Jonah 1:11-12 Jonah 1:11-12-The Crew Asks Jonah For A Solution To The Problem And He Tells Them To Throw Him Overboard By way of review, the first of seven scenes in the book of Jonah appears in Jonah 1:1-3. Jonah 1:1 introduces to the reader the principle characters of the book of Jonah, namely, the Lord and Jonah who function in the narrative as protagonist and antagonist. All the other human characters in the narrative are unnamed with the exception of course, of Jonah s father, Amittai. These unnamed characters are foils to emphasize the relationship between Jonah and the Lord. Interestingly, the word of the Lord begins the narrative and ends it. Therefore, the book of Jonah is concerned with the effects and consequences of the word of the Lord. Next, in Jonah 1:2a, we saw the Lord commanding Jonah to go immediately to the great city of Nineveh. This journey from Gath-Hepher, Jonah s hometown to Nineveh is approximately 500 miles east, which would be a rugged journey. Then, in Jonah 1:2b, the Lord commands Jonah to announce judgment against the Ninevites because of their wickedness. Jonah 1:3 records Jonah disobeying the Lord s command to go immediately to Nineveh and announce judgment against its inhabitants because of their wickedness. Instead of going to Nineveh, the prophet heads in the opposite direction and boards a merchant ship at Joppa heading to Tarshish. Jonah 1:1, Now, a message from the Lord was communicated to Jonah, the son of Amittai, 2 You must go immediately to Nineveh, that great city and then announce judgment against it because their wickedness has come to my attention. 3 However, instead Jonah arose in order to flee to Tarshish from the commission of the Lord. Specifically, he traveled down to Joppa and then found a ship, which was heading to Tarshish. Next, he paid for her services. Then, he went down into her in order to head to Tarshish with them from the commission of the Lord. (My translation) Jonah 4:1-2 reveals that Jonan disobeyed the Lord because he knew full well that the Lord wanted him to issue a proclamation of impending destruction of Nineveh and its inhabitants in order to elicit a response from the Ninevites, namely that they would repent so He could not execute this judgment. So Jonah hated the Ninevites so much that he was willing to travel all the way across the Mediterranean Sea to get away from them. He is out of the geographical will of God meaning Jonah is not in the geographical location that the Lord has directed him to be in. He is out of this geographical will of God because he does not want the Ninevites to get saved. He has a great prejudice 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1
against the Ninevites and the nation of Assyria as a whole because they were a great enemy of Israel. Jonah is also going against the directive will of God meaning he is disobeying a direct command from the Lord. The Lord is permitting Jonah to disobey Him, which is the permissive will of God. However, Jonah will soon experience the overruling will of God in that the Lord will overrule Jonah s bad decision and will use a storm and a great fish to overrule his bad decision. The second scene in the book of Jonah appears in Jonah 1:4-16. Jonah 1:4 records the Lord responding to Jonah s disobedience by hurling a powerful wind on the sea that threatened to break up the ship. Jonah 1:4, However, the Lord caused a great wind to be hurled against the sea so that there was a great storm upon the sea. In fact, the ship s captain and crew were made to think they were being broken to pieces. (My translation) In Jonah 1:5, we see each of the crew members crying out to their gods and flinging the ship s cargo overboard in an attempt to save it while Jonah is sound asleep down below the ship s deck. Jonah 1:5, Consequently, the sailors were terrified so that each individual crew member cried out for help in distress to his own god. Then they hurled the cargo, which was in the ship into the sea in order to ease the burden upon them. However, Jonah went down into the inner most recesses of the ship. Then, he lay down and then fell into a deep hypnotic sleep. (My translation) This verse contrasts the frantic efforts of the crew to save their ship and their lives with that of Jonah s indifference. Undoubtedly, he must have been exhausted not only because of the journey to Joppa and seeking out a ship going to Tarshish but also he must have been exhausted and thus psychologically depressed by his determination to rebel against the command of the Lord to go to Nineveh. Then, in Jonah 1:6, we see that each of the crew members cries out to their gods and hurls the ship s cargo overboard in an attempt to save it while Jonah is sound asleep down below the ship s deck. Jonah 1:6, Next, the captain of the crew advanced toward him and then he posed a question to him, what are you doing sound asleep? Get up! Cry out for help to your god! Perhaps, your god will desire to act favorably for the benefit of himself and all of us so that we will by no means die. (My translation) The ship s captain s conduct stands in stark contrast with Jonah s since the former demonstrates great concern for his crew whereas Jonah has no concern at all. The storm presented a great opportunity to witness to the heathen crew of this Phoenician vessel. However, Jonah shows no desire to evangelize them. He is wasting a great opportunity to tell these men about the Lord. 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2
