JON front intro hk4p 0 # Introduction to Jonah<br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the Book of Jonah<br><br>1. Jonah tries to run away from Yahweh (1:1-2:10)<br>- Jonah disobeys Yahweh’s first call to go to Nineveh (1:1–3)<br>- Jonah and the Gentile sailors (1:4–16)<br>- Yahweh provides a large fish to swallow Jonah (1:17)<br>- Jonah prays from inside the fish and is rescued (2:1–10)<br>1. Jonah in Nineveh (3:1-4:11)<br>- Yahweh again calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, and Jonah proclaims Yahweh’s message (3:1–4)<br>- Nineveh repents (3:5-9)<br>- Yahweh decides not to destroy Nineveh (3:10)<br>- Jonah is very angry with Yahweh (4:1–3)<br>- Yahweh teaches Jonah about grace and mercy (4:4–11)<br><br>### What is the Book of Jonah about?<br><br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])<br><br>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.<br><br>Jonah repented and warned the Ninevites. As a result, Yahweh taught him that he is concerned about all people, not just the Israelites.<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>### Who wrote the Book of Jonah?<br><br>Jonah was probably involved in the writing of this book. However, scholars do not know who actually wrote it.<br><br>Jonah lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied sometime between 800 and 750 B.C. during the reign of King Jeroboam II.<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### What was the nation of Assyria?<br><br>During the time of Jonah, Assyria was the most powerful kingdom in the ancient Near East. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria.<br><br>Assyria was cruel to its enemies. Eventually, Yahweh punished the Assyrians for the wicked things they did.<br><br>### Did Assyria convert to Judaism?<br><br>Some scholars think that the Assyrians started worshiping Yahweh alone. However, most scholars think they continued to worship other false gods. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])<br>
JON 1 intro xvp2 0 # Jonah 01 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>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.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Miracle<br><br>In verse [Jonah 17](./17.md), 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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/miracle]])<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Situational irony<br><br>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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/willofgod]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])<br><br>### Sea<br><br>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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/fear]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Implicit information<br><br>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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br>
JON 1 1 ll6c figs-idiom וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־ יְהוָ֔ה 1 Now the word of Yahweh came This is an idiom that means Yahweh spoke. “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 1 qa3z דְּבַר־ יְהוָ֔ה 1 the word of Yahweh “the message of Yahweh”
JON 1 1 s6av יְהוָ֔ה 1 Yahweh 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.
JON 1 2 v2xt figs-idiom ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ 1 Get up and go This is a common expression for traveling to distant places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 2 jqz9 figs-metonymy וּקְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑יהָ 1 speak out against it God is referring to the people of the city. Alternate translation: “warn the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 1 2 rki2 עָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖ם לְפָנָֽ 1 their wickedness has risen up before me “I know they have been continually sinning”
JON 1 3 f5sr figs-idiom וַיָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִבְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה 1 But Jonah got up to run away to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh “ran away from Yahweh.” “got up” is referring to Jonah leaving where he was. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 3 n96t figs-metonymy מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה 1 from the presence of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 1 3 g66v figs-explicit לִבְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה 1 to run away to Tarshish “and went to Tarshish.” Tarshish was in the opposite direction to Nineveh. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “went in the opposite direction, toward Tarshish” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 1 3 djv1 וַיֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ 1 He went down to Joppa “Jonah went to Joppa”
JON 1 3 w3uc אָנִיָּ֣ה 1 ship A “ship” is a very large type of boat that can travel on the sea and carry many passengers or heavy cargo.
JON 1 3 pz67 וַיִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜הּ 1 So he paid the fare “There Jonah paid for the trip”
JON 1 3 g5xp וַיֵּ֤רֶד בָּהּ֙ 1 went down into it “got on the ship”
JON 1 3 i6bi עִמָּהֶם֙ 1 with them The word “them” refers to the others who were going on the ship.
