Jonah
Jonah front
Introduction to Jonah
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of Jonah
- Jonah tries to run away from Yahweh (1:1-2:10)
- Jonah disobeys Yahweh’s first call to go to Nineveh (1:1–3)
- Jonah and the Gentile sailors (1:4–16)
- Yahweh provides a large fish to swallow Jonah, and he prays and is rescued (1:17–2:10)
- Jonah in Nineveh (3:1-4:11)
- Yahweh again calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, and Jonah proclaims Yahweh’s message (3:1–4)
- Nineveh repents (3:5-9)
- Yahweh decides not to destroy Nineveh (3:10)
- Jonah is very angry with Yahweh (4:1–3)
- Yahweh teaches Jonah about grace and mercy (4:4–11)
What is the Book of Jonah about?
Jonah, son of Amittai, was a prophet from Gath Hepher (2 Kings 14:25). This book tells about what happened to Jonah. It tells how Yahweh shows mercy and grace to Gentiles. It also tells how the Ninevites repented and called out to Yahweh for mercy. (See: mercy, merciful, grace, gracious and repent, repentance)
Yahweh sent Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that he was ready to punish them. Yahweh said that if they would repent he would not harm them. However, Jonah was an Israelite and he did not want the Ninevites to repent. So Jonah tried to sail away in the opposite direction instead of doing what Yahweh told him to do. But Yahweh stopped him by sending a storm and a large fish to swallow him.
Jonah repented and warned the Ninevites. As a result, Yahweh taught him that he is concerned about all people, not just the Israelites.
How should the title of this book be translated?
This book is traditionally titled The Book of Jonah or just Jonah. Translators may decide to use a clearer title such as The Book about Jonah. (See: How to Translate Names)
Who wrote the Book of Jonah?
Jonah was probably involved in the writing of this book. However, scholars do not know who actually wrote it.
Jonah lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied sometime between 800 and 750 B.C. during the reign of King Jeroboam II.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What was the nation of Assyria?
During the time of Jonah, Assyria was the most powerful kingdom in the ancient Near East. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria.
Assyria was cruel to its enemies. Eventually, Yahweh punished the Assyrians for the wicked things they did.
Did Assyria convert to Judaism?
Some scholars think that the Assyrians started worshiping Yahweh alone. However, most scholars think they continued to worship other false gods. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)
Jonah 1
Jonah 01 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The narrative of this chapter starts abruptly. This could cause difficulty for the translator. The translator should not attempt to smooth this introduction unless absolutely necessary.
Special concepts in this chapter
Miracle
In verse Jonah 17, there is the mention of a great fish. It may be difficult to imagine a sea creature big enough to swallow a man whole and who then survives for three days and nights inside. Translators should not try to explain miraculous events in an attempt to make it easier to understand. (See: miracle, wonder, sign)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Situational irony
There is an ironic situation in this chapter. Jonah is a prophet of God and should endeavor to do God’s will. Instead, he is running away from God. Although the Gentile sailors are not Israelites, they act out of faith and fear of Yahweh when sending Jonah to a certain death by throwing him overboard. (See: Irony, prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and will of God and faith)
Sea
People in the ancient Near East also saw the sea as chaotic and did not trust it. Some of the gods they worshiped were gods of the sea. Jonah’s people, the Hebrews, feared the sea greatly. However, Jonah’s fear of Yahweh was not enough to keep him from going into a ship and sailing to get away from Yahweh. His actions are contrasted by the actions of the Gentiles. (See: Irony and fear)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Implicit information
Even though no one knows for sure where Tarshish was, the writer assumes that the reader knows that Jonah had to face away from Nineveh to go there. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jonah 1:1
וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה
This phrase introduces the first half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the second half of the story (3:1). (See: Introduction of a New Event)
וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה
This is an idiom that means Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: Idiom)
דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה
the message of Yahweh
יְהוָ֔ה
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
אֲמִתַּ֖י
This is the name of Jonah’s father. (See: How to Translate Names)
Jonah 1:2
ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָעִ֥יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה
Go to the important city of Nineveh
ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ
This is a common expression for traveling to distant places. (See: Idiom)
וּקְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑יהָ
God is referring to the people of the city. Alternate translation: “warn the people” (See: Metonymy)
עָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖ם לְפָנָֽ
I know they have been continually sinning
Jonah 1:3
וַיָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִבְרֹ֣חַ
But ran away from Yahweh. got up is referring to Jonah leaving where he was. (See: Idiom)
מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה
Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. (See: Metonymy)
לִבְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה
to flee to Tarshish. Tarshish was in the opposite direction to Nineveh. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and went in the opposite direction, toward Tarshish, away” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
וַיֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ
Jonah went to Joppa
אָנִיָּ֣ה
A ship is a very large type of boat that can travel on the sea and carry many passengers or heavy cargo.
