יונה, פרק ד׳, פסוק ג׳

Jonah reaches a deep breaking point, preferring death over life following the outcome of his mission. The primary approach among commentators is that his pain stems from a severe concern for the future of the Israelites. While the people of Nineveh have been saved through their repentance, the Israelites remain unrepentant. Jonah understands this stark contrast and fears that the newly spared city of Nineveh will eventually be used as an instrument of punishment against his own people [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

Carrying a heavy burden of guilt, Jonah views himself as the direct cause of Nineveh's survival and, consequently, the future disaster awaiting the Israelites [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. He pleads with God to take his life so that he will not have to witness the destruction and suffering of his nation [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. This intense devotion and willingness to die for the sake of his people strongly echoes the prayer of Moses, who also asked God to end his life rather than force him to watch the downfall of the Israelites [רד״ק, אבן עזרא].

In contrast to this national concern, another perspective suggests that Jonah's desire to die stems from a deep sense of personal and professional humiliation. Having publicly warned that Nineveh would be overthrown, the city's survival leaves him looking like a liar. The overwhelming shame of this unfulfilled prophecy drives him to the point where he feels that death is simply better than life [ביאור שטיינזלץ].