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UTN Review for Jonah (Joel and Perry) (#1357)

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Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote
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 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 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. This means that people do or say things that are the opposite of what one would expect them to do. 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 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). This is a common way of beginning a historical story about a prophet. (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 ll6c figs-idiom וַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה 1 Now the word of Yahweh came This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke or communicated his message in some way. Alternate translation: “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 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 1 s6av יְהוָ֔ה 1 Yahweh This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
JON 1 1 jv8c translate-names אֲמִתַּ֖י 1 Amittai This is the name of Jonah’s father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) JON 1 1 jv8c translate-names אֲמִתַּ֖י 1 Amittai This is the name of Jonah’s father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
JON 1 2 x5ua ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖ה 1 Get up and go to Nineveh, the great city ***Go to the important city of Nineveh*** JON 1 2 x5ua ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖ה 1 Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city ***Go to the large and important city of Nineveh***
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 v2xt figs-idiom ק֠וּם 1 Get up This is an idiom that means that Jonah should take action and go. It does not mean that he was sitting or lying down at the time that God spoke to him. Many languages would use only one verb, such as “go.” (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 jqz9 figs-metonymy וּ⁠קְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑י⁠הָ 1 call out against it The word **it** here, meaning the city of Nineveh, is a metonym referring to the people living in and around 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 2 rki2 עָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠ 1 their wickedness has risen up before me ***I know they have been continually sinning*** or ***I know that their sin has been getting worse and worse***
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 f5sr figs-idiom וַ⁠יָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ 1 But Jonah got up to run away Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to God’s command, but his action was to disobey instead of to obey. See how you translated this idiom in 1:2. Alternate translation: “But Jonah ran away” (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 n96t figs-metaphor מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה -1 from before the face of Yahweh This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (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 g66v figs-explicit לִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ⁠ה 1 to run away to Tarshish ***to flee to Tarshish***. This city named 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 djv1 וַ⁠יֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ 1 He went down to Joppa ***Jonah went to Joppa*** JON 1 3 djv1 וַ⁠יֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ 1 And 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 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 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 g5xp וַ⁠יֵּ֤רֶד בָּ⁠הּ֙ 1 and 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 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 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 3 sw66 figs-metonymy מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה 1 from before the face of Yahweh This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “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 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. Translate this so that your readers know that this event brings a change in the story. (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 4 jdrA figs-metaphor וְ⁠הָ֣⁠אֳנִיָּ֔ה חִשְּׁבָ֖ה לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר 1 so that the ship was thinking to be broken apart Here the term **thinking** describes the ship as if it were a person. This means that the storm was so severe that the ship was close to breaking apart. Alternate translation: ***so that the ship was almost breaking apart*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
JON 1 4 jl77 figs-activepassive לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר 1 to be broken This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “to break apart” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JON 1 5 d13r הַ⁠מַּלָּחִ֗ים 1 the sailors the men who worked on the ship JON 1 5 d13r הַ⁠מַּלָּחִ֗ים 1 the sailors the men who worked on the ship
JON 1 5 u2bj אֱלֹהָי⁠ו֒ 1 his own god Here **god** refers to false gods and idols that people worship. 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 sh1b וַ⁠יָּטִ֨לוּ אֶת־הַ⁠כֵּלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּֽ⁠אֳנִיָּה֙ 1 And they threw the cargo that was in the ship ***The men threw the heavy things off the ship***. By doing this, they hoped 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 tg27 לְ⁠הָקֵ֖ל מֵֽ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 to lighten it from upon them This could mean 1) to make the ship lighter so that it would float better. Alternate translation: ***to help the ship float better*** or 2) to lighten or relieve a dangerous situation. Alternate translation: ***to lessen the danger they were in***
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 uzt4 writing-background וְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה יָרַד֙ אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַ⁠סְּפִינָ֔ה 1 But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship This is background information. Translate this in a way that it is clear that Jonah had already done 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 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 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 laa3 וַ⁠יִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָי⁠ו֙ רַ֣ב הַ⁠חֹבֵ֔ל וַ⁠יֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖⁠וֹ 1 So the captain of the crew came to him and said to him ***The man in charge of the men working on 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 yx7e figs-rquestion מַה־לְּ⁠ךָ֣ נִרְדָּ֑ם 1 What are you doing sleeping? ***Why are you sleeping?*** Here the captain uses a 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 bd4f figs-idiom ק֚וּם 1 Get up! This is a command to begin some activity that is named following this word. See how you translated this idiom in 1:2 and 1:3. In this verse, the Captain is telling Jonah to pray to his god. Because Jonah was lying down, the captain may also be telling Jonah literally to stand up. (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 k7a5 figs-idiom קְרָ֣א אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֔י⁠ךָ 1 Cry out to your god! ***Pray to your god!*** To **Cry out to** someone means to ask him loudly for help. (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 6 sk7i figs-explicit אוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖⁠נוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 Maybe that 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 6 ab88 Figs-doublenegatives וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 and we will not perish This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “and he will save us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
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 sc57 וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗⁠הוּ 1 Then every man said to his friend The phrase **each man…to his friend** is an idiom expressing reciprocal action. This means that all the men in the group were saying this to each other. Alternate translation: “The sailors all said to each other” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 7 l5xq לְכוּ֙ וְ⁠נַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְ⁠נֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּ⁠שֶׁ⁠לְּ⁠מִ֛י הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ 1 Come, and 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 d726 הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את 1 this evil This refers to the terrible storm. JON 1 7 d726 הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את 1 this evil This refers to the terrible storm.
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 7 at67 וַ⁠יִּפֹּ֥ל הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־יוֹנָֽה 1 the lot fell on Jonah The expression “the lot fell on Jonah” is an idiom meaning that, when the men cast lots, the result indicated Jonah. This does not mean that the lot literally fell down on top of Jonah. Alternate translation: “the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 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 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 אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א 1 I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven The word **fear** refers to Jonah having a deep respect for God. JON 1 9 wav5 יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א 1 I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven Here the word **fear** means that Jonah worshiped Yahweh and not any other 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 ab79 וַ⁠יִּֽירְא֤וּ הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁים֙ יִרְאָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה 1 Then the men were afraid with great fear ***Then the men were very afraid***
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 peg3 figs-rquestion מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ 1 What is this that you have done? The men on the ship use a rhetorical question to show how afraid and angry they were at Jonah for causing so much trouble for all of them. 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 before the face of Yahweh This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 1 10 jdrB grammar-connect-time-background כִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָ⁠הֶֽם 1 because he had told them Before the sailors cast lots, Jonah had already told them that he was running away from Yahweh, the God he worshipped. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
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 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 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 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 11 wxr7 figs-idiom הַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר 1 the sea was going forward and storming This is an idiom that means that the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. Alternate translation: “the strength of the storm was increasing” (See: [[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 11 wxr7 Grammar-connect-logic-result הַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר 1 the sea was going forward and storming This was the reason that the men asked Jonah what they should do. If it is more clear in your language to put the reason first, this can be stated at the beginning of verse 11, connecting to the result with a word like “so” or “therefore.” (See: [[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
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 12 h982 כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְ⁠שֶׁ⁠לִּ֔⁠י הַ⁠סַּ֧עַר הַ⁠גָּד֛וֹל הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם 1 for I know that this great storm is upon you because of me ***because I know that this huge storm is my fault***
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 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 did not do as Jonah suggested. This information can be made explicit. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JON 1 14 ap77 וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ 1 Therefore they cried out ***Because of this*** or ***Because the sea became more violent*** JON 1 13 m3iq הַ⁠יָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵ֖ר 1 the sea was going forward and storming ***the storm became worse, and the waves became bigger*** See how you translated this idiom in verse 11.
