David guzik commentary on jonah 1, where jonah receives a call from god, but decides to run from him, which god prevents by sending a storm. 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. The book contains fascination interaction between men and god, which sasson brings out well. He examines jonahs inner process, telling us what jonah must have. We read, with a great deal of pleasure, in the close of the foregoing chapter, concerning the repentance of nineveh. Study jonah using john calvins bible commentary to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a. Simpson this book of jonah is the first sample and earnest done in a deeply sincere way in the old testament of gods purpose, in the fullness of time, to offer to the gentiles also, as well as to the jews, repentance unto life. This commentary has been through advanced theological checking. In his book, dr jione havea analyses the book of jonah through the lens of climate change, using this present situation to reconsider the significance of jonah for contemporary struggles and contexts, and tapping into traditional practices of commentary to draw out the meaning of the biblical text. Read and study jonah, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. The prophecy of jonah to jeroboam conveys some important background material to enhance our understanding of this book. Jonah 1 commentary john calvins commentaries on the bible. For those reasons and others i will never have a huge library. Jonah is the only narrative included in the books of the minor prophets. Zondervan exegetical commentary on the old testament. The book of jonah tells the story of a hebrew prophet named jonah ben amittai.
F2 but, of course, such criticisms are apparently founded in ignorance of the truth that, this is a common formulary linking together revelations and histories. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. The book of jonah is simultaneously pathetic and hilarious. The honour god put upon jonah, in giving him a commission to go and prophesy against nineveh. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a dvar torah. Best jonah commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. 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. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies. As the grace commentary on jonah is written, posts will be added to the chapters below. Designed for the pastor and bible teacher, the zondervan exegetical commentary on the old testament brings together commentary features rarely gathered. Study the bible online using commentary on jonah 1 and more.
Jesus actually identified himself with the prophets threeday sojourn in the belly of the great fish, noting it as a foreshadowing of his own death. 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. The narratives conclusion reveals an even deeper problem. Free bible commentaries in easy english easyenglish bible. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. But, as every bible student knows, his plans were soon thwarted.
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. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. His making use of us is an evidence of his being at. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth.
The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. God sent jonah to preach to nineveh, the capital city of israels prime enemy, assyria. It is particularly difficult to identify the central theme that unites all the elements of the story in the book of jonah into a literary and conceptual whole. Apr 12, 2016 the book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. Commentary on the book of jonah relevant bible teaching. Jonah 1 new international version niv jonah flees from the lord. Unfortunately, many christians thoughtlessly cast aspersions upon this important book in the canon of scripture without realizing that they are playing into the hands of the critics and innocently becoming the dupes of. The book of jonah is the most beautiful story ever written in so small a.
This book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. Jonah was the son of amittai, of gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in jos 19. Jonahs prophecy about israels boundaries being extended may indicate that he made that prophecy early in jeroboams reign. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. And one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart.
Jonah is perhaps one of the least understood books of the bible, with most people unable to get by the whale actually, dag gadol, or great fish. The disobedience of the prophet jonahs missionary call. The new american commentary is for the minister or bible student who wants to understand and expound the scriptures. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. Jonah free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Jonah is the book of the bible which perhaps has been criticized more than any other. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. Jonah 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by john calvin, helps you experience his lasting impact on christian theology and thought.
Best commentaries on each book of the bible tim challies. Verse 1 now the word of jehovah came unto jonah the son of amittai, saying, now enemies of this book do not hesitate to take the ax to the very first word in it, affirming that, jonah is a fragment, the continuation of a larger work. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Read jonah 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. So if you are interested in studying jonah, bookmark this page, and check back soon.
When i add a book i almost always remove a book, a practice that allows me to focus on quality over quantity. He quotes his father in his commentary to the book of jonah. On the horizon of the old testament, there has always blazed this. You can find the best commentary on jonah for you using the tools on the right side. The broad variety of opinions on this subject from the talmudic sages through modem commentaries can be subsumed under four basic headings. This instructive account, together with the inspired new testament commentary which discusses it. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. 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. The book of jonah is about divine mercy, divine justice, and gods freedom to offer each to whomever he chooseswhether israels oppressive enemy, a rebellious prophet, or gods elect people. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1. A free bible commentary on the book of jonah in simple english.
Understanding the book of the bible that plays a central role on the jewish calendars holiest day. This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same. Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. Aug 10, 2010 and one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. His making use of us is an evidence of his being at peace with us. The book of jonah is short, but its brevity does nothing to reduce the significance of the theological questions it raises. The bible knowledge commentary adds some thoughts here. You will also find options for commentaries on jonah that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Over the past couple of years i have focused on building a collection of commentaries that will include only the. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Jonah signifies a dove, a proper name for all gods prophets, all his people, who ought to be harmless as doves, and to mourn as doves for the sins and calamities of the land.
Jonah brazos theological commentary on the bible kindle. Best commentaries and books on jonah logos bible software. One could describe kimchis commentary as psychological. Jonah therefore is the only prophet of the ot revealing the grace of god towards the heathen. He goes to joppa and boards a ship bound for tarshish. God calls jonah to proclaim judgment to nineveh, but jonah resists and attempts to flee so he doesnt have to complete his holy mission.
Jonah was one of only four writing prophets that jesus mentioned by name during his earthly ministry isaiah, daniel, and zechariah were the others. It tells the story of god commanding the prophet jonah to preach in nineveh, but jonah. Jonah chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike. I am currently writing commentary on the book of jonah.
David kimchi was an important scholar of hebrew grammar and wrote michlol, an early comprehensive study of it. As the sections are completed, this is where they will get posted. He went down to joppa, where he found a ship bound for. 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. Jonah niv jonah flees from the lord the word of bible.