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜הּ
There Jonah paid for the trip
וַיֵּ֤רֶד בָּהּ֙
got on the ship
עִמָּהֶם֙
The word them refers to the others who were going on the ship.
מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה
Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “from Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)
Jonah 1:4
וַֽיהוָ֗ה הֵטִ֤יל רֽוּחַ־גְּדוֹלָה֙ אֶל־הַיָּ֔ם
This clause introduces the new event of Yahweh’s response to Jonah running away. (See: Introduction of a New Event)
לְהִשָּׁבֵֽר
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “to break apart” (See: Active or Passive)
Jonah 1:5
הַמַּלָּחִ֗ים
the men who worked on the ship
אֱלֹהָיו֒
Here god refers to false gods and idols that people worship.
וַיָּטִ֨לוּ אֶת־הַכֵּלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּֽאֳנִיָּה֙
The men threw the heavy things off the ship. This was done to keep the ship from sinking.
לְהָקֵ֖ל מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Making the ship lighter would make if float better. Alternate translation: “to help the ship float better”
וְיוֹנָ֗ה יָרַד֙ אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַסְּפִינָ֔ה
Jonah did this before the storm started. (See: Background Information)
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַסְּפִינָ֔ה
inside the ship
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַיֵּרָדַֽם
and was lying there fast asleep or and was lying there and sleeping deeply. For this reason, the storm did not wake him up.
Jonah 1:6
וַיִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָיו֙ רַ֣ב הַחֹבֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ
The man in charge of the ship went to Jonah and said
מַה־לְּךָ֣ נִרְדָּ֑ם
Why are you sleeping? He used this rhetorical question to scold Jonah. Alternate translation: “Stop sleeping!” (See: Rhetorical Question)
ק֚וּם
This refers to doing some activity. For Jonah, the Captain is telling him to wake up and pray to his god for safe passage. (See: Idiom)
קְרָ֣א אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
Pray to your god! Call refers to getting the attention of someone. (See: Idiom)
אוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖נוּ וְלֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד
The implicit information that Jonah’s god might save them could be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Maybe your god will hear and save us so that we will not die” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jonah 1:7
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗הוּ
The sailors all said to each other
לְכוּ֙ וְנַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּשֶׁלְּמִ֛י הָרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑נוּ
We should cast lots to know who has caused this trouble. The men believed that the gods would control how the lots fell in order to tell them what they wanted to know. This was a form of divination.
הָרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את
This refers to the terrible storm.
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל הַגּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־יוֹנָֽה
the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person
Jonah 1:8
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו
Then the men who were working on the ship said to Jonah
הַגִּידָה־נָּ֣א לָ֔נוּ בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר לְמִי־הָרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑נוּ
Who caused this bad thing that is happening to us?
Jonah 1:9
יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א
The word fear refers to Jonah having a deep respect for God.
Jonah 1:10
מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ
The men on the ship used this rhetorical question to show how angry they were at Jonah. Alternate translation: “You have done a terrible thing!” (See: Rhetorical Question)
מִלִּפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙
Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “from Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)
כִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָהֶֽם
What he told them can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “because he had said to them, ‘I am trying to get away from Yahweh.’” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jonah 1:11
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ אֵלָיו֙
Then the men on the ship said to Jonah or Then the sailors said to Jonah
מַה־נַּ֣עֲשֶׂה לָּ֔ךְ וְיִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַיָּ֖ם מֵֽעָלֵ֑ינוּ
What should we do with you in order to make the sea become calm?
הַיָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵֽר
This was the reason that the men asked Jonah what they should do. This reason can also be put at the beginning of verse 11 as in the UST.