JON 1 14 q2xq וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה 1 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh ***Therefore the men prayed to Yahweh*** JON 1 14 ap77 וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ 1 Therefore they cried out ***Because of that they called out*** or ***Because the sea became more violent they called loudly***
JON 1 14 q2xq וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה 1 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh ***Therefore the men prayed loudly 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 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 wz6z אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אַל־נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּ⁠נֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה 1 O Yahweh, please do not let us perish on account of the life of this man ***O Yahweh, please do not kill us because we caused this man to die*** or ***O Yahweh, even though we are going to cause this man to die, 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 14 vv5t figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא 1 and do not put innocent blood upon us This is an idiom that means “do not consider us guilty of killing an innocent person.” Alternate translation: “and please do not blame us for his death” or “and do not hold us accountable for having killed someone who did not deserve to die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 15 l9cf וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ 1 the sea stopped raging ***the sea stopped moving violently*** or ***the sea became calm*** JON 1 14 ab73 אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָפַ֖צְתָּ עָשִֽׂיתָ 1 you, Yahweh, have done just as you desired ***you, Yahweh, have chosen to do things in this way*** or ***you, Yahweh, have caused all this to happen***
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 15 l9cf וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ 1 the sea ceased from its raging ***the sea stopped moving violently***
JON 1 15 ab89 Figs-doublenegatives וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ 1 the sea ceased from its raging This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “the sea became calm” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
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*** or ***Then the men worshiped Yahweh with great awe***
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 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 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. In this context, 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 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 figs-idiom שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּ⁠שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת 1 three days and three nights Perhaps this expression is an idiom in Hebrew meaning “a couple of days” or “a few days” or something similar, but this is uncertain. Alternate translation: “three days and nights” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 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 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 al5b וַ⁠יֹּ֗אמֶר 1 And 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 jdrC writing-poetry קָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי 1 I cried out to Yahweh from my distress, and he answered me This line begins a poem describing Jonah’s experience and prayer in the belly of the fish. The poem does not give the exact words that Jonah prayed at the time because the poem was written later, describing Jonah’s experience in the fish, his prayer, and God’s answer as if they had already happened in the past. This first line of the poem can be understood in one of two ways: either as being addressed to Yahweh as part of the description of the prayer; or as being addressed to another person as an introduction to the description of the prayer. See also the Note concerning the phrase “Salvation belongs to Yahweh!” in [2:9](../02/09/jdrH). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry]])
JON 2 2 wdr4 וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי 1 he answered me ***Yahweh responded to me*** or ***he helped me*** JON 2 2 s7fi קָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה 1 I cried out to Yahweh from my distress ***I prayed to Yahweh during my great trouble*** or ***Yahweh, I cried out to you during my distress***
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 2 wdr4 וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי 1 he answered me ***Yahweh responded to me*** or ***he helped me*** or ***you answered me***
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 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 include: 1) Jonah was speaking of being in the belly of the fish as being in Sheol; or 2) Jonah believed that he was about to die and go to Sheol; or 3) He was speaking as if he already had died and gone to Sheol. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 2 3 glp2 בִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים 1 into the heart of the seas ***to the bottom of the sea*** JON 2 2 ab77 translate-names שְׁא֛וֹל 1 Sheol ***Sheol*** was the name of the place where people went after they died. It was thought to be a shadowy world located somewhere under the ground. The New Testament equivalent seems to be “Hades,” where the dead wait for judgment (see Rev. 20:13). If your language has a word for this place, you may want to use it here, or borrow the word “Sheol.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
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 2 jdrD figs-idiom שָׁמַ֥עְתָּ קוֹלִֽ⁠י 1 you heard my voice This phrase probably has both a literal and a figurative meaning. The phrase probably means literally that Yahweh heard Jonah’s voice while he was praying inside the belly of the fish. However, the phrase “to hear someone’s voice” in the Old Testament often means “to listen and obey (comply).” In this context, Jonah is expressing that Yahweh both heard him and acted to save him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 2 3 p8fd וְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 the currents surrounded me ***the sea water closed in around me*** JON 2 3 glp2 בִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים 1 into the heart of the seas Here the term **heart** is a metaphor for “being inside” something. The phrase “in the heart of” means to be “in the middle of” or “completely surrounded by” sea water. Alternate translation: “in the middle of the sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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 3 p8fd וְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 a current surrounded me ***the sea water closed in around me***
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” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) JON 2 3 c6jx figs-doublet מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ 1 your billows and your waves Both of these are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. They could be combined into one term, such as “waves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
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 jdr5 grammar-connect-words-phrases וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י 1 But as for me, This expression 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
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 x1w9 figs-activepassive נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי 1 I have been driven out This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You drove me out” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
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 4 z1yx figs-metonymy מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 from before your eyes Here **eyes** is a metonym meaning seeing, and seeing is a metonym for the knowledge, notice, and attention of God. Alternate translation: “from before you” or “from your presence” or “where you do not notice me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
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 4 b8vk אַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְ⁠הַבִּ֔יט אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ 1 yet I might again look toward your holy temple Jonah still has hope that, in spite of all that he is going through, God will allow him to see the temple in Jerusalem again.
JON 2 5 rf4b מַ֨יִם֙ 1 The waters **The waters** refers to the sea. JON 2 5 abc2 figs-parallelism אֲפָפ֤וּ⁠נִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 Water had closed around me even as far as life; the deep was surrounding me; Jonah uses two similar phrases to express the severity and hopelessness of his situation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
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 rf4b מַ֨יִם֙ 1 Water Here **Water** refers to the sea.
JON 2 5 nr3v תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 the deep swirled around me ***the deep water was all around me*** JON 2 5 ca31 עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ 1 even as far as life Here the Hebrew term **life** can possibly mean ***my life*** or ***my neck*** or ***my spirit***. In any case, the water was threatening to end his life. Alternate translation: “up to my neck” or “as far as my spirit”
JON 2 5 p1fw ס֖וּף 1 seaweed grass that grows in the sea JON 2 5 nr3v תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 the deep was surrounding me ***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 5 p1fw ס֖וּף 1 seaweed ***seaweed*** is grass that grows in the sea
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 z36i figs-metaphor הָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥י⁠הָ בַעֲדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם 1 the earth with its bars closed upon me forever Here Jonah uses 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 Here the term **pit** has two possible meanings: 1) this could be a way to describe being in a very deep place underground or underwater or 2) this could be a metaphor meaning the place of the dead (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]). In either case, the term probably refers to the fact that Jonah felt certain that he would die. Alternate translation: “But you saved me from dying in a deep place” or “But you saved my life from the place of the dead”
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 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/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) JON 2 7 jdr6 grammar-connect-time-simultaneous בְּ⁠הִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַ⁠י֙ נַפְשִׁ֔⁠י 1 When my spirit fainted regarding me, This phrase could mean either: 1) Jonah was already in the process of dying when he remembered Yahweh; or 2) Jonah had given up hope of being rescued and resigned himself to the fact that he would die. Alternate translation: “When my life was fainting away from me” or “When my spirit inside me had fainted” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
JON 2 8 jdrE נַפְשִׁ֔⁠י 1 my spirit Here the Hebrew term **my spirit** could also mean ***my life***.
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 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 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. This means that God heard his prayer and responded to it. 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 who pay attention to useless gods*** JON 2 7 jdrF figs-metonymy הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ 1 your holy temple Here the term “holy temple” may have either a literal or a figurative meaning, or perhaps both. Jonah might be speaking about the literal temple in Jerusalem, or he might be speaking about God’s dwelling place in Heaven. See the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JON 2 8 fac9 חַסְדָּ֖⁠ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ 1 forsake loving faithfulness ***are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them*** JON 2 8 u1l9 figs-idiom מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 Those who give attention to empty vanities Here the term “empty vanities” is probably an idiom referring to idols of false gods. Alternate translation: “Those who give attention to useless idols” or “Those who pay attention to useless gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) JON 2 8 fac9 חַסְדָּ֖⁠ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ 1 forsake their covenant faithfulness Here, **covenant faithfulness** could refer to 1) the faithfulness of God or 2) the faithfulness of the people. Therefore, it could mean 1) “are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them” or 2) “are abandoning their commitment to you”
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 q3yb Grammar-connect-logic-contrast וַ⁠אֲנִ֗י 1 But as for me, This expression 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
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 9 nfd2 בְּ⁠ק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔⁠ךְ 1 I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving This phrase probably 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 jdrH יְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה 1 Salvation belongs to Yahweh This last line of the poem can be understood in one of two ways: either 1) as being addressed to Yahweh as part of the description of the prayer; or 2) as being addressed to another person as a conclusion to the description of the prayer. See also the Note concerning the phrase “I cried out to Yahweh from my distress…” in [2:2](../02/02/jdrC).
JON 2 9 r4j4 figs-abstractnouns יְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה 1 Salvation belongs to 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 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 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 seem inconsistent with the fact that God’s character and his plans do not change. But this whole book is written from a human viewpoint and so it presents the actions of God as Jonah saw them. God had told Jonah to warn the Ninevites of judgment for their sin. <br><br>Yahweh is just, but he is also merciful. Because the Ninevites repented, God did not follow through with a judgment in this instance, and Jonah described that in a human way as “changing his mind.” The reader understands that this was God’s plan from the beginning. (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 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 1 xj6n figs-idiom וַ⁠יְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה 1 The word of Yahweh came This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke in some way.. 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 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 ve4i ק֛וּם לֵ֥ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֖ה הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה 1 Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city ***Go to the large and important city of Nineveh***
JON 3 2 cl3b figs-idiom ק֛וּם 1 Get up This refers to leaving the place one is at. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JON 3 2 cl3b figs-idiom ק֛וּם 1 Get up **Get up** here is an idiom intended to motivate Jonah to obey the next command, which is “go.” See how you translated this in 1:2 and 1:3. (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 2 ir79 וִּ⁠קְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ אֶת־הַ⁠קְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽי⁠ךָ 1 call out to it the proclamation that I tell to you ***tell the people there 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 k7k9 figs-idiom וַ⁠יָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וַ⁠יֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֶ֖ה כִּ⁠דְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה 1 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to God’s command to go, and this time he obeyed instead of disobeying. Alternate translation: ***This time Jonah obeyed Yahweh and went to Nineveh*** or “So Jonah left the beach and went to Nineveh, as Yahweh had commanded him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 g4nk figs-metonymy כִּ⁠דְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה 1 the word of Yahweh ***the message of Yahweh*** or ***the command of Yahweh***
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 an extremely 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 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 an extremely large city, a journey of three days This appears to mean that a person had to walk for three days to completely go through it from one side of the city to the opposite side. It could also mean that it took three days to see the whole city. Alternate translation: “a city so large that it would take a person three days to walk through it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 וַ⁠יָּ֤חֶל יוֹנָה֙ לָ⁠ב֣וֹא בָ⁠עִ֔יר מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ 1 So Jonah began to go into the city a journey of one day, and he called out This phrase has two possible meanings: 1) Jonah walked a day’s journey into the city, then he started calling out; or 2) while Jonah was walking through the city on the first day, he started calling out.