JON 1 3 sw66 figs-metonymy מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה 1 away from the presence of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “away from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 1 4 jl77 figs-activepassive לְהִשָּׁבֵֽר 1 to be broken up This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “to break apart” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JON 1 5 u2bj אֱלֹהָיו֒ 1 his own god Here “god” refers to false gods and idols that people worship.
JON 1 5 sh1b וַיָּטִ֨לוּ אֶת־ הַכֵּלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּֽאֳנִיָּה֙ 1 They threw the cargo that was in the ship “The men threw the heavy things off the ship.” This was done to keep the ship from sinking.
JON 1 5 tg27 לְהָקֵ֖ל מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם 1 to lighten it Making the ship lighter would make if float better. Alternate translation: “to help the ship float better”
JON 1 5 uzt4 וְיוֹנָ֗ה יָרַד֙ אֶל־ יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַסְּפִינָ֔ה 1 But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship Jonah did this before the storm started.
JON 1 5 f63r יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַסְּפִינָ֔ה 1 the innermost parts of the ship “inside the ship”
JON 1 5 g4y4 וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַיֵּרָדַֽם 1 had lain down and was deeply asleep “was lying there fast asleep” or “was lying there and sleeping deeply.” For this reason, the storm did not wake him up.
JON 1 6 laa3 וַיִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָיו֙ רַ֣ב הַחֹבֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ 1 So the captain came to him and said to him “The man in charge of the ship went to Jonah and said”
JON 1 6 yx7e figs-rquestion מַה־ לְּךָ֣ נִרְדָּ֑ם 1 What are you doing sleeping? “Why are you sleeping?” He used this rhetorical question to scold Jonah. Alternate translation: “Stop sleeping!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 1 6 bd4f figs-idiom ק֚וּם 1 Get up! 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 6 k7a5 figs-idiom קְרָ֣א אֶל־ אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ 1 Call upon your god! “Pray to your god!” “Call” refers to getting the attention of someone. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 6 sk7i figs-explicit אוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖נוּ וְלֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 Maybe your god will notice us and we will not perish 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 1 7 sc57 וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־ רֵעֵ֗הוּ 1 They all said to each other “The sailors all said to each other”
JON 1 7 l5xq לְכוּ֙ וְנַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּשֶׁלְּמִ֛י הָרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑נוּ 1 Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this evil is happening to us “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.
JON 1 7 at67 וַיִּפֹּ֥ל הַגּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־ יוֹנָֽה 1 the lot fell to Jonah “the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person”
JON 1 8 wkh6 וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו 1 Then they said to him “Then the men who were working on the ship said to Jonah”
JON 1 8 e7wb הַגִּידָה־ נָּ֣א לָ֔נוּ בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר לְמִי־ הָרָעָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑נוּ 1 Please tell us on whose account this evil is happening to us “Who caused this bad thing that is happening to us?”
JON 1 9 wav5 יְהוָ֞ה ... אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א 1 I fear Yahweh The word “fear” refers Jonah having a deep respecting God.
JON 1 10 peg3 figs-rquestion מַה־ זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ 1 What is this that you have done? 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 1 10 us1r figs-metonymy מִלִּפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ ה֣וּא בֹרֵ֔חַ 1 he was running away from the presence of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Jonah was seeking to escape Yahweh as if Yahweh was present only in the land of Israel. Alternate translation: “Jonah was running away from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 1 10 hw1p figs-explicit כִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָהֶֽם 1 because he had told them. 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 1 11 kb4c וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ אֵלָיו֙ 1 they said to him “the men on the ship said to Jonah” or “the sailors said to Jonah”
JON 1 11 ik6d נַּ֣עֲשֶׂה לָּ֔ךְ וְיִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַיָּ֖ם מֵֽעָלֵ֑ינוּ 1 should we do to you so that the sea will calm down “do with you in order to make the sea become calm”
JON 1 11 wxr7 הַיָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵֽר 1 the sea became more and more violent 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.
