T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. In my opinion, you cant get a better brief commentary on this wonderful little book. Nov 19, 2012 so based on the date and message of the book of jonah, the view of this commentary is that jonah is the originator of the story, but it was passed down orally for several hundred years, being modified and changed over time, until it was eventually recorded by a later author who lived in judea during the postexilic time period, and was using the. God spoke to jonah in his own unique and powerful way and he told jonah to do two.
The prophetic significance of this book not only lies in the short message in nineveh but also in the entire history of jonah described in his book. Jonah started out and made his way into the city the distance of one days walk, and proclaimed. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1. Jonah flees from the lord the word of the lord came to jonah son of amittai. Jonah brazos theological commentary on the bible kindle.
The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Jonah did not want to go on this mission and attempted to flee to tarshish in spain. And one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike. The purpose of the book of jonah was to encourage all gods people to extend mercy to the nations of the world, something they were not at all inclined to do. An easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary commentary on the book of jonah. In phillip carys 2008 commentary on jonah, he shows that those who have the courage and humility to let jonahs story confront them will be challenged to deepen their understanding of gods mercy and wrestle once again with the meaning of the proclamation in exodus. Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. When he was in trouble, under the tokens of gods displeasure against him for sin. Spurgeons bible commentaries commentary on the song of solomon spurgeon commentary series holman old testament commentary hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, micah spurgeons sermon notes.
The book of jonah is unique among the books of the prophets. It does seem safe to conclude that this jonah is the same person as the jonah who is the subject of the book of jonah, especially since both are identified as the son of amittai 2 cp. Especially when you come to the book of chronicles and you get all the begets. The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. As the sections are completed, this is where they will get posted. The book of jonah is a story about a prophet rather than a prophecy.
The book of hosea consists of fourteen chapters, which was the record for a minor prophet until zechariah tied it a couple centuries later. David kimchi was an important scholar of hebrew grammar and wrote michlol, an early comprehensive study of it. He went down to joppa and found a ship going to tarshish. Jonah 1 jonah running from god a sermon by jeremy myers. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries.
Jonah 1, new international version niv the bible app. In phillip carys 2008 commentary on jonah, he shows that those who have the courage and humility to let jonahs story confront them will be challenged to deepen their understanding of gods mercy and wrestle once. He also has a great section on the use of jonah in christian art. When the lord calls him to preach to ninevah, jonah immediately. You can find the best commentary on jonah for you using the tools on the right side.
Many critics however want to lower the book of jonah to an allegory, a parable or a legend because of the miracles described in it especially the appearing of the great fish devouring jonah. Jonah 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Jonah went at once to nineveh in accordance with the lords command. The style of the book of jonah is distinctive among the prophetic books. Jonah 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. Jonah, however, started out to flee to tarshish from the lords service. I used to think that god never gave reasons for what he does but now i am convinced that god always makes commentary to jonah rev. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. Israel, the northern country consisting of ten tribes, and judah, the remaining two tribes in the south.
For i know what the prophet jonah has said about nineveh. We left jonah in the belly of the fish, and had reason to think we should hear no more of him, that if he were not destroyed by the waters of the sea he would be consumed in the bowels of that leviathan, out of whose mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire, and whose breath kindles coals, job. This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same. The literary content of the book of jonah begins with the call of the prophet to proclaim the message of yhwh to nineveh in assyria. But the book of jonah is not meant to be a historical account. God delights in showing mercy to repentant gentiles. Yahweh calls the prophet jonah to go and preach judgement on. The book of tobit, though not in the canon, is all the same used by the men of the church, and he it. Aug 10, 2010 and one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. Commentary on the book of jonah by matthew henry old.
The vast majority of commentators and students of the book of jonah still adhere to one of the first three readings or some combination thereof see david kimhi on 1. The content of the book enjoys more notoriety than it deserves because of the miraculous elements which make up a large part of it. The book of jonah is listed among the minor prophets, but jonah is nowhere in this book called a prophet. The prophecy of jonah to jeroboam conveys some important background material to enhance our understanding of this book. This commentary has been through advanced theological checking. Rather, it is something like a theological short story. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a. The result is the most extensive commentary now available on the book of jonah. Go to the great city of nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me. Gods ministry to jonah chapter 4 the bible exposition commentary, cook communications, colorado springs, 2002, p. Jonah 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Although the content of the message is coming judgment 1. Jonah 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Based on the same format and design as the torah volumes, jonah provides a critical linebyline commentary of the biblical text, which is presented in its original hebrew, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, as well as the jps english translation.
Jonah 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary by albert barnes, a dedicated student of the bible, continues to be very popular even today. In view of that curiosity, says sasson, i have had to devote much space to establishing what the book of jonah says, what ancient translators understood it to say, and what contemporary authorities think it should say x. As the grace commentary on jonah is written, posts will be added to the chapters below. Haimo of auxerre teams commentary by deborah everhart jul 1, 1993.
The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart. Their wickedness, as that of nineveh, is a bold and open affront to god. During the time of the minor prophets, the nation of israel had divided into two separate countries, each with its own government. Over 250 sermons including notes, commentary and illustrations according to promise. Jonah was the son of amittai, of gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in jos 19. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. The book of jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan. Concern for the salvation of all people, including ones enemies, is the proper attitude for people of god. I am currently writing commentary on the book of jonah. Commentary on the book of jonah relevant bible teaching. Before we dive into the book, let me provide the historical setting of jonah. It covers all the interpretive issues with skill and care.
The book of jonah is short, but its brevity does nothing to reduce the significance of the theological questions it raises. Jonah therefore is the only prophet of the ot revealing the grace of god towards the heathen. He examines jonahs inner process, telling us what jonah must have. Full text in english of the book of jonah my jewish learning. The issue is complicated somewhat by the use of the. Commentary on the book of jonah jonah 1 1the word of the lord came to jonah the son of amittai saying, 2arise, go to nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before me. Jonah 1 commentary albert barnes notes on the whole bible. Nineveh was an enormously large city a three days walk across. Aside from portions of the book of jeremiah and daniel, all of the other prophetic books focus primarily on the message of the prophet.
Go at once to nineveh, that great city, and proclaim judgment upon it. There are a number of helpful commentaries on jonah, and the following are five of the best. It tells the story of jonahs rocky relationship with god. It tells of a hebrew prophet named jonah son of amittai who is sent by god to prophesy the destruction of nineveh but tries to escape the divine mission. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. The discovery of him, and his disobedience, to be the cause of the storm v. This meant according to the understanding of jonah that nineveh would be destroyed. It tells the story of jonah s rocky relationship with god. All of nature obeys god in this book but a prophet of god does not. Jonah 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. The pursuit and arrest of him for that disobedience by a storm, in which he was asleep v. And jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. He is cast into the sea, and miraculously preserved. Jonah by james limburg 9780664212964 best commentaries.
The book of jonah relates how god told jonah to go to the major assyrian city of nineveh and there prophecy that after 40 days it would be overturned. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a dvar torah. However, the opening words of the book, now the word of yahweh came to jonah son of amittai 1. Although the author of jonah is never identified in the book itself, jonah himself has traditionally been identified as the author. The commentary clearly expounds the books message in harmony with the rest of the scriptures. Some of the key truths to emerge from this book are that god calls his people to seek the repentance of the nations. Jonah overview james burton coffman commentaries on the. He quotes his father in his commentary to the book of jonah. The main theme of the book of jonah is gods sovereignty over all people and his divine plan to extend his gift of mercy and salvation beyond israel to include the gentile nations. One could describe kimchis commentary as psychological.
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