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 r94k וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֔ר 1 and he called out and said ***and he proclaimed*** or ***and he shouted*** JON 3 4 r94k וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֔ר 1 and he called out and said ***and he proclaimed*** or ***and he shouted***
JON 3 4 ab78 ע֚וֹד אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם 1 Until 40 days ***After 40 days*** or ***In 40 days*** ***There remain 40 days, and***
JON 3 4 q2nc translate-numbers אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם 1 40 days ***forty days*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) 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 ab90 Translate-symaction וַ⁠יִּקְרְאוּ־ צוֹם֙ 1 they proclaimed a fast People fasted to show sadness or devotion to God or both. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
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 5 e5lm figs-explicit וַ⁠יִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים 1 and put on sackcloth The reason 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 6 pna3 הַ⁠דָּבָר֙ 1 word ***Jonah’s message*** JON 3 5 isk5 מִ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖⁠ם וְ⁠עַד־קְטַנָּֽ⁠ם 1 from the greatest of them even to the least of them ***from the most significant to the least significant people*** or ***including all of the important people and all of the unimportant people***
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 6 pna3 הַ⁠דָּבָר֙ 1 the word ***Jonah’s message***
JON 3 6 pvp7 מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ 1 throne A throne is a chair that the king sits on. It shows that he is the king. JON 3 6 h9wz Translate-symaction וַ⁠יָּ֨קָם֙ מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ 1 and 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. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
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 6 pvp7 מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ 1 his throne A throne is a special chair that a king sits on when performing his official duties as king. It is reserved for only the king.
JON 3 7 n5fn וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו 1 nobles important men who helped the king rule the city JON 3 6 ab91 Translate-symaction וַ⁠יֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל־ הָ⁠אֵֽפֶר 1 and sat in ashes Sitting in ashes was a way to show great humility and sorrow. In this case, it was to show how sorry he was for his sin. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
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 v29b וַ⁠יַּזְעֵ֗ק וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙…לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר 1 And he proclaimed and spoke ***He sent out an official announcement that said*** or ***He sent his messengers to announce***
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 7 ab79 מִ⁠טַּ֧עַם הַ⁠מֶּ֛לֶךְ וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו 1 from a decree of the king and his nobles ***a command with the full authority of the king and his officials***
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 7 n5fn וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו 1 nobles The term **nobles** refers to important men who helped the king rule the city.
JON 3 8 x6ct וְ⁠יִתְכַּסּ֣וּ…הָֽ⁠אָדָם֙ וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 But let man and animal ***But let both*** JON 3 7 xw6c הַ⁠בָּקָ֣ר וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּ֗אן 1 herd or flock This refers to two kinds of animals that people care for. A ‘herd’ is made up of large livestock (such as oxen or cattle) and a ‘flock’ is made up of small livestock (such as sheep or goats). Alternate translation: “cattle or sheep”
JON 3 8 mzx6 וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 animal The word ***animal*** refers to animals that people own. JON 3 7 fw18 figs-explicit אַ֨ל־יִרְע֔וּ וּ⁠מַ֖יִם אַל־יִשְׁתּֽוּ 1 they must not graze, and they must not drink water ***They must not eat or 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 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 mzx6 וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 every animal Here the word ***animal*** refers to animals that people own.
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 8 jh7e figs-explicit וְ⁠יִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠חָזְקָ֑ה 1 and they must cry out to God with strength ***and they must pray earnestly to God***. What the people were to pray for can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and they must cry out loudly to God and ask for mercy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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 8 n3ls הֶ⁠חָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּ⁠כַפֵּי⁠הֶֽם 1 the violence that is in his hands Here **hands** is a metonym meaning doing. This refers to the violence that the people of Nineveh were doing. Alternate translation: “the violent things that he has done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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 wbt6 figs-rquestion מִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ 1 Who knows? The king used this rhetorical question to get the people to think about something that is possible, but uncertain: 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 uvp9 וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 so that we do not perish ***so we do not die*** JON 3 9 z3jj figs-metaphor יָשׁ֔וּב וְ⁠נִחַ֖ם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 This god might turn back and have compassion Here the author speaks of God changing his mind about bringing judgment as if God were turning around and walking in the opposite direction. Alternate translation: “God may decide instead to have compassion” or “God may do the opposite of what he said and be merciful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 3 10 w3uu וַ⁠יַּ֤רְא הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 God saw their works ***God understood that they stopped doing evil actions*** JON 3 9 jdrG figs-idiom מֵ⁠חֲר֥וֹן אַפּ֖⁠וֹ 1 from the burning of his nose Here **the burning of his nose** is an idiom meaning that the person is angry. Alternate translation: “from his anger” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 9 uvp9 וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 so that we will not perish ***and we will not die***
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 w3uu וַ⁠יַּ֤רְא הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂי⁠הֶ֔ם כִּי־שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה 1 And God saw their deeds, that they turned away from their evil ways ***God saw that they stopped doing evil actions***
JON 3 10 k8am figs-metaphor שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה 1 they turned from their evil ways Here the author speaks of the people stopping their sinning as if they turned around from walking on a path toward evil and started walking in the opposite direction. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JON 3 10 ab85 וַ⁠יִּנָּ֣חֶם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־ הָ⁠רָעָ֛ה 1 And God relented in regard to the evil The word translated as “evil” here is very broad, including moral evil, physical evil, and everything that is bad. It is the same word used in the previous sentence (and verse 8) to describe the actions of the Ninevites. The author is showing that when people repent of moral evil, God relents of doing physical evil (punishment). God never does moral evil. If this is clear in your language, you may want to use the same word in both sentences. If that is not clear, you may want to use different words.
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 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 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 to everyone, whether Jew or pagan. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]])<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Prophecy not coming true<br><br>### It is important to see the relationship between a prophet and Yahweh. A prophet 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, because that shows that he was not a real prophet. But when Jonah told the city of Nineveh that it was going to be destroyed in forty days, it did not happen at that time. This is because God reserves the right to be merciful. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>## Jonah’s anger<br><br> <br><br>### When God did not destroy Nineveh, Jonah was angry with God because Jonah hated the people of Nineveh. They were enemies of Israel. But God wanted Jonah, and the readers of this book, to learn that God loves all people.<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 jdr8 writing-newevent וַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה רָעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַ⁠יִּ֖חַר לֽ⁠וֹ׃ 1 But this was evil to Jonah, a great evil, and it burned to him. 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 1 abc3 figs-idiom וַ⁠יִּ֖חַר לֽ⁠וֹ 1 and it burned to him This is an idiom that speaks of Jonah’s anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. Alternate translation: “and he was very angry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 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 k24b figs-rquestion יְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י 1 Yahweh, was this not my word while I was in my country? Jonah used this rhetorical question to tell God how angry he was. If it is more clear, this can be made into a statement. Alternate translation: “Ah, Yahweh, this is what I said when I was still in my own country!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]
JON 4 2 ab79 figs-explicit יְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י 1 Yahweh, was this not my word while I was in my country? 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-explicit]])
JON 4 2 ab81 figs-idiom אֶ֤רֶךְ אַפַּ֨יִם֙ 1 long of nostrils This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh does not get angry quickly. Alternate translation: “slow to get angry” or “very patient” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 4 2 jv5c וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֔סֶד 1 and abundant in covenant faithfulness ***and very faithful*** or ***and you love people very much*** JON 4 2 jv5c וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֔סֶד 1 and abundant in covenant faithfulness ***and very faithful*** or ***and you love people very much***
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 2 wl7j figs-explicit וְ⁠נִחָ֖ם עַל־הָ⁠רָעָֽה 1 and one who relents from evil Here, **evil** refers to the physical destruction of the city of Nineveh and its people. It does not refer to moral evil. In this context, this phrase means that God feels sadness about causing bad things to happen to people who sin and he changes his mind when sinners repent of their sin. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and you feel sadness about causing disaster for sinners” or “and you decide not to punish sinners who repent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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 dm5t figs-explicit קַח־נָ֥א אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖⁠י מִמֶּ֑⁠נִּי 1 I beg you, 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 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 3 yk5v כִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י 1 for my death is better than my life ***I would prefer to die than to 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 4 ab82 figs-idiom הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ 1 Is it right that it burns to you? This is an idiom that speaks of Jonah’s anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. See how you translated it in 4:1. Alternate translation: “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 4 5 q1f7 וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָ⁠עִ֔יר 1 Then Jonah went out of the city ***Then Jonah left the city of Nineveh*** JON 4 4 ab83 Figs-explicit הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ 1 Is it right that it burns to you? The reason for Jonah’s anger can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Is it right for you to be angry that I did not destroy Nineveh?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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 5 q1f7 וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָ⁠עִ֔יר 1 Then Jonah went out from the city ***Then Jonah left the city of Nineveh***
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 5 af46 מַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּ⁠עִֽיר 1 what would transpire within the city Jonah wanted to see if God would destroy the city or not. Alternate translation: “what would become of the city” or “what God would do to the city”