JON 1 12 h982 כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְשֶׁלִּ֔י הַסַּ֧עַר הַגָּד֛וֹל הַזֶּ֖ה עֲלֵיכֶֽם 1 for I know that this great storm is happening to you because of me “because I know this huge storm is my fault”
JON 1 13 lcd3 figs-explicit וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְהָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־ הַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה 1 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to the land 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 1 13 m3iq הַיָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵ֖ר 1 the sea was becoming more and more violent “the storm became worse, and the waves became bigger”
JON 1 14 ap77 וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ 1 Therefore they cried out “Because of this” or “Because the sea became more violent”
JON 1 14 q2xq וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־ יְהוָ֜ה 1 they cried out to Yahweh “the men prayed to Yahweh”
JON 1 14 wz6z אַל־ ... נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּנֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֔ה 1 do not let us perish on account of the life of this man “Please do not kill us because we caused this man to die” or “We are going to cause this man to die. But please do not kill us”
JON 1 14 vv5t figs-metaphor וְאַל־ תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא 1 do not accuse us of shedding innocent blood “please do not blame us for his death” or “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 1 15 l9cf וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַיָּ֖ם מִזַּעְפּֽוֹ 1 the sea stopped raging “the sea stopped moving violently” or “the sea became calm”
JON 1 16 r3gs וַיִּֽירְא֧וּ ... יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה 1 feared Yahweh with a great fear “became greatly awed at Yahweh’s power”
JON 1 17 q87y 0 General Information: 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.
JON 1 17 cjb6 שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת 1 three days and three nights “three days and nights”
JON 2 intro ae4k 0 # Jonah 02 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>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.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Sea<br>This chapter contains many terms from the sea.<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Poetry<br>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 the at the “base of the mountains” and in the “belly of Sheol.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Repentance<br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]])<br>
JON 2 1 alr2 יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו 1 Yahweh his God This means “Yahweh, the God he worshiped.” The word “his” does not mean that Jonah owned God.
JON 2 2 al5b וַיֹּ֗אמֶר 1 He said “Jonah said”
JON 2 2 s7fi קָ֠רָאתִי מִצָּ֥רָה לִ֛י אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה 1 I called out to Yahweh about my distress “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”
JON 2 2 wdr4 וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִי 1 he answered me “Yahweh responded to me” or “he helped me”
JON 2 2 w8wn figs-metaphor מִבֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל 1 from the belly of Sheol “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 2 3 n5wa 1 General Information: This is a continuation of Jonah’s prayer that started in [Jonah 2:2](../02/02.md). In verse 4 Jonah spoke of something he had prayed before this prayer.
JON 2 3 bz4y figs-parallelism מְצוּלָה֙ בִּלְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים 1 into the depths, into the heart of the seas This speaks of the vastness of the ocean Jonah was in. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JON 2 3 c6jx figs-doublet מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥יךָ וְגַלֶּ֖יךָ 1 your billows and your waves These are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
JON 2 4 x1w9 figs-activepassive נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי 1 I am driven out This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You have driven me away” or “You have sent me away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JON 2 4 z1yx figs-synecdoche מִנֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑יךָ 1 from before your eyes Here Yahweh is represented by his “eyes.” Alternate translation: “from you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JON 2 4 b8vk figs-rquestion אַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְהַבִּ֔יט אֶל־ הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁךָ 1 yet I will again look toward your holy temple Jonah has hope that, in spite of all he is going through, he will see the temple. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 2 5 pu5q 0 General Information: This is a continuation of Jonah’s prayer that started in [Jonah 2:2](../02/02.md).
JON 2 5 rf4b מַ֨יִם֙ 1 The waters “The waters” refers to the sea.
JON 2 5 ca31 נֶ֔פֶשׁ 1 my soul 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.
