JONAH’S DISOBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT. (1) NOW... — More strictly, _And_; but the English quite adequately represents the Hebrew style of beginning a narrative, whether it formed a book by itself, or merely continued an historical account. (See the opening of Exodus, Leviticus, and other historical b... [ Continue Reading ]
NINEVEH, THAT GREAT CITY. — The size of Nineveh is throughout the book brought into prominent notice. (See Jonah 3:2; Jonah 4:11.) The traditions preserved in Greek and Roman writers dwell on the same feature; and modern researches among the huge mounds scattered along the left bank of the Tigris mo... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT JONAH ROSE UP TO FLEE. — The motive of the prophet’s flight is given by himself (Jonah 4:2). He foresaw the repentance of the city, and the mercy which would be displayed towards it, and was either jealous of his prophetic reputation, or had a patriotic dislike of becoming a messenger of good to... [ Continue Reading ]
SENT OUT. — The Hebrew word (see margin, and comp. Jonah 1:5; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 1:15, where the same word is rendered “cast forth”) expresses the sudden burst of the storm. A squall struck the ship. The coast was well known to sailors as dangerous. (See Josephus, _Ant. xv._ 9, § 6, _B. J._ iii. 9. §... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CRIED EVERY MAN UNTO HIS GOD. — If Phœnicians, the sailors would have their favourite deities in the national Pantheon; but they may have been a motley crew composed of various nationalities. For the panic comp. Psalms 107:23, and Shakespeare’s _Tempest,_ “All lost! to prayers! to prayers, all... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHIPMASTER... — Literally, _the chief of those who work at the rope._ Jewish nautical terms are infrequent and therefore obscure. The word _mariners,_ in Jonah 1:5, correctly renders a term which seems, from its use in Ezekiel 27:8; Ezekiel 27:27; Ezekiel 27:29, as well as from its derivation (f... [ Continue Reading ]
COME, AND LET US CAST LOTS. — We are to suppose that Jonah, coming on deck in compliance with the captain’s request, adds his prayers to those of the crew. Finding all unavailing, the sailors propose recourse to the ancient custom of casting lots to discover the guilty person against whom the deitie... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHOSE CAUSE... — The Hebrew idiom is peculiar, _on account of which to whom;_ but in this verse, when addressed by the sailors to the prophet, it is expressed in a more elegant form than when used to each other in the preceding verse, one among many touches marking the artistic perfection of thi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID... — “The emergency recalls Jonah to his true self. All the better part of his character now comes out. His conduct throughout the remainder of the chapter is dignified and manly, worthy of a servant and prophet of Jehovah” (Perowne). I AM A HEBREW. — The original order is more striking... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY HAST. — Rather, _What is this that thou hast done?_ The question expresses horror, not curiosity. FOR THE MEN KNEW THAT. — Jonah’s answer in Jonah 1:9 is evidently intended only as an abbreviation of what he actually replied.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL WE. — The prophet would of course know how to appease the God he had displeased. MAY BE CALM UNTO US. — See margin. The word rendered _calm_ occurs (Psalms 107:30) of a _lull_ after a storm, and in Proverbs 26:20 metaphorically, of _peace_ after strife. WROUGHT, AND WAS TEMPESTUOUS. — L... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST ME FORTH INTO THE SEA. — There was no need of prophetic inspiration to enable Jonah to pass this sentence upon himself. He is too manly not to prefer to perish without involving others in his ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
ROWED HARD. — This is a sufficient rendering of _the_ Hebrew verb, though it misses the metaphor. In every other instance of its use the word refers to the violence employed in breaking through a wall or enclosure. (See Ezekiel 8:8; Ezekiel 12:5; Ezekiel 12:7; Job 24:16; Amos 9:2; and compare the us... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE THEY CRIED UNTO THE LORD. — There is presented here, as throughout the book, a strong contrast between the readiness of the heathen to receive religious impressions, and the stubbornness and obstinacy of Israel. FOR THIS MAN’S LIFE... — _i.e.,_ for taking it. The _law of retaliation_ was... [ Continue Reading ]
RAGING. — Comp. _maris ira,_ Ovid. _Met._ i. 330; _iratum mare,_ Hor. _Epod._ ii.57. “At whose burden The angered ocean foams.” SHAKESPEARE: _Ant. and Cleop._... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFERED. — There may have been some live-stock on board suitable for sacrifice; but the offering could only be completed on landing, wherefore they _made vows. _... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE LORD. — In the Hebrew, Jonah 2 commences with this verse. HAD PREPARED. — The pluperfect is misleading. Render _appointed,_ and comp. Jonah 4:6, where the same word is used of the _gourd,_ the _worm,_ and the _east wind._ The Authorised version renders the word accurately in Job 7:3; Daniel... [ Continue Reading ]