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 6 i4r4 מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה לִֽ⁠הְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ 1 from over Jonah to be a shade over his head ***over Jonah’s head for shade***
JON 4 7 t7il וַ⁠יְמַ֤ן הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת 1 But God prepared a worm ***But God sent a worm*** JON 4 6 t21k לְ⁠הַצִּ֥יל ל֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠רָֽעָת֑⁠וֹ 1 to rescue him from his evil Here the term “evil” could mean two things (or both at the same time): 1) “discomfort” or “distress,” meaning the intense heat of the sun shining on Jonah’s head; or 2) “wrong,” meaning Jonah’s wrong attitude concerning God’s decision not to destroy Nineveh. If both meanings can be preserved, that is preferable. If not, you can choose an Alternate translation: “to protect Jonah from the heat of the sun” or “to save Jonah from his wrong attitude”
JON 4 7 rw7z וַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן 1 It attacked the plant ***The worm chewed the plant*** JON 4 7 t7il וַ⁠יְמַ֤ן הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת 1 Then God appointed a worm ***Then God sent a worm***
JON 4 7 d16m וַ⁠יִּיבָֽשׁ 1 so that it withered The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “so that the plant died” JON 4 7 rw7z וַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן 1 and it attacked the plant ***and the worm chewed the plant***
JON 4 8 jdr9 grammar-connect-time-background וַ⁠יְהִ֣י׀ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ 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 7 d16m וַ⁠יִּיבָֽשׁ 1 and it withered The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “so that 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 jdr9 grammar-connect-time-background וַ⁠יְהִ֣י׀ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ 1 And as soon as the rising of the sun happened The rising of the sun is background information that gives the time when the hot wind from the east started blowing. Express this relationship in a natural way in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
JON 4 8 hmi4 figs-explicit וַ⁠יְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית 1 then God appointed a hot east wind God caused a hot wind from the east to blow on Jonah. If “wind” in your language 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 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 u2pl figs-synecdoche עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ יוֹנָ֖ה 1 on the head of Jonah This phrase may have a literal meaning or a figurative meaning. Perhaps Jonah felt the heat most on his head, or perhaps the phrase **the head of Jonah** is a synecdoche meaning Jonah’s entire body. Alternate translation: “on Jonah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JON 4 8 z95v וַ⁠יִּתְעַלָּ֑ף 1 and he became faint ***and he became very weak*** or ***and he lost his strength*** JON 4 8 z95v וַ⁠יִּתְעַלָּ֑ף 1 and he became faint ***and he became very weak*** or ***and he lost his strength***
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 8 ab87 וַ⁠יִּשְׁאַ֤ל אֶת־ נַפְשׁ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠מ֔וּת 1 he asked his spirit to die Jonah is talking to himself. Alternate translation: “he wished he would die” or “he wanted to die”
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 8 eln6 ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י 1 My death is better than my life ***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 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 w24z figs-explicit הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְ⁠ךָ֖ עַל־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן 1 Is it good that it burns to you about the plant? In this context, God’s question is intended to lead Jonah to draw a conclusion about his selfish attitude. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Is it right that you should be so angry about the plant that only gave shade to you?” (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 9 h43a הֵיטֵ֥ב חָֽרָה־לִ֖⁠י עַד־מָֽוֶת 1 It is good that it burns to me, even as far as death. ***I am right to be angry. 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 10 gkz7 figs-explicit וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה 1 Yahweh said Here Yahweh is speaking to Jonah. This implicit information can be made explicit. 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]]) 4 10 ab88 figs-idiom שֶׁ⁠בִּן־ לַ֥יְלָה הָיָ֖ה וּ⁠בִן־ לַ֥יְלָה אָבָֽד־ לַ֥יְלָה 1 it came as a son of a night, and it perished as a son of a night This idiom means that the plant existed only briefly. Alternate translation: “It grew in one night and died the next” or “It grew quickly and died just as quickly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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 jdr0 grammar-connect-words-phrases וַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ 1 So as for me, This expression, paired with **As for you** in verse 10, shows a comparison between Jonah’s attitude toward the plant and Yahweh’s attitude toward the people of Nineveh. Express this comparison in a natural way in your language.(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
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 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 feel troubled about Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand, and many animals? God used this rhetorical 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 translated as the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: ***There are more than*** or ***It has more than***
JON 4 11 c3b7 translate-numbers מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם 1 120,000 people ***one hundred and twenty thousand people*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) JON 4 11 c3b7 translate-numbers מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם 1 120,000 people ***one hundred and twenty thousand 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 ***who cannot tell the difference between right and wrong***. JON 4 11 j35h figs-idiom אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ 1 who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand This idiom means, ***who do not know the difference between right and wrong***. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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]])

1 Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote
2 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>
3 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> # 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. This means that people do or say things that are the opposite of what one would expect them to do. 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>
4 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]]) This phrase introduces the first half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the second half of the story (3:1). This is a common way of beginning a historical story about a prophet. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
5 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]]) This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke or communicated his message in some way. Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6 JON 1 1 qa3z דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה 1 the word of Yahweh ***the message of Yahweh***
7 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. This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
8 JON 1 1 jv8c translate-names אֲמִתַּ֖י 1 Amittai This is the name of Jonah’s father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
9 JON 1 2 x5ua ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖ה 1 Get up and go to Nineveh, the great city Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city ***Go to the important city of Nineveh*** ***Go to the large and important city of Nineveh***
10 JON 1 2 v2xt figs-idiom ק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ ק֠וּם 1 Get up and go Get up This is a common expression for traveling to distant places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) This is an idiom that means that Jonah should take action and go. It does not mean that he was sitting or lying down at the time that God spoke to him. Many languages would use only one verb, such as “go.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
11 JON 1 2 jqz9 figs-metonymy וּ⁠קְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑י⁠הָ 1 speak out against it call 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]]) The word **it** here, meaning the city of Nineveh, is a metonym referring to the people living in and around the city. Alternate translation: “warn the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
12 JON 1 2 rki2 עָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠ 1 their wickedness has risen up before me ***I know they have been continually sinning*** ***I know they have been continually sinning*** or ***I know that their sin has been getting worse and worse***
13 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]]) Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to God’s command, but his action was to disobey instead of to obey. See how you translated this idiom in 1:2. Alternate translation: “But Jonah ran away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
14 JON 1 3 n96t figs-metonymy figs-metaphor מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה -1 from the presence of Yahweh from before the face of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
15 JON 1 3 g66v figs-explicit לִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ⁠ה 1 to go to Tarshish to run away 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]]) ***to flee to Tarshish***. This city named 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]])
16 JON 1 3 djv1 וַ⁠יֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ 1 He went down to Joppa And he went down to Joppa ***Jonah went to Joppa***
17 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.
18 JON 1 3 pz67 וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜⁠הּ 1 So he paid the fare ***There Jonah paid for the trip***
19 JON 1 3 g5xp וַ⁠יֵּ֤רֶד בָּ⁠הּ֙ 1 went down into it and went down into it ***got on the ship***
20 JON 1 3 i6bi עִמָּ⁠הֶם֙ 1 with them The word **them** refers to the others who were going on the ship.
21 JON 1 3 sw66 figs-metonymy מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה 1 from the presence of Yahweh from before the face of Yahweh Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
22 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]]) This clause introduces the new event of Yahweh’s response to Jonah running away. Translate this so that your readers know that this event brings a change in the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
23 JON 1 4 jl77 jdrA figs-activepassive figs-metaphor לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר וְ⁠הָ֣⁠אֳנִיָּ֔ה חִשְּׁבָ֖ה לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר 1 to be broken up so that the ship was thinking to be broken apart This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “to break apart” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) Here the term **thinking** describes the ship as if it were a person. This means that the storm was so severe that the ship was close to breaking apart. Alternate translation: ***so that the ship was almost breaking apart*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
24 JON 1 4 jl77 figs-activepassive לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר 1 to be broken This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “to break apart” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
25 JON 1 5 d13r הַ⁠מַּלָּחִ֗ים 1 the sailors the men who worked on the ship
26 JON 1 5 u2bj אֱלֹהָי⁠ו֒ 1 his own god Here **god** refers to false gods and idols that people worship.
27 JON 1 5 sh1b וַ⁠יָּטִ֨לוּ אֶת־הַ⁠כֵּלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּֽ⁠אֳנִיָּה֙ 1 They threw the cargo that was in the ship And 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. ***The men threw the heavy things off the ship***. By doing this, they hoped to keep the ship from sinking.
28 JON 1 5 tg27 לְ⁠הָקֵ֖ל מֵֽ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 to lighten it to lighten it from upon them Making the ship lighter would make if float better. Alternate translation: “to help the ship float better” This could mean 1) to make the ship lighter so that it would float better. Alternate translation: ***to help the ship float better*** or 2) to lighten or relieve a dangerous situation. Alternate translation: ***to lessen the danger they were in***
29 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]]) This is background information. Translate this in a way that it is clear that Jonah had already done this before the storm started. (See: [[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
30 JON 1 5 f63r יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַ⁠סְּפִינָ֔ה 1 the innermost parts of the ship ***inside the ship***
31 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.
