Jonah 1:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּ֤קָם

H6965

rose up

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יוֹנָה֙

H3124

But Jonah

jonah, an israelite

לִבְרֹ֣חַ

H1272

to flee

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה

H8659

to Tarshish

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

מִלִּפְנֵ֖י

H6440

from the presence

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֵּ֤רֶד

H3381

and went down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

יָפ֜וֹ

H3305

to Joppa

japho, a place in palestine

וַיִּמְצָ֥א

H4672

and he found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

#10

אָנִיָּ֣ה׀

H591

a ship

#11

לָב֤וֹא

H935

going

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#12

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה

H8659

to Tarshish

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

#13

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן

H5414

so he paid

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#14

שְׂכָרָ֜הּ

H7939

the fare

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

#15

וַיֵּ֤רֶד

H3381

and went down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

#16

בָּהּ֙

#17

לָב֤וֹא

H935

going

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#18

עִמָּהֶם֙

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#19

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה

H8659

to Tarshish

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

#20

מִלִּפְנֵ֖י

H6440

from the presence

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#21

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Jonah chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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