The captain also recognizes his need for divine intervention in this terrible storm that threatens the lives of himself and his crew whereas Jonah is dead to the world. The heathen captain uses prayer whereas the man of God sleeps. The captain s demand for prayer from Jonah is a rebuke as indicated by the fact that he uses the same language that the Lord used in commanding him to go to the Ninevites and announce judgment against that great city s inhabitants. Next, in Jonah 1:7, the crew casts lots to determine which individual on the ship was responsible for bringing this disastrous, life-threatening storm upon the ship and they discover that Jonah is fault. Jonah 1:7, Then, each individual crew member spoke to his mate, Come, let us cast lots in order that we may know on whose account, against whom this disaster has taken place against us. Consequently, they cast lots and as a result the lot fell on Jonah. (My translation) Like Jonah 1:4, this verse emphasizes the Lord s sovereignty over Jonah s life, i.e. his circumstances. It stresses with the reader that the Lord will exercise that sovereignty and omnipotence to change the prophet s mind about obeying His command to go to the great city of Nineveh and announce judgment against its inhabitants. Jonah 1:7 also emphasizes the providence of God, which expresses the fact that the world and our lives are not ruled by chance or fate but by God. It emphasizes that God is in control of Jonah s life and the life of the heathen crew. It stresses with the reader that the Lord controls the circumstances of our lives, right down to the lot that fell to Jonah. It emphasizes that it was no accident that Jonah s shard with his name on it was chosen. Jonah has learned the principle taught in Numbers 32:23 that his sin of disobeying the Lord has found him out. He thought he could hide it from the crew that he disobeyed the Lord and was the reason the storm came upon the ship. Numbers 32:20, Then Moses replied, If you will do this thing, and if you will arm yourselves for battle before the Lord, and if all your armed men cross the Jordan before the Lord until he drives out his enemies from his presence and the land is subdued before the Lord, then afterward you may return and be free of your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. This land will then be your possession in the Lord s sight. 23 But if you do not do this, then look, you will have sinned against the Lord. And know that your sin will find you out. (NET Bible) Jonah 1:8 records the crew interrogating Jonah. Jonah 1:8, Then, they interrogated him, Please for our sake tell us now on whose account, against who has this disaster taken place against us? What is your occupation? In fact, where do you come from? Specifically, from where in the world are your people? (My translation) 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3
Jonah 1:8 records the crew interrogating Jonah by asking him five questions. The answer to the first question was simply soliciting a confession from Jonah since Jonah 1:10 records that before the storm Jonah had told the crew that he was disobeying his commission from the Lord. Also, the fact that the lot fell to Jonah also indicated that the crew already knew the answer to the first question. Therefore, the question was simply designed to get Jonah to admit his guilt. The prophet does not answer the second question because he has already told the crew that he was a prophet as implied by the fact that he admitted to fleeing from the commission from the Lord. The last three questions are concerned with Jonah s origin since by determining his nationality, they could figure out which god is responsible for the storm since nationality and religion went together in the ancient Near East. The Lord is using the crew now to deal with Jonah s disobedience. First he used the storm. Then, he used the captain and then the drawing of lots and now he uses the questions of the crew to get Jonah to face up to his guilt and disobedience in refusing to go to Nineveh and announce judgment against its inhabitants. So the Lord is closing in Jonah and is about to put in a vice! Then, Jonah 1:9 records Jonah responding to the crew s interrogation of him by identifying himself as a Hebrew worshipper of the Lord God of heaven, who is the Creator of the sea and the dry land. Jonah 1:9, So, he answered them, I myself am a Hebrew, specifically, I myself am one who worships the Lord God of heaven who produced the sea as well as the dry land. (My translation) This passage records Jonah s response to the crew s interrogation of him recorded in verse 8. In this verse, he identifies his God as the source of the storm and implicitly that he is responsible for the Lord causing this great storm to come against the ship and thus endangering the entire crew and its captain. His description of himself expresses his national pride. The statement I myself am a Hebrew denotes Jonah s nationality distinguishing the Israelites from the Gentiles. It was a term commonly used by the