32 JON 1 6 laa3 וַ⁠יִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָי⁠ו֙ רַ֣ב הַ⁠חֹבֵ֔ל וַ⁠יֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖⁠וֹ 1 So the captain came to him and said to him So the captain of the crew came to him and said to him ***The man in charge of the ship went to Jonah and said*** ***The man in charge of the men working on the ship went to Jonah and said***
33 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]]) ***Why are you sleeping?*** Here the captain uses a rhetorical question to scold Jonah. Alternate translation: “Stop sleeping!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
34 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]]) This is a command to begin some activity that is named following this word. See how you translated this idiom in 1:2 and 1:3. In this verse, the Captain is telling Jonah to pray to his god. Because Jonah was lying down, the captain may also be telling Jonah literally to stand up. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
35 JON 1 6 k7a5 figs-idiom קְרָ֣א אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֔י⁠ךָ 1 Call upon your god! Cry out to your god! ***Pray to your god!*** **Call** refers to getting the attention of someone. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) ***Pray to your god!*** To **Cry out to** someone means to ask him loudly for help. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
36 JON 1 6 sk7i figs-explicit אוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖⁠נוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 Maybe your god will notice us and we will not perish Maybe that 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]])
37 JON 1 7 6 sc57 ab88 Figs-doublenegatives וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗⁠הוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 They all said to each other and we will not perish ***The sailors all said to each other*** This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “and he will save us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
38 JON 1 7 l5xq sc57 לְכוּ֙ וְ⁠נַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְ⁠נֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּ⁠שֶׁ⁠לְּ⁠מִ֛י הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗⁠הוּ 1 Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this evil is happening to us Then every man said to his friend ***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. The phrase **each man…to his friend** is an idiom expressing reciprocal action. This means that all the men in the group were saying this to each other. Alternate translation: “The sailors all said to each other” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
39 JON 1 7 l5xq לְכוּ֙ וְ⁠נַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְ⁠נֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּ⁠שֶׁ⁠לְּ⁠מִ֛י הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ 1 Come, and 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.
40 JON 1 7 d726 הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את 1 this evil This refers to the terrible storm.
41 JON 1 7 at67 וַ⁠יִּפֹּ֥ל הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־יוֹנָֽה 1 the lot fell to Jonah the lot fell on Jonah ***the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person*** The expression “the lot fell on Jonah” is an idiom meaning that, when the men cast lots, the result indicated Jonah. This does not mean that the lot literally fell down on top of Jonah. Alternate translation: “the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
42 JON 1 8 wkh6 וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔י⁠ו 1 Then they said to him ***Then the men who were working on the ship said to Jonah***
43 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?***
44 JON 1 9 wav5 יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א 1 I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven The word **fear** refers to Jonah having a deep respect for God. Here the word **fear** means that Jonah worshiped Yahweh and not any other god.
45 JON 1 10 peg3 ab79 figs-rquestion מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ וַ⁠יִּֽירְא֤וּ הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁים֙ יִרְאָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה 1 What is this that you have done? Then the men were afraid with great fear 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]]) ***Then the men were very afraid***
46 JON 1 10 us1r peg3 figs-metonymy figs-rquestion מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ מַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ 1 from the presence of Yahweh What is this that you have done? Here Yahweh is represented by his presence. Alternate translation: “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) The men on the ship use a rhetorical question to show how afraid and angry they were at Jonah for causing so much trouble for all of them. Alternate translation: “You have done a terrible thing!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
47 JON 1 10 us1r figs-metonymy מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ 1 from before the face of Yahweh This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
48 JON 1 10 jdrB grammar-connect-time-background כִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָ⁠הֶֽם 1 because he had told them Before the sailors cast lots, Jonah had already told them that he was running away from Yahweh, the God he worshipped. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
49 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]])
50 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***
51 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?***
52 JON 1 11 wxr7 figs-idiom הַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר 1 the sea became more and more violent the sea was going forward and storming 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. This is an idiom that means that the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. Alternate translation: “the strength of the storm was increasing” (See: [[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
53 JON 1 12 11 h982 wxr7 Grammar-connect-logic-result כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְ⁠שֶׁ⁠לִּ֔⁠י הַ⁠סַּ֧עַר הַ⁠גָּד֛וֹל הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם הַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר 1 for I know that this great storm is happening to you because of me the sea was going forward and storming ***because I know this huge storm is my fault*** This was the reason that the men asked Jonah what they should do. If it is more clear in your language to put the reason first, this can be stated at the beginning of verse 11, connecting to the result with a word like “so” or “therefore.” (See: [[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
54 JON 1 13 12 lcd3 h982 figs-explicit וַ⁠יַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְ⁠הָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־הַ⁠יַּבָּשָׁ֖ה כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְ⁠שֶׁ⁠לִּ֔⁠י הַ⁠סַּ֧עַר הַ⁠גָּד֛וֹל הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם 1 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to the land for I know that this great storm is upon you because of me 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]]) ***because I know that this huge storm is my fault***
55 JON 1 13 m3iq lcd3 figs-explicit הַ⁠יָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵ֖ר וַ⁠יַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְ⁠הָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־הַ⁠יַּבָּשָׁ֖ה 1 the sea was becoming more and more violent Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to the land ***the storm became worse, and the waves became bigger*** The men did not want to throw Jonah into the sea, so they did not do as Jonah suggested. This information can be made explicit. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
56 JON 1 14 13 ap77 m3iq וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ הַ⁠יָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵ֖ר 1 Therefore they cried out the sea was going forward and storming ***Because of this*** or ***Because the sea became more violent*** ***the storm became worse, and the waves became bigger*** See how you translated this idiom in verse 11.
57 JON 1 14 q2xq ap77 וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ 1 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh Therefore they cried out ***Therefore the men prayed to Yahweh*** ***Because of that they called out*** or ***Because the sea became more violent they called loudly***
58 JON 1 14 q2xq וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה 1 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh ***Therefore the men prayed loudly to Yahweh***
59 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]])
60 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 let us perish on account of the life 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*** ***O Yahweh, please do not kill us because we caused this man to die*** or ***O Yahweh, even though we are going to cause this man to die, please do not kill us***
61 JON 1 14 vv5t figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא 1 and do not accuse us of shedding innocent blood and do not put innocent blood upon us ***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]]) This is an idiom that means “do not consider us guilty of killing an innocent person.” Alternate translation: “and please do not blame us for his death” or “and do not hold us accountable for having killed someone who did not deserve to die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
62 JON 1 15 14 l9cf ab73 וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָפַ֖צְתָּ עָשִֽׂיתָ 1 the sea stopped raging you, Yahweh, have done just as you desired ***the sea stopped moving violently*** or ***the sea became calm*** ***you, Yahweh, have chosen to do things in this way*** or ***you, Yahweh, have caused all this to happen***
63 JON 1 16 15 r3gs l9cf וַ⁠יִּֽירְא֧וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֛ים יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ 1 Then the men feared Yahweh with a great fear the sea ceased from its raging ***Then the men became greatly awed at Yahweh’s power*** ***the sea stopped moving violently***
64 JON 1 15 ab89 Figs-doublenegatives וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ 1 the sea ceased from its raging This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “the sea became calm” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
65 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*** or ***Then the men worshiped Yahweh with great awe***
66 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.
67 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]]) This clause introduces the next part of the story, where Yahweh saves Jonah from the sea, and Jonah prays. In this context, the word “Now” is used in English to introduce a new part of the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
68 JON 1 17 fle4 cjb6 writing-newevent figs-idiom וַ⁠יְמַ֤ן שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּ⁠שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת 1 Now…had prepared three days and three nights The word **Now** is used in English to introduce a new part of the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) Perhaps this expression is an idiom in Hebrew meaning “a couple of days” or “a few days” or something similar, but this is uncertain. Alternate translation: “three days and nights” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JON 1 17 cjb6 שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּ⁠שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת 1 three days and three nights ***three days and nights***
69 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>
70 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.
