JON front intro hk4p 0 # Introduction to Jonah<br><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, and he prays and is rescued (1:17–2:10)<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><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 jdr1 writing-newevent וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה 1 Now the word of Yahweh came This phrase introduces the first half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the second half of the story (3:1). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
JON 1 1 ll6c figs-idiom וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה 1 Now the word of Yahweh came This is an idiom that means Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 1 But Jonah got up to run away ***But 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 go to Tarshish ***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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 1 3 sw66 figs-metonymy מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה 1 from the presence of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 1 4 jdr2 writing-newevent וַֽיהוָ֗ה הֵטִ֤יל רֽוּחַ־גְּדוֹלָה֙ אֶל־הַיָּ֔ם 1 But Yahweh sent out a great wind on the sea This clause introduces the new event of Yahweh’s response to Jonah running away. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
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 writing-background 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. (See: [[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
JON 1 5 f63r יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַסְּפִינָ֔ה 1 the innermost parts of the ship ***inside the ship***
JON 1 5 g4y4 וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַיֵּרָדַֽם 1 and had lain down and was deeply asleep ***and was lying there fast asleep*** or ***and 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 to Jonah having a deep respect for 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 1 from the presence of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “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 Then they said to him ***Then the men on the ship said to Jonah*** or ***Then the sailors said to Jonah***
JON 1 11 ik6d מַה־ נַּ֣עֲשֶׂה לָּ֔ךְ וְיִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַיָּ֖ם מֵֽעָלֵ֑ינוּ 1 What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us? ***What should we 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 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh ***Therefore the men prayed to Yahweh***
JON 1 14 jdr3 figs-exclamations אָנָּ֤ה 1 Ah! In this context, the word **Ah!** shows intense desperation. Represent this emotion in the most natural way for your language. See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]])
JON 1 14 wz6z אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אַל־ נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּנֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֔ה 1 O Yahweh, we beg you, do not let us perish on account of the soul of this man ***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***
JON 1 14 vv5t figs-metaphor וְאַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא 1 and do not accuse us of shedding innocent blood ***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: [[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 הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה אֶת־ יְהוָ֑ה 1 Then the men feared Yahweh with a great fear ***Then the men 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 jdr4 writing-newevent וַיְמַ֤ן יְהוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִבְלֹ֖עַ אֶת־יוֹנָ֑ה 1 Now Yahweh had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, This clause introduces the next part of the story, where Yahweh saves Jonah from the sea, and Jonah prays. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
JON 1 17 fle4 writing-newevent וַיְמַ֤ן 1 Now…had prepared The word **Now** is used in English to introduce a new part of the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
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><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><br>This chapter contains many terms from the sea.<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Poetry<br><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 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><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 from 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 bz4y figs-parallelism מְצוּלָה֙ בִּלְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים 1 into the depths, into the heart of the seas Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of the vastness of the ocean he was in. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JON 2 3 glp2 בִּלְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים 1 into the heart of the seas ***to the bottom of the sea***
JON 2 3 abc1 figs-parallelism וְנָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי כָּל־ מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥יךָ וְגַלֶּ֖יךָ עָלַ֥י עָבָֽרוּ 1 and the currents surrounded me; all your billows and your waves passed over me Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of the waters of the sea that closed in around him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JON 2 3 p8fd וְנָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי 1 the currents surrounded me ***the sea water closed in around me***
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 jdr5 Grammar-connect-words-phrases וַאֲנִ֣י 1 But as for me, 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”
JON 2 4 x1w9 figs-activepassive נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי 1 I am driven out 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”
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 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.
JON 2 5 abc2 figs-parallelism אֲפָפ֤וּנִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־ נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי 1 The waters surrounded me up to my soul; the deep swirled around me; Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of his hopeless situation as he was drowning in the sea. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
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 jdr6 Grammar-connect-time-simultaneous בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַי֙ נַפְשִׁ֔י 1 When my soul fainted within me, Jonahs says that he remembered Yahweh when he had lost hope of being rescued from the sea. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]
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 9 q3yb Grammar-connect-words-phrases 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***. Alternate translation: “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><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><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><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><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 jdr7 writing-newevent וַיְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה 1 The word of Yahweh came This phrase introduces the second half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the first half of the story (1:1). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
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 [1:1](../01/01/ll6c). Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 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 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 j8x1 figs-idiom וַיָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה 1 So Jonah got up ***So 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 dt1b writing-background וְנִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים׃ 1 Now Nineveh was a very large city, a journey of three days. This sentence gives background information about the city of Nineveh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
JON 3 3 ye82 figs-idiom עִיר־ גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים 1 a very large city, a journey of three days ***a very large city that was three days across***. 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 after a journey of one day, and he cried 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 after a journey of one day ***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 q2nc translate-numbers אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם 1 40 days ***forty days*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
JON 3 5 e5lm figs-explicit וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים 1 and 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 proclaimed and said ***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 nor 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 bmf5 figs-activepassive וְיִתְכַּסּ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֗ים הָֽאָדָם֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 But let man and animal be covered with sackcloth 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
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: “let them 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***. This refers to each of the people of Nineveh, and not to God.
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 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: “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 3 10 it1a figs-explicit וְלֹ֥א עָשָֽׂה 1 and he did not do it 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 intro ys57 0 # Jonah 04 General Notes<br><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><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><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><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><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 1 jdr8 writing-newevent וַיֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה רָעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַיִּ֖חַר לֽוֹ׃ 1 But this was evil to Jonah—extremely evil—and he burned with anger. This sentence introduces the next part of the story where Jonah responds to God saving the city of Nineveh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
JON 4 1 abc3 figs-metaphor וַיִּ֖חַר 1 and burned with anger Here Jonah's anger is spoken of as if was a fire burning inside him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 4 2 q6bb figs-exclamations אָנָּ֤ה 1 Ah! In this context, the word **Ah!** shows intense frustration. Represent this emotion in the most natural way for your language. See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]])
JON 4 2 k24b figs-rquestion אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ הֲלוֹא־ זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗י עַד־ הֱיוֹתִי֙ עַל־ אַדְמָתִ֔י 1 O, Yahweh, was this not my word 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: “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 4 2 wl7j וְנִחָ֖ם עַל־הָרָעָֽה 1 and one who relents from sending disaster 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”
JON 4 3 dm5t figs-explicit קַח־ נָ֥א אֶת־ נַפְשִׁ֖י מִמֶּ֑נִּי 1 take my soul 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 for me 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 af46 מַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּעִֽיר 1 what might happen to the city ***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”
JON 4 8 jdr9 Grammar-connect-time-background וַיְהִ֣י׀ כִּזְרֹ֣חַהַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ 1 It came about that when the sun rose, The hot wind from the east started blowing shortly after the sun rose. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
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 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 eln6 ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖י מֵחַיָּֽי 1 It is better for me to die than for me to live ***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](../04/03/yk5v).
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 jdr0 Grammar-connect-words-phrases וַֽאֲנִי֙ 1 So as for me, The expression in English shows a comparison between Jonah’s attitude toward the plant and Yahweh’s attitude toward the people of Nineveh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
JON 4 11 ecl1 figs-rquestion וַֽאֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־ נִינְוֵ֖ה הָעִ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־ בָּ֡הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽשְׁתֵּים־ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־ יָדַע֙ בֵּין־ יְמִינ֣וֹ לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ וּבְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה 1 So as for me, should I not 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? 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: [[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 than*** or ***It has more than***
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 ***who 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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