Israelites to describe themselves to foreigners like these sailors on this ship to Tarshish. The disobedient prophet describes himself as a worshipper of the Lord God, which indicates that he has a personal covenant relationship with God who is immanent and transcendent. Jonah identifies his God as the creator of the earth and all that is in it. He is saying that his God is superior to the gods of the crew. This implies of course that his God has caused this disaster that has come upon the ship. Consequently, he also has implicitly admitted his guilt. So Jonah s description of himself in verse 9 coupled with his admission recorded in verse 10 that he was fleeing the commission from the Lord indicated to the crew that the disaster that presently engulfed the ship and threaten the lives of 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4
every one on board is the result of his disobedience to the Creator of the sea and dry land. Thus, Jonah has admitted his guilt. This confession is the central feature in the narrative that appears in verses 4-16 since it is the center of a literary chiasmus that begins in verse 4 and extends through verse 16 (Constable, Thomas L., Notes on Jonah-2009 Edition, page 13; copyright 2009; Published by Sonic Light: http://www.soniclight.com/). Jonah 1:10 records the crew rebuking Jonah after coming to the realization that he was being disciplined by God. Jonah s description of himself in verse 9 coupled with the fact that before the storm he admitted to fleeing from his commission from the Lord indicated to the crew that the disaster that presently engulfed the ship was the result of his disobedience to the Creator of the sea and dry land. Jonah 1:10, Then, the men became even more terrified. Then, they questioned him, how could you do this? (For you see, the men knew that he was fleeing from the commission of the Lord because he had previously told them.) (My translation) The question arises as to why he would tell the crew. He was not obligated to tell them. Purchasing the services of the crew for the trip to Tarshish would not involve being told the motivation to do so. Rather, all the captain and the crew would care about is that they got paid. Therefore, it appears that Jonah was burdened with a great sense of guilt. He is festering guilt and it became an emotional burden for him. It left him severely depressed. This is why he fell into a deep sleep. He had failed to confess the sin and obey the Lord and this prompted a guilt reaction. This produced great anguish in Jonah s soul. Anxiety is always self-induced. Adversity is inevitable in life, but stress is optional. Adversity is what life does to you, but stress is what you do to yourself. Jonah learned this truth. So Jonah tells the crew he is fleeing from his commission from the Lord because he has a guilt conscience. Jonah 1:4-10 records Jonah under divine discipline, which is an expression of God s love for His children. Next, we will note Jonah 1:11-12 and in this passage, the crew in desperation asks Jonah what they should do on behalf of him to make the sea calm and he responds by telling them to throw him overboard. Jonah 1:1, The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 4 The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. 5 Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5
and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep. 6 So the captain approached him and said, How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish. 7 Each man said to his mate, Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us. So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you? 9 He said to them, I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land. 10 Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, How could you do this? For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 So they said to him, What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us? for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. (NASU) So is the conjunction wa ( (ו (wa), which is prefixed to the qal imperfect form of the verb ʾā mǎr, said to form a waw-sequential construction. It functions as a marker of a sequence of closely related events indicating the next sequential event that took place on board this ship heading for Tarshish, namely the crew asked Jonah what they should do on behalf of him in order that the sea might become calm for them. We will translate the word next. Said is the third person masculine singular qal active imperfect form of the verb ʾā mǎr (אָמ ר) (aw-mar), which means to question since it is used of the crew posing a direct question to Jonah. The qal stem of the verb is fientive expressing an action on the part of the crew of this merchant ship asking Jonah what they should do on behalf of him in order to bring an end to this great storm. The active indicates that the crew as the subject performs the action of posing this question to Jonah. The imperfect tense speaks of this action of the crew as taking place in past time from the perspective of the writer. It is used with the conjunction waw to form a sequential clause. To him is composed of the preposition ʾěl (אַל) (al), to and the third person masculine singular suffixed form of the pronoun hû ( הוּ) (who), him. The pronomial suffix refers of course to Jonah and is the object of the preposition ěl, which is a marker of direction indicating the crew posed their question in the direction of Jonah. 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6