71 JON 2 2 al5b וַ⁠יֹּ֗אמֶר 1 He said And he said ***Jonah said***
72 JON 2 2 s7fi jdrC writing-poetry קָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה קָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי 1 I called out to Yahweh from my distress I cried out to Yahweh from my distress, and he answered me ***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” This line begins a poem describing Jonah’s experience and prayer in the belly of the fish. The poem does not give the exact words that Jonah prayed at the time because the poem was written later, describing Jonah’s experience in the fish, his prayer, and God’s answer as if they had already happened in the past. This first line of the poem can be understood in one of two ways: either as being addressed to Yahweh as part of the description of the prayer; or as being addressed to another person as an introduction to the description of the prayer. See also the Note concerning the phrase “Salvation belongs to Yahweh!” in [2:9](../02/09/jdrH). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry]])
73 JON 2 2 wdr4 s7fi וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי קָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה 1 he answered me I cried out to Yahweh from my distress ***Yahweh responded to me*** or ***he helped me*** ***I prayed to Yahweh during my great trouble*** or ***Yahweh, I cried out to you during my distress***
74 JON 2 2 w8wn wdr4 figs-metaphor מִ⁠בֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי 1 from the belly of Sheol he answered me ***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]]) ***Yahweh responded to me*** or ***he helped me*** or ***you answered me***
75 JON 2 3 2 bz4y w8wn figs-parallelism figs-metaphor מְצוּלָה֙ בִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים מִ⁠בֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל 1 into the depths, into the heart of the seas from the belly of Sheol Jonah uses two similar phrases to speak of the vastness of the ocean he was in. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) ***from the center of Sheol*** or ***from the deep part of Sheol***. Possible meanings include: 1) Jonah was speaking of being in the belly of the fish as being in Sheol; or 2) Jonah believed that he was about to die and go to Sheol; or 3) He was speaking as if he already had died and gone to Sheol. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
76 JON 2 3 2 glp2 ab77 translate-names בִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים שְׁא֛וֹל 1 into the heart of the seas Sheol ***to the bottom of the sea*** ***Sheol*** was the name of the place where people went after they died. It was thought to be a shadowy world located somewhere under the ground. The New Testament equivalent seems to be “Hades,” where the dead wait for judgment (see Rev. 20:13). If your language has a word for this place, you may want to use it here, or borrow the word “Sheol.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
77 JON 2 3 2 abc1 jdrD figs-parallelism figs-idiom וְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי כָּל־מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ עָלַ֥⁠י עָבָֽרוּ שָׁמַ֥עְתָּ קוֹלִֽ⁠י 1 and the currents surrounded me; all your billows and your waves passed over me you heard my voice 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]]) This phrase probably has both a literal and a figurative meaning. The phrase probably means literally that Yahweh heard Jonah’s voice while he was praying inside the belly of the fish. However, the phrase “to hear someone’s voice” in the Old Testament often means “to listen and obey (comply).” In this context, Jonah is expressing that Yahweh both heard him and acted to save him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
78 JON 2 3 p8fd glp2 וְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי בִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים 1 the currents surrounded me into the heart of the seas ***the sea water closed in around me*** Here the term **heart** is a metaphor for “being inside” something. The phrase “in the heart of” means to be “in the middle of” or “completely surrounded by” sea water. Alternate translation: “in the middle of the sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
79 JON 2 3 c6jx p8fd figs-doublet מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ וְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 your billows and your waves a current surrounded me These are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) ***the sea water closed in around me***
80 JON 2 4 3 jdr5 c6jx grammar-connect-words-phrases figs-doublet וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ 1 But as for me, your billows and your waves 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) Both of these are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. They could be combined into one term, such as “waves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
81 JON 2 4 x1w9 jdr5 figs-activepassive grammar-connect-words-phrases נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י 1 I am driven out But as for me, 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” This expression 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
82 JON 2 4 z1yx x1w9 figs-synecdoche figs-activepassive מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ נִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי 1 from before your eyes I have been driven out Here Yahweh is represented by his **eyes**. Alternate translation: “from you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You drove me out” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
83 JON 2 4 b8vk z1yx figs-metonymy אַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְ⁠הַבִּ֔יט אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 yet I will again look toward your holy temple from before your eyes Jonah has hope that, in spite of all he is going through, he will see the temple. Here **eyes** is a metonym meaning seeing, and seeing is a metonym for the knowledge, notice, and attention of God. Alternate translation: “from before you” or “from your presence” or “where you do not notice me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
84 JON 2 5 4 abc2 b8vk figs-parallelism אֲפָפ֤וּ⁠נִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי אַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְ⁠הַבִּ֔יט אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ 1 The waters surrounded me up to my soul; the deep swirled around me; yet I might again look toward your holy temple 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]]) Jonah still has hope that, in spite of all that he is going through, God will allow him to see the temple in Jerusalem again.
85 JON 2 5 rf4b abc2 figs-parallelism מַ֨יִם֙ אֲפָפ֤וּ⁠נִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 The waters Water had closed around me even as far as life; the deep was surrounding me; **The waters** refers to the sea. Jonah uses two similar phrases to express the severity and hopelessness of his situation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
86 JON 2 5 ca31 rf4b נֶ֔פֶשׁ מַ֨יִם֙ 1 my soul Water 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. Here **Water** refers to the sea.
87 JON 2 5 nr3v ca31 תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ 1 the deep swirled around me even as far as life ***the deep water was all around me*** Here the Hebrew term **life** can possibly mean ***my life*** or ***my neck*** or ***my spirit***. In any case, the water was threatening to end his life. Alternate translation: “up to my neck” or “as far as my spirit”
88 JON 2 5 p1fw nr3v ס֖וּף תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי 1 seaweed the deep was surrounding me grass that grows in the sea ***deep water was all around me***
89 JON 2 6 5 z36i p1fw figs-metaphor הָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥י⁠הָ בַעֲדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם ס֖וּף 1 the earth with its bars closed upon me forever seaweed 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]]) ***seaweed*** is grass that grows in the sea
90 JON 2 6 dc3r z36i figs-metaphor וַ⁠תַּ֧עַל מִ⁠שַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖⁠י הָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥י⁠הָ בַעֲדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם 1 Yet you brought up my life from the pit the earth with its bars closed upon me forever 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]]) Here Jonah uses 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]])
91 JON 2 6 dc3r figs-metaphor וַ⁠תַּ֧עַל מִ⁠שַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖⁠י 1 Yet you brought up my life from the pit Here the term **pit** has two possible meanings: 1) this could be a way to describe being in a very deep place underground or underwater or 2) this could be a metaphor meaning the place of the dead (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]). In either case, the term probably refers to the fact that Jonah felt certain that he would die. Alternate translation: “But you saved me from dying in a deep place” or “But you saved my life from the place of the dead”
92 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**.
93 JON 2 7 jdr6 grammar-connect-time-simultaneous בְּ⁠הִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַ⁠י֙ נַפְשִׁ֔⁠י 1 When my soul fainted within me, When my spirit fainted regarding me, Jonahs says that he remembered Yahweh when he had lost hope of being rescued from the sea. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) This phrase could mean either: 1) Jonah was already in the process of dying when he remembered Yahweh; or 2) Jonah had given up hope of being rescued and resigned himself to the fact that he would die. Alternate translation: “When my life was fainting away from me” or “When my spirit inside me had fainted” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
94 JON 2 8 jdrE נַפְשִׁ֔⁠י 1 my spirit Here the Hebrew term **my spirit** could also mean ***my life***.
95 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.”
96 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]]) Jonah speaks as if his prayers could travel to God and his temple. This means that God heard his prayer and responded to it. Alternate translation: “then you in your holy temple heard my prayer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
97 JON 2 8 7 u1l9 jdrF figs-metonymy מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ 1 Those who give attention to useless idols your holy temple ***People who pay attention to useless gods*** Here the term “holy temple” may have either a literal or a figurative meaning, or perhaps both. Jonah might be speaking about the literal temple in Jerusalem, or he might be speaking about God’s dwelling place in Heaven. See the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
98 JON 2 8 fac9 u1l9 figs-idiom חַסְדָּ֖⁠ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא 1 forsake loving faithfulness Those who give attention to empty vanities ***are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them*** Here the term “empty vanities” is probably an idiom referring to idols of false gods. Alternate translation: “Those who give attention to useless idols” or “Those who pay attention to useless gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
99 JON 2 9 8 q3yb fac9 grammar-connect-words-phrases וַ⁠אֲנִ֗י חַסְדָּ֖⁠ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ 1 But as for me, forsake their covenant faithfulness 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]]) Here, **covenant faithfulness** could refer to 1) the faithfulness of God or 2) the faithfulness of the people. Therefore, it could mean 1) “are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them” or 2) “are abandoning their commitment to you”
100 JON 2 9 nfd2 q3yb Grammar-connect-logic-contrast בְּ⁠ק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔⁠ךְ וַ⁠אֲנִ֗י 1 I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving But as for me, 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. This expression 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
101 JON 2 9 r4j4 nfd2 figs-abstractnouns יְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה בְּ⁠ק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔⁠ךְ 1 Salvation is from Yahweh I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving 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]]) This phrase probably 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.
102 JON 2 9 jdrH יְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה 1 Salvation belongs to Yahweh This last line of the poem can be understood in one of two ways: either 1) as being addressed to Yahweh as part of the description of the prayer; or 2) as being addressed to another person as a conclusion to the description of the prayer. See also the Note concerning the phrase “I cried out to Yahweh from my distress…” in [2:2](../02/02/jdrC).