JON 2 5 nr3v תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי 1 the deep swirled around me “the deep water was all around me”
JON 2 6 z36i figs-metaphor הָאָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥יהָ בַעֲדִ֖י לְעוֹלָ֑ם 1 the earth with its bars closed upon me forever 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 2 6 dc3r figs-metaphor וַתַּ֧עַל מִשַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖י 1 Yet you brought up my life from the pit 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 2 6 i3mx יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽי 1 Yahweh, my God! In some languages, it may be more natural to put this at the beginning of the sentence or next to the word “you.”
JON 2 7 gm7v 0 General Information: This is a continuation of Jonah’s prayer that started in [Jonah 2:2](../02/02.md).
JON 2 7 l2b6 אֶת־ יְהוָ֖ה זָכָ֑רְתִּי 1 I remembered Yahweh 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.”
JON 2 7 ue9g figs-metaphor וַתָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ תְּפִלָּתִ֔י אֶל־ הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁךָ 1 then my prayer came to you, to your holy temple 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 2 8 u1l9 מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא 1 Those who give attention to useless idols “People pay attention to useless gods”
JON 2 8 fac9 חַסְדָּ֖ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ 1 forsake loving faithfulness “are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them”
JON 2 9 z2y4 0 General Information: This is a continuation of Jonah’s prayer that started in [Jonah 2:2](../02/02.md).
JON 2 9 q3yb וַאֲנִ֗י 1 But as for me 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”
JON 2 9 nfd2 בְּק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־ לָּ֔ךְ 1 I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving 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.
JON 2 9 r4j4 figs-abstractnouns יְשׁוּעָ֖תָה לַיהוָֽה 1 Salvation is from Yahweh This can be reworded so that the abstract noun “salvation” is expressed as the verb “save.” “Yahweh is the one who saves people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
JON 2 10 dz3j אֶל־ הַיַּבָּשָֽׁה 1 upon the dry land “upon the ground” or “onto the shore”
JON 3 intro z3ut 0 # Jonah 03 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter returns to a narrative of Jonah’s life.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Animals<br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Size of Nineveh<br>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.<br><br>### God repenting or relenting<br>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.<br><br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])<br>
JON 3 1 xj6n figs-idiom וַיְהִ֧י דְבַר־ יְהוָ֛ה 1 The word of Yahweh came This is an idiom that means Yahweh spoke. See how you translated this in [Jonah 1:1](../01/01.md). Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 3 2 ve4i ק֛וּם לֵ֥ךְ אֶל־ נִֽינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה 1 Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city “Go to the important city of Nineveh”
JON 3 2 ir79 וִּקְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֶת־ הַקְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ 1 proclaim to it the message that I tell you “tell the people what I tell you to tell them”
JON 3 3 g4nk figs-metonymy כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה 1 the word of Yahweh Here “word” represents Yahweh’s message. Alternate translation: “the message of Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 3 3 k7k9 וַיָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־ נִֽינְוֶ֖ה כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה 1 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh “This time Jonah obeyed Yahweh and went to Nineveh”
JON 3 3 j8x1 figs-idiom וַיָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה 1 Jonah got up “Jonah left the beach.” The words “got up” refer to preparing to go somewhere. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 3 3 ye82 figs-idiom מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים 1 a journey of three days “a city of three days’ journey.” A person had to walk for three days to completely go through it. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 3 4 r2al מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַיִּקְרָא֙ 1 on the first day’s journey and he called out 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.”
JON 3 4 e1b9 מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד 1 on the first day’s journey “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”
JON 3 4 r94k וַיִּקְרָא֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר 1 he called out and said “he proclaimed” or “he shouted”
JON 3 4 q2nc translate-numbers אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם 1 forty days “40 days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
JON 3 5 e5lm figs-explicit וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים 1 put on sackcloth 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 3 5 isk5 מִגְּדוֹלָ֖ם וְעַד־ קְטַנָּֽם 1 from the greatest of them down to the least of them “from the most significant to the least significant people” or “including all the important people and all the unimportant people”
JON 3 6 pna3 הַדָּבָר֙ 1 word “Jonah’s message”
JON 3 6 h9wz וַיָּ֨קָם֙ מִכִּסְא֔וֹ 1 He rose up from his throne “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.
