Jonah 1:8

Authorized King James Version

Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלָ֔יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הַגִּידָה
they unto him Tell
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#4
נָּ֣א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#5
לָ֔נוּ
H0
#6
בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
לְמִי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#8
הָרָעָ֥ה
us we pray thee for whose cause this evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#9
הַזֹּ֖את
this (often used adverb)
#10
לָ֑נוּ
H0
#11
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#12
מְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙
is upon us What is thine occupation
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#13
וּמֵאַ֣יִן
and whence
where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
#14
תָּב֔וֹא
comest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#15
מָ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#16
אַרְצֶ֔ךָ
thou what is thy country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
וְאֵֽי
where? hence how?
#18
מִזֶּ֥ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#19
עַ֖ם
and of what people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#20
אָֽתָּה׃
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jonah, this passage highlights salvation through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Jonah's theological argument.

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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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