103 JON 2 9 r4j4 figs-abstractnouns יְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה 1 Salvation belongs to 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]])
104 JON 2 10 dz3j אֶל־הַ⁠יַּבָּשָֽׁה 1 upon the dry land ***upon the ground*** or ***onto the shore***
105 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> # 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 seem inconsistent with the fact that God’s character and his plans do not change. But this whole book is written from a human viewpoint and so it presents the actions of God as Jonah saw them. God had told Jonah to warn the Ninevites of judgment for their sin. <br><br>Yahweh is just, but he is also merciful. Because the Ninevites repented, God did not follow through with a judgment in this instance, and Jonah described that in a human way as “changing his mind.” The reader understands that this was God’s plan from the beginning. (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>
106 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]])
107 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]]) This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke in some way.. 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]])
108 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*** ***Go to the large and important city of Nineveh***
109 JON 3 2 cl3b figs-idiom ק֛וּם 1 Get up This refers to leaving the place one is at. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) **Get up** here is an idiom intended to motivate Jonah to obey the next command, which is “go.” See how you translated this in 1:2 and 1:3. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
110 JON 3 2 ir79 וִּ⁠קְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ אֶת־הַ⁠קְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽי⁠ךָ 1 proclaim to it the message that I tell you call out to it the proclamation that I tell to you ***tell the people what I tell you to tell them*** ***tell the people there what I tell you to tell them***
111 JON 3 3 k7k9 figs-idiom 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*** Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to God’s command to go, and this time he obeyed instead of disobeying. Alternate translation: ***This time Jonah obeyed Yahweh and went to Nineveh*** or “So Jonah left the beach and went to Nineveh, as Yahweh had commanded him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
112 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]]) ***the message of Yahweh*** or ***the command of Yahweh***
113 JON 3 3 j8x1 dt1b figs-idiom writing-background וַ⁠יָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וְ⁠נִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים 1 So Jonah got up Now Nineveh was an extremely large city, a journey of three days ***So Jonah left the beach***. The words **got up** refer to preparing to go somewhere. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) This sentence gives background information about the city of Nineveh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
114 JON 3 3 dt1b ye82 writing-background figs-idiom וְ⁠נִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים 1 Now Nineveh was a very large city, a journey of three days. an extremely 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]]) This appears to mean that a person had to walk for three days to completely go through it from one side of the city to the opposite side. It could also mean that it took three days to see the whole city. Alternate translation: “a city so large that it would take a person three days to walk through it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
115 JON 3 3 4 ye82 r2al figs-idiom עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים וַ⁠יָּ֤חֶל יוֹנָה֙ לָ⁠ב֣וֹא בָ⁠עִ֔יר מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ 1 a very large city, a journey of three days So Jonah began to go into the city a journey of one day, and he called out ***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]]) This phrase has two possible meanings: 1) Jonah walked a day’s journey into the city, then he started calling out; or 2) while Jonah was walking through the city on the first day, he started calling out.
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”
116 JON 3 4 r94k וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֔ר 1 and he called out and said ***and he proclaimed*** or ***and he shouted***
117 JON 3 4 ab78 ע֚וֹד אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם 1 Until 40 days ***After 40 days*** or ***In 40 days*** ***There remain 40 days, and***
118 JON 3 4 q2nc translate-numbers אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם 1 40 days ***forty days*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
119 JON 3 5 e5lm ab90 figs-explicit Translate-symaction וַ⁠יִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים וַ⁠יִּקְרְאוּ־ צוֹם֙ 1 and put on sackcloth they proclaimed a fast 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]]) People fasted to show sadness or devotion to God or both. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
120 JON 3 5 isk5 e5lm figs-explicit מִ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖⁠ם וְ⁠עַד־קְטַנָּֽ⁠ם וַ⁠יִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים 1 from the greatest of them down to the least of them and put on sackcloth ***from the most significant to the least significant people*** or ***including all the important people and all the unimportant people*** The reason 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]])
121 JON 3 6 5 pna3 isk5 הַ⁠דָּבָר֙ מִ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖⁠ם וְ⁠עַד־קְטַנָּֽ⁠ם 1 word from the greatest of them even to the least of them ***Jonah’s message*** ***from the most significant to the least significant people*** or ***including all of the important people and all of the unimportant people***
122 JON 3 6 h9wz pna3 וַ⁠יָּ֨קָם֙ מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ הַ⁠דָּבָר֙ 1 He rose up from his throne the word ***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. ***Jonah’s message***
123 JON 3 6 pvp7 h9wz Translate-symaction מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יָּ֨קָם֙ מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ 1 throne and he rose up from his throne A throne is a chair that the king sits on. It shows that he is the king. ***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. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
124 JON 3 7 6 v29b pvp7 וַ⁠יַּזְעֵ֗ק וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙…לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ 1 He proclaimed and said his throne ***He sent out an official announcement that said*** or ***He sent his messengers to announce to the people in Nineveh*** A throne is a special chair that a king sits on when performing his official duties as king. It is reserved for only the king.
125 JON 3 7 6 n5fn ab91 Translate-symaction וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו וַ⁠יֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל־ הָ⁠אֵֽפֶר 1 nobles and sat in ashes important men who helped the king rule the city Sitting in ashes was a way to show great humility and sorrow. In this case, it was to show how sorry he was for his sin. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
126 JON 3 7 xw6c v29b הַ⁠בָּקָ֣ר וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּ֗אן וַ⁠יַּזְעֵ֗ק וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙…לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר 1 herd nor flock And he proclaimed and spoke This refers to two kinds of animals that people care for. Alternate translation: “cattle nor sheep” ***He sent out an official announcement that said*** or ***He sent his messengers to announce***
127 JON 3 7 fw18 ab79 figs-explicit אַ֨ל־יִרְע֔וּ וּ⁠מַ֖יִם אַל־יִשְׁתּֽוּ מִ⁠טַּ֧עַם הַ⁠מֶּ֛לֶךְ וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו 1 Let them not eat, nor drink water from a decree of the king and his nobles ***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]]) ***a command with the full authority of the king and his officials***
128 JON 3 8 7 bmf5 n5fn figs-activepassive וְ⁠יִתְכַּסּ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֗ים הָֽ⁠אָדָם֙ וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו 1 But let man and animal be covered with sackcloth nobles 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]]) The term **nobles** refers to important men who helped the king rule the city.
129 JON 3 8 7 x6ct xw6c וְ⁠יִתְכַּסּ֣וּ…הָֽ⁠אָדָם֙ וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה הַ⁠בָּקָ֣ר וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּ֗אן 1 But let man and animal herd or flock ***But let both*** This refers to two kinds of animals that people care for. A ‘herd’ is made up of large livestock (such as oxen or cattle) and a ‘flock’ is made up of small livestock (such as sheep or goats). Alternate translation: “cattle or sheep”
130 JON 3 8 7 mzx6 fw18 figs-explicit וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה אַ֨ל־יִרְע֔וּ וּ⁠מַ֖יִם אַל־יִשְׁתּֽוּ 1 animal they must not graze, and they must not drink water The word ***animal*** refers to animals that people own. ***They must not eat or 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]])
131 JON 3 8 jh7e mzx6 figs-explicit וְ⁠יִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠חָזְקָ֑ה וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה 1 let them cry out loudly to God every animal ***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]]) Here the word ***animal*** refers to animals that people own.
132 JON 3 8 n3ls jh7e figs-explicit הֶ⁠חָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּ⁠כַפֵּי⁠הֶֽם וְ⁠יִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠חָזְקָ֑ה 1 the violence that is in his hands and they must cry out to God with strength This means ***the violent things that he does***. This refers to each of the people of Nineveh, and not to God. ***and they must pray earnestly to God***. What the people were to pray for can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and they must cry out loudly to God and ask for mercy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
133 JON 3 9 8 wbt6 n3ls figs-rquestion מִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ הֶ⁠חָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּ⁠כַפֵּי⁠הֶֽם 1 Who knows? the violence that is in his hands 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]]) Here **hands** is a metonym meaning doing. This refers to the violence that the people of Nineveh were doing. Alternate translation: “the violent things that he has done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
134 JON 3 9 z3jj wbt6 figs-rquestion יָשׁ֔וּב וְ⁠נִחַ֖ם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים מִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ 1 God may turn and relent Who knows? ***God may decide to do something different*** or ***God may not do what he said he will do*** The king used this rhetorical question to get the people to think about something that is possible, but uncertain: 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]])
135 JON 3 9 uvp9 z3jj figs-metaphor וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד יָשׁ֔וּב וְ⁠נִחַ֖ם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 so that we do not perish This god might turn back and have compassion ***so we do not die*** Here the author speaks of God changing his mind about bringing judgment as if God were turning around and walking in the opposite direction. Alternate translation: “God may decide instead to have compassion” or “God may do the opposite of what he said and be merciful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
136 JON 3 10 9 w3uu jdrG figs-idiom וַ⁠יַּ֤רְא הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂי⁠הֶ֔ם מֵ⁠חֲר֥וֹן אַפּ֖⁠וֹ 1 God saw their works from the burning of his nose ***God understood that they stopped doing evil actions*** Here **the burning of his nose** is an idiom meaning that the person is angry. Alternate translation: “from his anger” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
137 JON 3 10 9 k8am uvp9 figs-metaphor שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד 1 they turned from their evil so that we will not perish 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]]) ***and we will not die***
138 JON 3 10 i1gp w3uu figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּנָּ֣חֶם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־הָ⁠רָעָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר לַ⁠עֲשׂוֹת־לָ⁠הֶ֖ם וַ⁠יַּ֤רְא הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂי⁠הֶ֔ם כִּי־שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה 1 So God relented concerning the disaster that he had said he would do to them And God saw their deeds, that they turned away from their evil ways 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]]) ***God saw that they stopped doing evil actions***
139 JON 3 10 k8am figs-metaphor שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה 1 they turned from their evil ways Here the author speaks of the people stopping their sinning as if they turned around from walking on a path toward evil and started walking in the opposite direction. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
140 JON 3 10 ab85 וַ⁠יִּנָּ֣חֶם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־ הָ⁠רָעָ֛ה 1 And God relented in regard to the evil The word translated as “evil” here is very broad, including moral evil, physical evil, and everything that is bad. It is the same word used in the previous sentence (and verse 8) to describe the actions of the Ninevites. The author is showing that when people repent of moral evil, God relents of doing physical evil (punishment). God never does moral evil. If this is clear in your language, you may want to use the same word in both sentences. If that is not clear, you may want to use different words.