JON 3 7 v29b וַיַּזְעֵ֗ק וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ ... לֵאמֹ֑ר 1 He issued a proclamation and published it, saying “He sent out an official announcement that said” or “He sent his messengers to announce to the people in Nineveh”
JON 3 7 xw6c הַבָּקָ֣ר וְהַצֹּ֗אן 1 herd nor flock This refers to two kinds of animals that people care for. Alternate translation: “cattle or sheep”
JON 3 7 fw18 figs-explicit אַ֨ל־ יִרְע֔וּ וּמַ֖יִם אַל־ יִשְׁתּֽוּ 1 Let them not eat, nor drink water “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 3 8 x6ct וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ ... הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 But let man and animal “Let both”
JON 3 8 bmf5 figs-activepassive וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֗ים הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 let man and animal be covered with sackcloth This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “let people and animals wear sackcloth” or “let people cover themselves and their animals with sackcloth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JON 3 8 mzx6 וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 animal The word “animal” refers to animals that people own.
JON 3 8 jh7e figs-explicit וְיִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּחָזְקָ֑ה 1 let them cry out loudly to God “pray earnestly to God.” What they were to pray for can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “cry out loudly to God and ask for mercy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 3 8 n3ls הֶחָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּכַפֵּיהֶֽם 1 the violence that is in his hands This means “the violent things that he does”
JON 3 9 wbt6 figs-rquestion מִֽי־ יוֹדֵ֣עַ 1 Who knows? 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 3 9 z3jj יָשׁ֔וּב וְנִחַ֖ם הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 God may turn and relent “God may decide to do something different” or “God may not do what he said he will do”
JON 3 9 uvp9 וְלֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 so that we do not perish “we do not die.” Here perish equates to drowning at sea.
JON 3 10 w3uu וַיַּ֤רְא הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־ מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם 1 God saw their works “God understood that they stopped doing evil actions”
JON 3 10 k8am figs-metaphor שָׁ֖בוּ מִדַּרְכָּ֣ם הָרָעָ֑ה 1 they turned from their evil The author speaks of the people stop sinning as if they turned their back to an object. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 3 10 i1gp figs-metaphor וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־ הָרָעָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־ דִּבֶּ֥ר לַעֲשׂוֹת־ לָהֶ֖ם 1 So God relented concerning the disaster that he had said he would do to them Here God deciding not to do the punishment he had planned is spoken of is if he changed his mind. Alternate translation: “God changed his thinking about the punishment that he had said he would do to them” or “God decided not to punish them as he had said he would” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 3 10 it1a figs-explicit וְלֹ֥א עָשָֽׂה 1 he did not do it What God was to do can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “he did not punish them” or “he did not destroy them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 intro ys57 0 # Jonah 04 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]])<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Jonah’s anger<br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Rhetorical questions<br>As in other places, Jonah asks rhetorical questions to show how angry he was at Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])<br><br>### Parallel to Mount Sinai<br>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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### God’s grace<br>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: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]])<br>
JON 4 2 q6bb אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ 1 Ah, Yahweh The word “Ah” expresses Jonah’s feeling of frustration.
