Decoder Terminal
120000 PERSONS
CIVILIAN POPULATION — CANNOT TELL LEFT FROM RIGHT
INTELSpecs
population
120,000+
likely meaning
Children (cannot tell right from left)
theological point
Jonah's anger requires the death of children to be satisfied
Intelligence Brief
God's final words in the book: "Should I not have concern for Nineveh, with more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?" Most scholars read this as children — too young to know right from left. Jonah wants a city of children destroyed because of national pride. God's question exposes the monstrosity of Jonah's position.
Scripture References