Jonah 1:11, So they said to him, What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us? for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. (NASU) What should we do to you? is composed of the interrogative pronoun mā(h) (maw), what and the first person plural masculine singular qal active perfect (מ ה) (ל ( e (aw-saw), should we do and the preposition l (ע שׂ ה) ʿā śā(h) form of the verb (le), to and the second person masculine singular form of the pronomial suffix ʾǎt tā(h) (א תּ ה) (aw-thaw), you. The interrogative pronoun mā(h) is a marker of a direct question and means what referring to a specific action that the crew must do on behalf of Jonah to end this great storm. The verb ʿā śā(h) means should we do and refers to a course of action that the crew must perform on behalf of Jonah. The pronomial suffix ʾǎt tā(h) refers of course to Jonah as the receiver and beneficiary of the action. It is the object of the preposition l e, which functions as a marker persons benefited by an event indicating that the crew is asking what specific course of action they must take on behalf of him and for the benefit of him that will bring the great storm to an end. The qal stem of the verb is fientive expressing an action on the part of the crew. The active voice indicates that the crew of the ship as the subject performs the action of the verb. The imperfect tense speaks of this action on the part of the crew in questioning Jonah in past time from the perspective of the writer. That the sea may become calm for us is composed of the modal use of the conjunction waw ( (ו (wa), that and the articular masculine singular form of the noun yām (י ם) (yawm), the sea and the third person masculine singular qal active imperfect form of the verb šā ṯǎq (שׁ ת ק) (shaw-thak), may become calm and the preposition min (מ ן) (min), for and the preposition al (אַל) (al) and the first person plural pronomial suffix ʾǎnǎḥ nû (א נ ח נוּ) (anaw-new), us. The modal waw is prefixed to the qal imperfect form of the verb šā ṯǎq in order to form a purpose clause indicating the purpose for which the crew performing some specific action on behalf of Jonah. We will translate the word in order that. The noun yām means sea and refers to the Mediterranean Sea. The verb šā ṯǎq means to be calm referring to the calm after a storm, a cessation of wind and waves. The qal stem and the active of the verb are stative indicating that sea in the state of being calm. The imperfect tense is used with the conjunction waw to denote purpose. The pronomial suffix ǎ nǎḥ nû refers to the crew and the captain of the ship. The preposition min is used in a causal sense indicating that the calming of the storm would be on account of the crew of the ship. The preposition al is a marker of 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7
persons benefited by an event indicating that the calming of the storm would be on behalf of the crew and the captain of the ship. We will translate this question What should we do on behalf of you in order that the sea may become calm on account of and on behalf of us? Corrected translation thus far of Jonah 1:11: Next, they asked him, what should we do on behalf of you in order that the sea may become calm on account of and on behalf of us Jonah 1:11, So they said to him, What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us? for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. (NASU) For the sea was becoming increasingly stormy is composed of the conjunction kî (כּ י) (kee), for and the articular masculine singular form of the noun yām (י ם) (yawm), the sea and the masculine singular qal active participle form of the verb hā lǎḵ (ה ל ך) (haw-lak) and the conjunction waw ( (ו (wa) followed by the masculine singular qal active participle form of the verb sā ʿǎr (ס ע ר) (sawar), becoming stormy. The conjunction kî is causal introducing the reason why the crew asked Jonah if there was any thing that they could do on behalf of him in the form of assisting him in finding or providing a suitable and acceptable sacrifice to Yahweh, which would bring an end to the storm. The noun yām means sea and refers to the Mediterranean Sea. The verb hā lǎḵ means to grow indicating that the storm was growing in intensity. The conjunction waw is used to connect this verb with the verb sā ʿǎr, which means to grow stormy referring to the Mediterranean Sea becoming violently rough in relation to the ship. The qal stem of both verbs is stative describing the state of the Mediterranean Sea when carrying Jonah on this merchant bound for Tarshish. The active voice of both of these verbs is stative expressing the state or condition of the weather on the Mediterranean. The participle form of both verbs function as attributive adjectives as indicated by the conjunction waw, which denotes that the action of the participles is simultaneous. We will translate this causal clause for the sea was growing increasingly stormy. Completed corrected translation of Jonah 1:11: Next, they asked him, what should we do on behalf of you in order that the sea may become calm on account of and on behalf of us? For the sea was growing increasingly stormy. Now that the crew knows that Jonah s disobedience to his god was the cause of the great tempest that was pounding the ship and that his god caused this disaster, they ask him for a solution. The pagan crew does not worship Yahweh like Jonah and they would have no clue as to what course of action they must take to appease 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8