Jonah 1:12
כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְשֶׁלִּ֔י הַסַּ֧עַר הַגָּד֛וֹל הַזֶּ֖ה עֲלֵיכֶֽם
because I know this huge storm is my fault
Jonah 1:13
וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְהָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה
The men did not want to throw Jonah into the sea, so they rowed hard as if they were digging into the water to get back to land. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
הַיָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵ֖ר
the storm became worse, and the waves became bigger
Jonah 1:14
וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ
Because of this or Because the sea became more violent
וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה
Therefore the men prayed to Yahweh
אָנָּ֤ה
In this context, the word Ah! shows intense desperation. Represent this emotion in the most natural way for your language. (See: Exclamations)
אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אַל־נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּנֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֔ה
O Yahweh, please do not kill us because we caused this man to die or O Yahweh, we are going to cause this man to die. But please do not kill us
וְאַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא
and please do not blame us for his death or and do not consider us guilty when this man dies. The author speaks of guilt as if it were an object that can be placed on top of a person. It refers to making that person accountable for their actions. (See: Metaphor)
Jonah 1:15
וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַיָּ֖ם מִזַּעְפּֽוֹ
the sea stopped moving violently or the sea became calm
Jonah 1:16
וַיִּֽירְא֧וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה
Then the men became greatly awed at Yahweh’s power
Jonah 1:17
Some versions number this verse as the first verse of chapter 2. You may want to number the verses according to the main version that your language group uses.
וַיְמַ֤ן יְהוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִבְלֹ֖עַ אֶת־יוֹנָ֑ה
This clause introduces the next part of the story, where Yahweh saves Jonah from the sea, and Jonah prays. (See: Introduction of a New Event)
וַיְמַ֤ן
The word Now is used in English to introduce a new part of the story. (See: Introduction of a New Event)
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת
three days and nights
Jonah 2
Jonah 02 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter begins with a prayer by Jonah, and many translators have chosen to set it apart by setting its lines farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. Translators can follow this practice, but they are not obligated to.
Special concepts in this chapter
Sea
This chapter contains many terms from the sea.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Poetry
Prayers in Scripture often contain a poetic form. Poetry frequently uses metaphors to communicate something with a special meaning. For example, since Jonah was in a fish in the sea, being trapped is compared to a prison. Jonah is overwhelmed by the depth of the sea and expresses this by speaking about at the base of the mountains and in the belly of Sheol. (See: Metaphor)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Repentance
Scholars are divided over whether Jonah’s repentance was genuine or whether he was trying to save his life. In light of his attitude in chapter 4, it is uncertain if he was genuinely repentant. If possible, it is best for translators to avoid making a definitive stance on whether Jonah’s repentance was genuine. (See: repent, repentance and save, saved, safe, salvation)
Jonah 2:1
יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו
This means Yahweh, the God he worshiped. The word his does not mean that Jonah owned God.
Jonah 2:2
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
Jonah said
קָ֠רָאתִי מִצָּ֥רָה לִ֛י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה
I prayed to Yahweh about my great trouble. Even though Jonah was praying to Yahweh, he used Yahweh’s name here and not you. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, I called out to you about my distress”
וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִי
Yahweh responded to me or he helped me
מִבֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל
from the center of Sheol or from the deep part of Sheol. Possible meanings are 1) Jonah was speaking as being in the belly of the whale was being in Sheol or 2) Jonah believed that he was about to die and go to Sheol or 3) He spoke as if he already had died and gone there. (See: Metaphor)
Jonah 2:3
מְצוּלָה֙ בִּלְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים
Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of the vastness of the ocean he was in. (See: Parallelism)
בִּלְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים
to the bottom of the sea
וְנָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי כָּל־מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥יךָ וְגַלֶּ֖יךָ עָלַ֥י עָבָֽרוּ
Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of the waters of the sea that closed in around him. (See: Parallelism)
וְנָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי
the sea water closed in around me
מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥יךָ וְגַלֶּ֖יךָ
These are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. (See: Doublet)
Jonah 2:4
וַאֲנִ֣י
This expression in English shows that there is a contrast between the actions of Yahweh, which Jonah had just talked about, and his own response. Alternate translation: “Then I” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)
נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי
ssion in English shows that there is a contrast between the people Jonah had just spoken about and himself. They paid attention to useless gods, but he would worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “But I”
מִנֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑יךָ
Here Yahweh is represented by his eyes. Alternate translation: “from you” (See: Synecdoche)
אַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְהַבִּ֔יט אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁךָ
Jonah has hope that, in spite of all he is going through, he will see the temple.
Jonah 2:5
אֲפָפ֤וּנִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי
Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of his hopeless situation as he was drowning in the sea. (See: Parallelism)
מַ֨יִם֙
The waters refers to the sea.
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
Some versions understand the Hebrew word in this expression to mean my life. In that interpretation, the waters were about to take away Jonah’s life.
תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי
the deep water was all around me
ס֖וּף
grass that grows in the sea
Jonah 2:6
הָאָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥יהָ בַעֲדִ֖י לְעוֹלָ֑ם
Jonah used a metaphor to compare the earth to a prison. Alternate translation: “the earth was like a prison that was about to lock me in forever” (See: Metaphor)
וַתַּ֧עַל מִשַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖י
Jonah speaks of the place of the dead as if it were a pit. Alternate translation: “But you saved my life from the place of the dead” or “But you saved me from the place where the dead people are” (See: Metaphor)
יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽי
In some languages, it may be more natural to put this at the beginning of the sentence or next to the word you.
Jonah 2:7
בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַי֙ נַפְשִׁ֔י
Jonahs says that he remembered Yahweh when he had lost hope of being rescued from the sea. (See: Connect - Simultaneous Time Relationship)
אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה זָכָ֑רְתִּי
Since Jonah was praying to Yahweh, it might be more clear in some languages to say “I thought about you, Yahweh” or “Yahweh, I thought about you.”
וַתָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ תְּפִלָּתִ֔י אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁךָ
Jonah speaks as if his prayers could travel to God and his temple. Alternate translation: “then you in your holy temple heard my prayer” (See: Metaphor)
Jonah 2:8
מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא
People who pay attention to useless gods
חַסְדָּ֖ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ
are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them
Jonah 2:9
וַאֲנִ֗י
This expression in English shows that there is a contrast between the people Jonah had just spoken about and himself. They paid attention to useless gods, but he would worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “But I” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)
בְּק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔ךְ
This means that Jonah would thank God while he offered a sacrifice to him. It is not clear whether Jonah planned to thank God by singing or shouting joyfully.
יְשׁוּעָ֖תָה לַיהוָֽה
This can be reworded so that the abstract noun salvation is expressed as the verb save. Alternate translation: “Yahweh is the one who saves people” (See: Abstract Nouns)
Jonah 2:10
אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָֽׁה
upon the ground or onto the shore
Jonah 3
Jonah 03 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter returns to a narrative of Jonah’s life.
Special concepts in this chapter
Animals
According to the king’s proclamation, the animals had to participate in the fast he ordered. This most likely reflects their pagan mindset. There was nothing in the law of Moses that instructed the people to have the animals participate in any religious acts. (See: law of Moses, God’s law, law of Yahweh, the law)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Size of Nineveh
When the author talks about the size of Nineveh, the measurements he gives are confusing. The phrase three days’ journey is ambiguous in Hebrew, as many scholars have remarked. In Jonah’s day, cities were not as big as they are today. So although Nineveh was a big city, it was not as big as most modern cities.
God repenting or relenting
The last verse of this chapter says, So then God changed his mind about the punishment that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. This concept of God changing His mind may be troubling for some translators and people may struggle to understand it. God’s character is consistent. This whole book is written from a human viewpoint and so it is hard to understand the mind of God.
Yahweh is just and merciful so even though God did not follow through with a judgment in this instance, God’s plan is always to punish evil. Later in history this nation did fall and was destroyed. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification, mercy, merciful and judge, judgment and evil, wicked, unpleasant)
Jonah 3:1
וַיְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה
This phrase introduces the second half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the first half of the story (1:1). (See: Introduction of a New Event)
וַיְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה
This is an idiom that means Yahweh spoke. See how you translated this in 1:1. Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: Idiom)
Jonah 3:2
ק֛וּם לֵ֥ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה
Go to the important city of Nineveh
ק֛וּם
This refers to leaving the place one is at. (See: Idiom)
וִּקְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֶת־הַקְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ
tell the people what I tell you to tell them
Jonah 3:3
וַיָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֶ֖ה כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה
This time Jonah obeyed Yahweh and went to Nineveh
כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה
Here word represents Yahweh’s message. Alternate translation: “the message of Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)
וַיָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה
So Jonah left the beach. The words got up refer to preparing to go somewhere. (See: Idiom)
וְנִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים
This sentence gives background information about the city of Nineveh. (See: Background Information)
עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים
a very large city that was three days across. A person had to walk for three days to completely go through it. (See: Idiom)
Jonah 3:4
מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַיִּקְרָא֙
Possible meanings are 1) after Jonah walked a day’s journey he called out or 2) while Jonah walked on the first day, he called out.
מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד
after a day’s walk. A day’s journey is the distance that people would normally travel in one day. Alternate translation: “after Jonah walked for one day”
וַיִּקְרָא֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר
and he proclaimed or and he shouted
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם
forty days (See: Numbers)
Jonah 3:5
וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים
Why people put on sackcloth can be stated more clearly. Alternate translation: “They also put on coarse cloth to show that they were sorry for having sinned” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
מִגְּדוֹלָ֖ם וְעַד־קְטַנָּֽם
from the most significant to the least significant people or including all the important people and all the unimportant people
Jonah 3:6
הַדָּבָר֙
Jonah’s message
וַיָּ֨קָם֙ מִכִּסְא֔וֹ
He got up from his throne or He stood up from his throne. The king left his throne to show that he was acting humbly.
מִכִּסְא֔וֹ
A throne is a chair that the king sits on. It shows that he is the king.
Jonah 3:7
וַיַּזְעֵ֗ק וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙…לֵאמֹ֑ר
He sent out an official announcement that said or He sent his messengers to announce to the people in Nineveh
וּגְדֹלָ֖יו
important men who helped the king rule the city
הַבָּקָ֣ר וְהַצֹּ֗אן
This refers to two kinds of animals that people care for. Alternate translation: “cattle nor sheep”
אַ֨ל־יִרְע֔וּ וּמַ֖יִם אַל־יִשְׁתּֽוּ
They must not eat nor drink anything. The reason they were not to eat or drink anything can be made explicit by adding in order to show that they are sorry for their sins. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jonah 3:8
וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֗ים הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But let people and animals wear sackcloth” or “But let people cover themselves and their animals with sackcloth” (See: Active or Passive)
וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ…הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
But let both
וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
The word animal refers to animals that people own.
וְיִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּחָזְקָ֑ה
pray earnestly to God. What they were to pray for can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “let them cry out loudly to God and ask for mercy” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
הֶחָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּכַפֵּיהֶֽם
This means the violent things that he does. This refers to each of the people of Nineveh, and not to God.
Jonah 3:9
מִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ
The king used this rhetorical question to get the people to think about something that they might not have thought possible, that if they would stop sinning, God might not kill them. It could be translated as a statement: “We do not know”. Or it could be stated as a word and be part of the next sentence: “Perhaps”. (See: Rhetorical Question)
יָשׁ֔וּב וְנִחַ֖ם הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים
God may decide to do something different or God may not do what he said he will do
וְלֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד
so we do not die
Jonah 3:10
וַיַּ֤רְא הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם
God understood that they stopped doing evil actions
שָׁ֖בוּ מִדַּרְכָּ֣ם הָרָעָ֑ה
The author speaks of the people stop sinning as if they turned their back to an object. (See: Metaphor)
וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־הָרָעָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר לַעֲשׂוֹת־לָהֶ֖ם
Here God deciding not to do the punishment he had planned is spoken of is if he changed his mind. Alternate translation: “So God changed his thinking about the punishment that he had said he would do to them” or “Then God decided not to punish them as he had said he would” (See: Metaphor)
וְלֹ֥א עָשָֽׂה
What God did not do can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and he did not punish them” or “and he did not destroy them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jonah 4
Jonah 04 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Jonah continues the narrative while bringing the book to what seems like an unusual end. This emphasizes that the book is not really about Jonah. It is about God’s desire to be merciful on anyone, whether Jew or pagan. (See: mercy, merciful)
Special concepts in this chapter
Jonah’s anger
It is important to see the relationship between a prophet and Yahweh. Aprophet was to prophesy for Yahweh, and his words must come true. According to the law of Moses, if that did not happen, the penalty was death. When Jonah told the city of Nineveh that it was going to be destroyed in forty days, he was certain it was going to happen. When it did not happen, Jonah was angry with God because he hated the people of Nineveh. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and law of Moses, God’s law, law of Yahweh, the law)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Rhetorical questions
As in other places, Jonah asks rhetorical questions to show how angry he was at Yahweh. (See: Rhetorical Question)
Parallel to Mount Sinai
In verse 2, Jonah attributes a series of characteristics to God. A Jewish reader of this book would recognize this as a formula Moses used in speaking about God when he was meeting God on Mount Sinai. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
God’s grace
When Jonah went outside the city, he got very hot and God graciously provided some relief through the plant. God was trying to teach Jonah through an object lesson. It is important for the reader to see this clearly. (See: grace, gracious)
Jonah 4:1
וַיֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה רָעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַיִּ֖חַר לֽוֹ׃