JON 4 2 k24b figs-rquestion הֲלוֹא־ זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗י עַד־ הֱיוֹתִי֙ עַל־ אַדְמָתִ֔י 1 is this not what I said when I was in my country? 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: “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 2 jv5c וְרַב־ חֶ֔סֶד 1 abundant in covenant faithfulness “very faithful” or “you love people very much”
JON 4 2 wl7j וְנִחָ֖ם עַל־ הָרָעָֽה 1 one who relents from sending disaster This means “you say that you will send disaster on sinners, but then you decide not to.” Alternate translation: “you decide not to punish people who sin”
JON 4 3 dm5t figs-explicit קַח־ ... אֶת־ נַפְשִׁ֖י 1 take my life from me 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 3 yk5v כִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵחַיָּֽי 1 for it is better for me to die than to live “I would prefer to die than live” or “because I want to die. I do not want to live”
JON 4 4 eb4a figs-rquestion הַהֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽךְ 1 Is it good for you to burn with anger? 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 4 5 q1f7 וַיֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־ הָעִ֔יר 1 Jonah went out of the city “left the city of Nineveh”
JON 4 5 af46 מַה־ יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּעִֽיר 1 what might become of the city “what would happen to the city.” Jonah wanted to see if God would destroy the city or not destroy it.
JON 4 6 i4r4 מֵעַ֣ל לְיוֹנָ֗ה לִֽהְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־ רֹאשׁ֔וֹ 1 over Jonah so that it might be shade over his head “over Jonah’s head for shade”
JON 4 6 t21k לְהַצִּ֥יל ל֖וֹ מֵרָֽעָת֑וֹ 1 to rescue him from his distress “to protect Jonah from the heat of the sun”
JON 4 7 t7il וַיְמַ֤ן הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת 1 But God prepared a worm “God sent a worm”
JON 4 7 rw7z וַתַּ֥ךְ אֶת־ הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן 1 It attacked the plant “The worm chewed the plant”
JON 4 7 d16m וַיִּיבָֽשׁ 1 so that it withered The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “the plant died”
JON 4 8 hmi4 figs-explicit וַיְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית 1 God prepared a hot east wind 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 8 mnu9 וַתַּ֥ךְ הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ 1 the sun beat down “the sun was very hot”
JON 4 8 u2pl figs-synecdoche עַל־ רֹ֥אשׁ יוֹנָ֖ה 1 on the head of Jonah Jonah may have felt the heat most on his head. Alternate translation: “on Jonah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JON 4 8 z95v וַיִּתְעַלָּ֑ף 1 he became faint “he became very weak” or “he lost his strength”
JON 4 8 eln6 ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵחַיָּֽי 1 It is better for me to die than to live “I would prefer to die than live” or “Because I want to die. I do not want to live.” See how you translated this in [Jonah 4:3](../04/03.md).
JON 4 9 a5f5 figs-rquestion הַהֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־ לְךָ֖ עַל־ הַקִּֽיקָי֑וֹן 1 Is it good for you to burn with anger about the plant? 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 4 9 w24z figs-explicit הַהֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־ לְךָ֖ עַל־ הַקִּֽיקָי֑וֹן 1 Is it good for you to burn with anger about the plant? 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 9 h43a הֵיטֵ֥ב חָֽרָה־ לִ֖י עַד־ מָֽוֶת 1 It is good for me to burn with anger, even to death “It is good that I am angry. Now I am angry enough to die!”
JON 4 10 gkz7 figs-explicit וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה 1 Yahweh said It may be helpful to say that Yahweh was speaking to Jonah. Alternate translation: “Yahweh said to Jonah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 11 ecl1 figs-rquestion לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־ נִינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה ... וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה 1 should I not have compassion for Nineveh, that great city ... and also many cattle? 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 important city ... cattle.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JON 4 11 dqi1 אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־ בָּ֡הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ 1 in which there are more than This can also be the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: “There are more” or “It has more”
JON 4 11 c3b7 translate-numbers מִֽשְׁתֵּים־ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם 1 one hundred and twenty thousand people 120,000 people (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
JON 4 11 j35h אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־ יָדַע֙ בֵּין־ יְמִינ֣וֹ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ 1 who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand This may be a way of saying “they cannot tell the difference between right and wrong.”
JON 4 11 q55i writing-background וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה 1 and also many cattle 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
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