his god. Since Jonah worships Yahweh, only he would know what to do in this situation. As Stuart quips, Jonah is both the guilty party and the expert here. Now some contend that the crew is asking if there is something that they could do to Jonah in the form of punishment. This is unlikely since verses 12-16 record the crew s great anxiety in fulfilling Jonah s request to throw him overboard thus indicating they had no desire to cause him any physical harm. Rather the crew is asking what they could do on behalf of Jonah in the form of assisting him in presenting a suitable or acceptable sacrifice to Yahweh in order to appease Him and bring an end to the storm. Jonah 1:12, He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. (NASU) Not translated is the conjunction wa ( (ו (wa), which is prefixed to the qal imperfect form of the verb ʾā mǎr, said to form a waw-sequential construction. It is a marker of result meaning that it is indicating the result of the crew asking Jonah what they should do on behalf of him. Therefore, we will translate the word consequently. Said is the third person masculine singular qal active imperfect form of the verb ʾā mǎr (אָמ ר) (aw-mar), which means to answer, i.e. respond to a question and is used here of Jonah responding to the crew s question as to what they could do on behalf of him in providing a suitable and acceptable sacrifice to Yahweh that would appease Him so as to cause Him to bring an end to the great storm. The qal stem of the verb ʾā mǎr is fientive expressing an action on the part of Jonah. The active voice indicates that Jonah as the subject performs the action of responding to the crew s question by answering it. The imperfect tense speaks of this action of Jonah as taking place in past time from the perspective of the writer. It is used with waw to form a result clause. We will translate the expression לוֹ,ו יּ אמ ר he answered. To them is composed of the preposition ʾěl (אַל) (al), to and the third person masculine plural pronomial suffix hē mā(h),( ה מ ה) them. The pronomial suffix hē mā(h), them refers of course to the crew of the ship and is the object of the preposition ěl, which is a marker of direction indicating that Jonah directed his answer to the crew. Corrected translation thus far of Jonah 1:12: Consequently, he answered them Jonah 1:12, He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. (NASU) Pick me up and throw me into the sea is composed of the second person masculine plural qal active imperative form of the verb nā śā(ʾ) (נ שׂ א) (naw-saw), 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9
pick up and the first person singular pronomial suffix ǎ nî,(א נ י) Me and the conjunction waw ( (ו (wa), and and the second person masculine plural hiphil active imperative form of the verb ṭûl (טוּל) (tool), throw and the first person singular pronomial suffix ǎ nî,(א נ י) me and the preposition ʾěl (אַל) (al), into and the articular masculine singular form of the noun yām (י ם) (yawm), the sea. The verb nā śā(ʾ) is used here in a literal sense meaning to lift up, pick up in the sense of lifting up an object, which in our context is Jonah. The first person singular pronomial suffix ǎ nî,(א נ י) me refers to Jonah of course. The qal stem of the verb is fientive expressing an action on the part of the crew that Jonah is commanding them to do. The active voice indicates that the crew as the subject is to perform the action of the verb. The imperative form of the verb is used for a direct command from Jonah to the crew. We will translate this expression Pick me up! The conjunction waw joins the first imperative nā śā(ʾ) with the imperative form of the verb ṭûl indicating that these two commands express a principle idea, namely of killing Jonah by drowning him. The verb ṭûl means to cast far away, i.e., make linear movement through the air with an object by force. (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament); James Swanson) This verb appears four times in the book of Jonah (1:4, 5, 12, 15). In Jonah 1:4, it is used of the Lord hurling a great wind on the Mediterranean ocean in effort by Him to turn Jonah around and have the runaway prophet go in the direction of Nineveh. In verse 5, it is used of the sailors of the ship Jonah hired to take him to Tarshish hurling the cargo of the vessel into the sea to lighten its load in the hopes of saving the ship. Now here in verse 12, the verb is used of the crew throwing Jonah into the Mediterranean Sea. The first person singular pronomial suffix ǎ nî,(א נ י) me refers once again to Jonah of course. The hiphil stem is used in a declarative sense of the crew throwing Jonah into the Mediterranean Sea. The active voice indicates that Jonah is commanding the crew as the subject to perform the action of the verb. The imperative form of the verb is used for a direct command from Jonah to the crew. We will translate the verb throw. The noun yām means sea and refers to the Mediterranean and is the object of the preposition ʾěl, which primarily denotes motion to or toward something or someone, whether physical or mental. The word is used with the verb ṭûl, which of course expresses motion and means into indicating that the sailors were hurling the Jonah into the sea. We will translate ו ה ט יל נ י א ל ה יּ ם,שׂ א וּנ י Pick me up and throw me into the sea. 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10