This sentence introduces the next part of the story where Jonah responds to God saving the city of Nineveh. (See: Introduction of a New Event)
וַיִּ֖חַר
Here Jonah's anger is spoken of as if was a fire burning inside him. (See: Metaphor)
Jonah 4:2
אָנָּ֤ה
In this context, the word Ah! shows intense frustration. Represent this emotion in the most natural way for your language. (See: Exclamations)
אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗י עַד־הֱיוֹתִי֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔י
Jonah used this rhetorical question to show God how angry he was. Also, what Jonah said when he was back in his own country can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “Now Yahweh, when I was still in my own country I knew that if I warned the people of Nineveh, they would repent, and you would not destroy them.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
וְרַב־חֶ֔סֶד
and very faithful or and you love people very much
וְנִחָ֖ם עַל־הָרָעָֽה
This means and you say that you will send disaster on sinners, but then you decide not to. Alternate translation: “and you decide not to punish people who sin”
Jonah 4:3
קַח־נָ֥א אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖י מִמֶּ֑נִּי
Jonah’s reason for wanting to die can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “since you will not destroy Nineveh as you said you would, please allow me to die” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
כִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵחַיָּֽי
I would prefer to die than live or because I want to die. I do not want to live
Jonah 4:4
הַהֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽךְ
God used this rhetorical question to scold Jonah for being angry about something he should not have been angry about. Alternate translation: “Your anger is not good.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
Jonah 4:5
וַיֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָעִ֔יר
Then Jonah left the city of Nineveh
מַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּעִֽיר
what would become of the city. Jonah wanted to see if God would destroy the city or not destroy it. Alternate translation: “what God would do to the city”
Jonah 4:6
מֵעַ֣ל לְיוֹנָ֗ה לִֽהְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔וֹ
over Jonah’s head for shade
לְהַצִּ֥יל ל֖וֹ מֵרָֽעָת֑וֹ
to protect Jonah from the heat of the sun
Jonah 4:7
וַיְמַ֤ן הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת
But God sent a worm
וַתַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן
The worm chewed the plant
וַיִּיבָֽשׁ
The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “so that the plant died”
Jonah 4:8
וַיְהִ֣י׀ כִּזְרֹ֣חַ הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ
The hot wind from the east started blowing shortly after the sun rose. (See: Connect - Background Information)
וַיְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית
God caused a hot wind from the east to blow on Jonah. If wind can only mean a cool or cold wind then you can try this. Alternate translation: “God sent a very hot warmth from the east to Jonah” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
וַתַּ֥ךְ הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ
the sun was very hot
עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ יוֹנָ֖ה
Jonah may have felt the heat most on his head. Alternate translation: “on Jonah” (See: Synecdoche)
וַיִּתְעַלָּ֑ף
and he became very weak or and he lost his strength
ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵחַיָּֽי
I would prefer to die than live or I want to die. I do not want to live. See how you translated this in 4:3.
Jonah 4:9
הַהֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְךָ֖ עַל־הַקִּֽיקָי֑וֹן
God challenges Jonah for being angry that the plant died and yet wanted God to kill the people of Nineveh. Alternate translation: “Your anger about the plant dying is not good.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
הַהֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְךָ֖ עַל־הַקִּֽיקָי֑וֹן
Implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “You should be more concerned about the people in Nineveh dying than about the plant dying.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
הֵיטֵ֥ב חָֽרָה־לִ֖י עַד־מָֽוֶת
It is good that I am angry. Now I am angry enough to die!
Jonah 4:10
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה
It may be helpful to say that Yahweh was speaking to Jonah. Alternate translation: “Yahweh said to Jonah” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jonah 4:11
וַֽאֲנִי֙
The expression in English shows a comparison between Jonah’s attitude toward the plant and Yahweh’s attitude toward the people of Nineveh. (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)
וַֽאֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽשְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣וֹ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה
God used this question to emphasize his claim that he should have compassion on Nineveh. Alternate translation: “I certainly should have compassion for Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand, and also many cattle.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡הּ הַרְבֵּה֩
This can also be the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: There are more than or It has more than
מִֽשְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם
one hundred and twenty thousand people (See: Numbers)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣וֹ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ
This may be a way of saying who cannot tell the difference between right and wrong.
וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה
The author is pointing out the depth of Nineveh’s repentance to the extent that Yahweh takes note of the beasts’ participation in the act of repentance. (See: Background Information)