Matthew Poole and continuators on Jonah 4:6

6 And the LORD God prepared a gourd , and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head , to deliver him from his grief . So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd .

Commanded that in the place where Ionah's booth stood, this Herb, or spreading plant should spring up to be a shade when the gathered boughes are withered.

'Tis not certain what this was, some say Ivy, others say 'twas Palma Christi, or five leaved, whose leafs are so set as to resemble a mans hand, or a wild Vine or Colocyntha, nor is it very material we should search farther into the nature of this [non-Latin text not transcribed] in the Text 'twas some wild Plant with long and broad leaves which suddenly grew, spread it self, and made a good shade.

God gave it a speedy growth, and directed the growth that it should cover the top of the gourd.

And be a shade to Ionah against the vehemence of the Sun which did shine very parchingly hot in those Countreys.

To give some ease to his Mind, refresh his Natural Spirits, much discomposed by the violence of his Passions and by the violent heat of the Sun. 'Tis probable this Grief was some extream fit of continued Head-ach.

As vehement in his Joy, now as in his Grief before, he was a man of great Affections whatever moved them.

His ease by the gourd made him glad of it, and I observe that here is no mention made of Ionah's seeing God in it.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span]; Heb. [illegible: 1 span]; [illegible: 1 letter]eb. rejoiced [illegible: 1 word] great joy.