Jonah 1:12, He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. (NASU) Then is the conjunction waw ( (ו (wa), which is prefixed to the qal imperfect form of the verb šā ṯǎq, will become calm as a marker of result indicating that sea would become calm as a result of the crew obeying Jonah s commands to pick him up and throw him into the sea. Therefore, we will translate the word so that. The sea will become calm for you is the articular masculine singular form of the noun yām (י ם) (yawm), the sea and third person masculine singular qal active imperfect form of the verb šā ṯǎq (שׁ ת ק) (shaw-thak), will become calm and the and the preposition min (מ ן) (min), for and the preposition al (אַל) (al) and the second person masculine plural pronomial suffix ʾǎt těm (א תּ ם) (ay-thawm), you. The noun yām means sea and once again refers to the Mediterranean Sea. The verb šā ṯǎq once again means to be calm referring to the calm after a storm, a cessation of wind and waves. The qal stem and the active of the verb are stative indicating the sea in the state of being calm. The imperfect tense is used with the conjunction waw to denote result. The pronomial suffix ʾǎt těm refers of course to the crew. The preposition min is used in a causal sense indicating that the calming of the storm would be on account of the crew of the ship. The preposition al is a marker of persons benefited by an event indicating that the calming of the storm would be on behalf of the crew and the captain of the ship. Corrected translation thus far of Jonah 1:12: Consequently, he answered them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that the sea will become calm on account of and on behalf of you Jonah 1:12, He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. (NASU) For is the causal use of the conjunction kî (כּ י) (kee), which introduces a statement that presents the reason why Jonah is commanding the crew to pick him up and throw him into the sea in order that the sea will become calm on account of and on behalf of the crew and its captain. I know is composed of the first person singular form of the pronoun ʾānˊ ḵî (aw-no-kee), I and the masculine singular qal active participle form of the (אָנ כ י) verb yā rē(ʾ) (י ר א) (yaw-ray), know. The pronoun ʾǎnî is the shorter form of ʾānˊ ḵî occurring hundreds of times in the Old Testament. There is no functional difference between the two. In Jonah 1:12, the word involves psychological emphasis expressing Jonah s deep selfconsciousness of guilt that he alone was responsible for the great storm that was 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11
threatening the lives of everyone on the ship. Therefore, we can translate it I myself alone am. The verb yā rē(ʾ) means to recognize in the sense of sensory awareness of objects and circumstances in one s environment attained through involvement with them. The word indicates that Jonah recognized that the dire circumstances that the ship and its crew and Jonah found themselves in were due to his disobedience to the Lord s command to go to Nineveh and announce judgment against its inhabitants. The qal active stem is stative indicating that Jonah existed in the state of being aware that the ship was in deep trouble because of his disobedience to the Lord. The verb functions also as a substantive participle. We will translate this verb recognize. Corrected translation thus far of Jonah 1:12: Consequently, he answered them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that the sea will become calm on account of and on behalf of you because I myself recognize Jonah 1:12, He said to them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. (NASU) That is the conjunction kî (כּ י) (kee), which introduces a direct object clause that presents what Jonah was well aware of. On account of me is composed of the preposition b e ( (בּ (beth), which is followed by the relative particle šǎ- (שׁ ) (shel) and the preposition l e ( (ל (le) and the interrogative pronoun mî (mî) (מ י) (may) and the first person singular pronomial.(א נ י) suffix ǎ nî The preposition b e means on account of since it functions as a marker of cause or reason. The relative particle is also a marker of cause emphasizing that Jonah is the cause of the disaster that has hit the ship. The interrogative pronoun mî means who and also refers to Jonah whom the storm is against. It is the object of the preposition l e which is a marker of person or thing to whose disadvantage something happens. This indicates that the great storm was against Jonah. This expression ב שׁ לּ י means on my account, against me indicating that Jonah was not only the cause or reason for the calamity brought upon the entire crew and its passengers but also the one whom this storm was brought against. This great storm is composed of the articular masculine singular form of the noun sǎ ʿǎr (ס ע ר) (saw-ar), a storm and the articular masculine singular form of the adjective gadhol (גּ ד ול) (ga-dol), great and the articular feminine singular demonstrative pronoun zʾṯ (ז את) (zothe), this. The noun sǎ ʿǎr refers to a heavy gale, a storm, i.e. a meteorological phenomenon with a rapid focus on rapid movement of air blowing (or swirling) in 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12
