But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah's response is immediate rebellion: "But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD." The Hebrew repeats "from the presence of the LORD" (milifnei YHWH, מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה) twice—emphasizing Jonah's foolish attempt to escape God's presence.
"Tarshish" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ) was likely in Spain or coastal Mediterranean, representing the farthest western point known to Israelites—opposite direction from Nineveh (east). Jonah doesn't merely delay obedience; he runs the wrong way as fast and far as possible. The verb "went down" (yarad, יָרַד) appears three times (went down to Joppa, down into the ship, and in 1:5, down into the ship's hold). This descent becomes spiritual metaphor—running from God is always downward movement.
The phrase "from the presence of the LORD" shows theological confusion. Psalm 139:7-12 asks: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" The answer: nowhere. Yet Jonah, despite being a prophet who should know better, attempts the impossible. Perhaps he hoped distance from the land where God commanded him might nullify the commission. Or maybe he feared that if he preached and Nineveh repented, God's mercy would spare Israel's future destroyer—exactly what happens and what Jonah later admits motivated his flight (4:2).
"He paid the fare thereof" (vayyiten sekarah) indicates Jonah financed his rebellion—using personal resources to fund disobedience. Sin always costs, and running from God is expensive. The irony deepens: Jonah pays to flee from God's commission, while the pagan sailors (verse 5) pray to their gods. Throughout chapter 1, pagan sailors display more spiritual sensitivity than God's prophet—they pray, Jonah sleeps; they fear properly, Jonah remains callous; they show compassion, Jonah accepts death rather than obey.
Historical Context
Jonah son of Amittai prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (2 Kings 14:25), around 780-760 BC. God commanded him to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria—the brutal empire that would later destroy Israel (722 BC). Assyrian kings were notorious for extreme cruelty, boasting in their inscriptions about impalement, flaying, and mass deportations. For an Israelite prophet, preaching salvation to Assyria was like asking a Holocaust survivor to evangelize Nazi Germany. Jonah's flight to Tarshish (opposite direction) reveals both ethnic prejudice and theological confusion about God's mercy extending to pagan nations. When Nineveh repented and God relented, Jonah became angry, preferring their destruction. The book concludes with God's gentle rebuke, revealing His compassion for all people.
The book of Jonah stands as a rebuke to narrow nationalism and an anticipation of the gospel's universal scope. Jesus referenced Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of His death and resurrection, while condemning His generation for not repenting like Nineveh did (Matthew 12:39-41). The early church struggled with the same prejudice Jonah displayed when Gentiles began believing in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
How does Jonah 1:3 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jonah's response is immediate rebellion: "But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD." The Hebrew repeats "from the presence of the LORD" (milifnei YHWH, מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה) twice—emphasizing Jonah's foolish attempt to escape God's presence.
"Tarshish" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ) was likely in Spain or coastal Mediterranean, representing the farthest western point known to Israelites—opposite direction from Nineveh (east). Jonah doesn't merely delay obedience; he runs the wrong way as fast and far as possible. The verb "went down" (yarad, יָרַד) appears three times (went down to Joppa, down into the ship, and in 1:5, down into the ship's hold). This descent becomes spiritual metaphor—running from God is always downward movement.
The phrase "from the presence of the LORD" shows theological confusion. Psalm 139:7-12 asks: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" The answer: nowhere. Yet Jonah, despite being a prophet who should know better, attempts the impossible. Perhaps he hoped distance from the land where God commanded him might nullify the commission. Or maybe he feared that if he preached and Nineveh repented, God's mercy would spare Israel's future destroyer—exactly what happens and what Jonah later admits motivated his flight (4:2).
"He paid the fare thereof" (vayyiten sekarah) indicates Jonah financed his rebellion—using personal resources to fund disobedience. Sin always costs, and running from God is expensive. The irony deepens: Jonah pays to flee from God's commission, while the pagan sailors (verse 5) pray to their gods. Throughout chapter 1, pagan sailors display more spiritual sensitivity than God's prophet—they pray, Jonah sleeps; they fear properly, Jonah remains callous; they show compassion, Jonah accepts death rather than obey.