141 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]])
142 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> # 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 to everyone, whether Jew or pagan. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]])<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Prophecy not coming true<br><br>### It is important to see the relationship between a prophet and Yahweh. A prophet 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, because that shows that he was not a real prophet. But when Jonah told the city of Nineveh that it was going to be destroyed in forty days, it did not happen at that time. This is because God reserves the right to be merciful. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>## Jonah’s anger<br><br> <br><br>### When God did not destroy Nineveh, Jonah was angry with God because Jonah hated the people of Nineveh. They were enemies of Israel. But God wanted Jonah, and the readers of this book, to learn that God loves all people.<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>
143 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. But this was evil to Jonah, a great evil, and it burned to him. 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]])
144 JON 4 1 abc3 figs-metaphor figs-idiom וַ⁠יִּ֖חַר וַ⁠יִּ֖חַר לֽ⁠וֹ 1 and burned with anger and it burned to him Here Jonah's anger is spoken of as if was a fire burning inside him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) This is an idiom that speaks of Jonah’s anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. Alternate translation: “and he was very angry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
145 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]])
146 JON 4 2 k24b figs-rquestion אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י יְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י 1 O, Yahweh, was this not my word when I was in my country? Yahweh, was this not my word while 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]]) Jonah used this rhetorical question to tell God how angry he was. If it is more clear, this can be made into a statement. Alternate translation: “Ah, Yahweh, this is what I said when I was still in my own country!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]
147 JON 4 2 ab79 figs-explicit יְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י 1 Yahweh, was this not my word while I was in my country? 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-explicit]])
148 JON 4 2 ab81 figs-idiom אֶ֤רֶךְ אַפַּ֨יִם֙ 1 long of nostrils This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh does not get angry quickly. Alternate translation: “slow to get angry” or “very patient” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
149 JON 4 2 jv5c וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֔סֶד 1 and abundant in covenant faithfulness ***and very faithful*** or ***and you love people very much***
150 JON 4 2 wl7j figs-explicit וְ⁠נִחָ֖ם עַל־הָ⁠רָעָֽה 1 and one who relents from sending disaster and one who relents from evil 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” Here, **evil** refers to the physical destruction of the city of Nineveh and its people. It does not refer to moral evil. In this context, this phrase means that God feels sadness about causing bad things to happen to people who sin and he changes his mind when sinners repent of their sin. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and you feel sadness about causing disaster for sinners” or “and you decide not to punish sinners who repent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
151 JON 4 3 dm5t figs-explicit קַח־נָ֥א אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖⁠י מִמֶּ֑⁠נִּי 1 take my soul from me I beg you, 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]])
152 JON 4 3 yk5v כִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י 1 for it is better for me to die than for me to live for my death is better than my life ***I would prefer to die than live*** or ***because I want to die. I do not want to live*** ***I would prefer to die than to live*** or ***because I want to die. I do not want to live***
153 JON 4 4 eb4a ab82 figs-rquestion figs-idiom הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ 1 Is it good for you to burn with anger? Is it right that it burns to you? 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]]) This is an idiom that speaks of Jonah’s anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. See how you translated it in 4:1. Alternate translation: “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
154 JON 4 5 4 q1f7 ab83 Figs-explicit וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָ⁠עִ֔יר הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ 1 Then Jonah went out of the city Is it right that it burns to you? ***Then Jonah left the city of Nineveh*** The reason for Jonah’s anger can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Is it right for you to be angry that I did not destroy Nineveh?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
155 JON 4 5 af46 q1f7 מַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּ⁠עִֽיר וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָ⁠עִ֔יר 1 what might happen to the city Then Jonah went out from 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” ***Then Jonah left the city of Nineveh***
156 JON 4 6 5 i4r4 af46 מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה לִֽ⁠הְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ מַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּ⁠עִֽיר 1 over Jonah so that it might be shade over his head what would transpire within the city ***over Jonah’s head for shade*** Jonah wanted to see if God would destroy the city or not. Alternate translation: “what would become of the city” or “what God would do to the city”
157 JON 4 6 t21k i4r4 לְ⁠הַצִּ֥יל ל֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠רָֽעָת֑⁠וֹ מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה לִֽ⁠הְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ 1 to rescue him from his distress from over Jonah to be a shade over his head ***to protect Jonah from the heat of the sun*** ***over Jonah’s head for shade***
158 JON 4 7 6 t7il t21k וַ⁠יְמַ֤ן הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת לְ⁠הַצִּ֥יל ל֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠רָֽעָת֑⁠וֹ 1 But God prepared a worm to rescue him from his evil ***But God sent a worm*** Here the term “evil” could mean two things (or both at the same time): 1) “discomfort” or “distress,” meaning the intense heat of the sun shining on Jonah’s head; or 2) “wrong,” meaning Jonah’s wrong attitude concerning God’s decision not to destroy Nineveh. If both meanings can be preserved, that is preferable. If not, you can choose an Alternate translation: “to protect Jonah from the heat of the sun” or “to save Jonah from his wrong attitude”
159 JON 4 7 rw7z t7il וַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן וַ⁠יְמַ֤ן הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת 1 It attacked the plant Then God appointed a worm ***The worm chewed the plant*** ***Then God sent a worm***
160 JON 4 7 d16m rw7z וַ⁠יִּיבָֽשׁ וַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן 1 so that it withered and it attacked the plant The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “so that the plant died” ***and the worm chewed the plant***
161 JON 4 8 7 jdr9 d16m grammar-connect-time-background וַ⁠יְהִ֣י׀ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ וַ⁠יִּיבָֽשׁ 1 It came about that when the sun rose, and it withered The hot wind from the east started blowing shortly after the sun rose. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]]) The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “so that the plant died”
162 JON 4 8 hmi4 jdr9 figs-explicit grammar-connect-time-background וַ⁠יְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית וַ⁠יְהִ֣י׀ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ 1 God prepared a hot east wind And as soon as the rising of the sun happened 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]]) The rising of the sun is background information that gives the time when the hot wind from the east started blowing. Express this relationship in a natural way in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
163 JON 4 8 hmi4 figs-explicit וַ⁠יְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית 1 then God appointed a hot east wind God caused a hot wind from the east to blow on Jonah. If “wind” in your language 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]])
164 JON 4 8 mnu9 וַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ 1 the sun beat down ***the sun was very hot***
165 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]]) This phrase may have a literal meaning or a figurative meaning. Perhaps Jonah felt the heat most on his head, or perhaps the phrase **the head of Jonah** is a synecdoche meaning Jonah’s entire body. Alternate translation: “on Jonah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
166 JON 4 8 z95v וַ⁠יִּתְעַלָּ֑ף 1 and he became faint ***and he became very weak*** or ***and he lost his strength***
167 JON 4 8 eln6 ab87 ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י וַ⁠יִּשְׁאַ֤ל אֶת־ נַפְשׁ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠מ֔וּת 1 It is better for me to die than for me to live he asked his spirit to die ***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). Jonah is talking to himself. Alternate translation: “he wished he would die” or “he wanted to die”
168 JON 4 9 8 a5f5 eln6 figs-rquestion הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְ⁠ךָ֖ עַל־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י 1 Is it good for you to burn with anger about the plant? My death is better than my life 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]]) ***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).
169 JON 4 9 w24z figs-explicit הַ⁠הֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְ⁠ךָ֖ עַל־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן 1 Is it good for you to burn with anger about the plant? Is it good that it burns to you 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]]) In this context, God’s question is intended to lead Jonah to draw a conclusion about his selfish attitude. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Is it right that you should be so angry about the plant that only gave shade to you?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
170 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 it burns to me, even as far as death. ***It is good that I am angry. Now I am angry enough to die!*** ***I am right to be angry. I am angry enough to die!***
171 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]]) Here Yahweh is speaking to Jonah. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Yahweh said to Jonah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
172 JON 4 11 10 jdr0 ab88 grammar-connect-words-phrases figs-idiom וַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ שֶׁ⁠בִּן־ לַ֥יְלָה הָיָ֖ה וּ⁠בִן־ לַ֥יְלָה אָבָֽד־ לַ֥יְלָה 1 So as for me, it came as a son of a night, and it perished as a son of a night 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]]) This idiom means that the plant existed only briefly. Alternate translation: “It grew in one night and died the next” or “It grew quickly and died just as quickly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
173 JON 4 11 ecl1 jdr0 figs-rquestion grammar-connect-words-phrases וַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִינְוֵ֖ה הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ וּ⁠בְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה וַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ 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? So as for me, 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]]) This expression, paired with **As for you** in verse 10, shows a comparison between Jonah’s attitude toward the plant and Yahweh’s attitude toward the people of Nineveh. Express this comparison in a natural way in your language.(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
174 JON 4 11 dqi1 ecl1 figs-rquestion אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ וַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִינְוֵ֖ה הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ וּ⁠בְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה 1 in which there are more than So as for me, should I not feel troubled about Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand, and many animals? This can also be the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: ***There are more than*** or ***It has more than*** God used this rhetorical 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]])
175 JON 4 11 dqi1 אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ 1 in which there are more than This can also be translated as the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: ***There are more than*** or ***It has more than***
176 JON 4 11 c3b7 translate-numbers מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם 1 120,000 people ***one hundred and twenty thousand people*** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
177 JON 4 11 j35h figs-idiom 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***. This idiom means, ***who do not know the difference between right and wrong***. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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]])