the storm involving rain and maybe lightening with emphasis upon its destructive force. The adjective gadhol emphasizes the intensity of this storm. The Lord s control of wind and sea is a theme expressed often in the Old Testament (e.g., Exodus 10:13 19; 14 15; Numbers 11:31; Job 26:12; Psalm 89:9; 135:7; Isaiah 50:2; Jeremiah 49:32 36; Amos 4:13; Nahum 1:4; cf. Mark 4:37 39). The demonstrative pronoun zʾṯ is used as an attributive adjective since when used in this manner it takes the definite article and agrees in gender (masculine) and number (singular) with the noun it modifies, which in our case is sǎ ʿǎr, storm. Since the writer is employing the figure of ellipsis he deliberately omits the verb hayah, though it is implied. The verb means to take place indicating that the storm has taken place to the determinant of the crew. Upon you is composed of the preposition al (אַל) (al), upon and the first person plural pronomial suffix ʾǎt těm (א תּ ם) (ay-thawm), you. The pronomial suffix ʾǎt těm refers of course to the crew and its captain and is the object of the preposition al, which is a marker of opposition with the implication of hostility toward an object. It indicates that the great storm was against the crew and its captain because of Jonah s disobedience to the Lord. We will translate this prepositional phrase against you. Completed corrected translation of Jonah 1:12: Consequently, he answered them, Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that the sea will become calm on account of and on behalf of you because I myself recognize that on my account, against me this great storm has taken place against you. By no means should Jonah s willingness to die be considered as gallant or virtuous since he repeatedly prays that God would kill him after going to Nineveh (See Jonah 4:3). Rather, his willingness to die should be interpreted as a recognition of his guilt before God. It is also clear that his willingness to die here is an attempt by him to avoid going to Nineveh since he again wishes to die after the Ninevites repented in response to his message of judgment against it. He has no concern for the crew since he wants to die to avoid going to Nineveh. He is willing to die so that he can get out of going to Nineveh. He d rather drown than become a missionary to Nineveh. Jonah is in effect forcing God s hand, which is of course impossible to do. Again this is clearly indicated by Jonah 4:3 and also supported by the fact that he makes no attempt to pray for the end of the storm. The prophet s willingness to die implies that Jonah clearly understands and is fully aware that he is under discipline and that death is a just penalty that he deserves. However, Jonah forgets that God will treat him like the Ninevites and relent from killing him if he repents. 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13
The purpose for which the Lord brought a great storm against the ship carrying Jonah was to prompt the prophet to go and carry out his prophetic assignment. The Lord does not want Jonah to die or the crew. In fact, he uses the storm not only to get Jonah to obey him but also to save the crew and become worshipers of Himself. Jonah 1:4-12 reveals that the heathen crew has more regard for their own lives and the life of Jonah as is demonstrated in verses 13-14. However, the prophet of God, Jonah has no regard for his own life and the lives of those on board the ship with him. Jonah is a terrible witness and ambassador for the Lord. 1 Peter 2:11, Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 12 and maintain good conduct among the non-christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears. (NET Bible) Jonah has no compassion for the pagans as demonstrated by his conduct on the ship and his refusal to go to Nineveh. However, the heathen crew demonstrates compassion for Jonah. They demonstrate they possess a moral conscience and Jonah reveals he has none. The heathen crew has respect for Yahweh, the Lord but Jonah demonstrates no respect for Him. Interestingly, Jonah does not jump into the ocean on his own but solicits the crew s help. Bob Deffinbaugh answers this question, he writes, Why did Jonah not just jump into the sea? It seems as though the sailors had to act in obedience to God s directive through Jonah. Casting him into the sea would surely have meant death to Jonah. Just as the Israelites had to be the instruments of the death of a sinner against God (cf. Lev. 24:10-16). (The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah; page 5) 2010 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14