וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֗ים הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה וְיִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּחָזְקָ֑ה וְיָשֻׁ֗בוּ אִ֚ישׁ מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ הָֽרָעָ֔ה וּמִן־הֶחָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּכַפֵּיהֶֽם׃
מענטשן און בהמות זאָלן זײַן צוגעדעקט מיט זאַק; און מע זאָל רופֿן צו גאָט מיט שטאַרקײט, און מע זאָל זיך אומקערן איטלעכער פֿון זײַן שלעכטן װעג, און פֿון דעם אומרעכט װאָס אין זײערע הענט.
Depths of Yonah
Abarbanel and Malbim
The approach articulated by Abarbanel and Malbim overcomes the preceding objection. They explain that Yonah in the large fish had made peace with the idea of Teshuvah. However, Yonah was furious that Hashem spared Nineveh despite their failing to do a complete Teshuvah91This is especially true according to Rabi Yochanan (Talmud Yerushalmi Taanit 2:1) and the Mahari Kra (Yonah 3:8) who believe that the people of Nineveh returned only the stolen items about which the victims were aware. .
The approach articulated by Abarbanel and Malbim overcomes the preceding objection. They explain that Yonah in the large fish had made peace with the idea of Teshuvah. However, Yonah was furious that Hashem spared Nineveh despite their failing to do a complete Teshuvah91This is especially true according to Rabi Yochanan (Talmud Yerushalmi Taanit 2:1) and the Mahari Kra (Yonah 3:8) who believe that the people of Nineveh returned only the stolen items about which the victims were aware. .
Depths of Yonah
Metzudat David’s approach fits well with Yonah 3:8 which records that the people of Nineveh covered themselves and their animals with sackcloth. Although the sackcloth does not impact the animals on any rational level, it does contribute to the somber atmosphere.
Depths of Yonah
Rabi Yochanan infers from Yonah 3:8 that Nineveh restored only the theft “in their hands” (i.e. known). However, the theft that was concealed was not returned. Thus, it is hardly surprising to discover Nineveh’s poor behavior reemerged by the time of Nachum.
Depths of Yonah
צוטריטלעך נאָר פֿאַר פּרעמיום־מיטגלידערRashi
ותמלא הארץ חמס AND THE EARTH WAS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE — means robbery.