Commentary of book of jonah

In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. Passing over the brief prophecy of obadiah, with its veiled reference to the messiah in saviours who will go up on mount zion, under the leadership of the jehovahsaviour, for the kingdom shall be the lords obadiah 1. I am currently writing commentary on the book of jonah. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. Jonah 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The book of jonah is unique among the books of the prophets. 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. The disobedience of the prophet jonah s missionary call. But it displeased jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. Jonah 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Sleeping christians like to hide out among the church jonah slept in a place where he could not help with the work that needed to be done.

The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. During jonahs years as a prophet, israel stood tall. Hugh martins commentary on jonah is a devotional commentary that not only meditates deeply on jonah the prophet, but also on how jonah is a type, parallel, and sign pointing to christ. An easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary commentary on the book of jonah. In this commentary on the prophet jonah, the author will take the reader on a tour of the historical background, the main characters and their role, the main argument, the main purpose, and an in depth view of the book.

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. Minor prophets study guide questionslessons learned. Jonah was commanded by god to give warning to the city of nineveh capital of assyria so that people may repent. And one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. Jonah did not want to go on this mission and attempted to flee to tarshish in spain. 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.

The book of jonah, therefore, is a statement made through the wonderful medium of the story of jonah of gods compassion even of a pagan people like the ninevites who were enemies of the jews. The only prophetic message that jonah announced was the one about the coming judgment over nineveh jonah 1. 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. Jonah free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. His making use of us is an evidence of his being at peace with us. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonah s character is anything but dovelike. Jonah has been a favorite subject for midrashic commentary. 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 incidentals in the book of jonah are the fish, the gourd, the east wind, the boat, and even the city of nineveh.

The discovery of him, and his disobedience, to be the cause of the storm, jonah 1. Jonah s experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. Apart from the book traditionally ascribed to him, jonah is mentioned only. 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. Determining date and authorship of jonah remains problematic, as explicit references do not exist within the narrative. Aside from portions of the book of jeremiah and daniel, all of the other prophetic books focus primarily on the message of the prophet. 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. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. Jonah 2 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the.

Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. 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. This makes jonah one of the few prophets who hailed from the northern kingdom of israel. The pursuit and arrest of him for that disobedience by a storm, in which he was asleep v. 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. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Jonah slept in a place where he hoped no one would see him or disturb him. 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.

The whole commentary was very insightful with its picture of what god is saying in the book of jonah. As the sections are completed, this is where they will get posted. Commentary on the book of jonah by matthew henry old. Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. God sent jonah to preach to nineveh, the capital city of israels prime enemy, assyria. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. 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. The book of jonah is the most beautiful story ever written in so small a compass, only 28 english words. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah by keith mathison. The holiest day in the jewish calendar is yom kippur, the day of atonement, with its theme of repentance.

Jonah 1 commentary albert barnes notes on the whole bible. 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. Sleeping christians stay away from the work of the lord jonah slept while there was a prayer meeting up on the deck. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. The witness of jonah max reich the messianic hope of israel. Since jonah prophesied during the reign of jeroboam ii 782753 b. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike. Jonah was the son of amittai, of gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in jos 19.

The information presented covered context, dating, purpose, and interpretation of jonah. When he was in trouble, under the tokens of gods displeasure against him for sin. Rather, it is something like a theological short story. One could describe kimchis commentary as psychological. He quotes his father in his commentary to the book of jonah. In any case, from its style it is quite clear that the book of jonah was written centuries later. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart. 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. David kimchi was an important scholar of hebrew grammar and wrote michlol, an early comprehensive study of it.

The name is usually taken to mean dove, but in view of the complaining words of the prophet, it is not unlikely that the name is derived from the root yanah to mourn, with the signification dolens or complaining. The honour god put upon jonah, in giving him a commission to go and prophesy against nineveh. Their wickedness, as that of nineveh, is a bold and open affront to god. The prophecy of jonah to jeroboam conveys some important background material to enhance our understanding of this book. The pursuit and arrest of him for that disobedience by a storm, in which he was asleep, jonah 1. This commentary has been through advanced theological checking.

The book of jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan. Aside from portions of the book of jeremiah and daniel, all of the other. This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same. Some of the key truths to emerge from this book are that god calls his people to seek the repentance of the nations. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new. So if you are interested in studying jonah, bookmark this page, and check back soon. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a dvar torahon that text. The book contains fascination interaction between men and god, which sasson brings out well. The style of the book of jonah is distinctive among the prophetic books.

Aug 10, 2010 and one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book. The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. Although the content of the message is coming judgment 1. It tells the story of god commanding the prophet jonah to preach in nineveh, but jonah. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a dvar torah. The only reference to jonah in a historical context is found in 2 kings 14. God delights in showing mercy to repentant gentiles. 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. Conservative scholars place the writing of the book of jonah before 745. Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point, only to be swallowed by a great fish and dumped back at this starting point 2. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. Jonah chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament.

The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament allen, leslie c. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. Outside the book jonah is mentioned only in 2 kings 14. Best commentaries and books on jonah logos bible software. 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 2 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 is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1.

Jonah signifies a dove, a proper name for all gods prophets. Apocalypse explained ae 538 11 particulars in the book of jonah are historical, and yet prophetical, involving and representing such arcana, as do all the other historicals of the word. Ac 1188 2 but then we find a startling, thoughtprovoking passage in. Jonah is the only narrative included in the books of the minor prophets. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries.

Nov 11, 2012 but god is not finished with jonah, as 1. The casting of him into the sea, for the stilling of the storm, jonah 1. This was strange, because usually the preacher is pleased when the congregation repents, but jonah wasnt. As the grace commentary on jonah is written, posts will be added to the chapters below. Every chapter stepped through each verse of the book and provided a clear presentation of various view points throughout history as well as the authors own.

Obadiah, jonah, micah tyndale old testament commentary by t. Set in the reign of jeroboam ii 786746 bc, it was probably written in the postexilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century bc. There are a number of helpful commentaries on jonah, and the following are five of the best. Jonah said he feared the lord and was honest about his story jonah allowed himself to be cast into the sea jonah called out to god during the three days and three nights in the belly of the fish jonah 2. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a. You can find the best commentary on jonah for you using the tools on the right side. 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. Jonahs reluctance to bring that message mirrors the israelites equally stubborn disinterest in the relation of the assyrians to god. Gods ministry to jonah chapter 4 the bible exposition commentary, cook communications, colorado springs, 2002, p. But the book of jonah is not meant to be a historical account.

It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentary called a dvar torah. We are told, for example, that the great fish that swallowed jonah was specially created for this occasion when god created the world. However, the book of jonah is presented in a nonhistorical setting. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. All of nature obeys god in this book but a prophet of god does not. Consequently, scholars must consider linguistic and historical factors to approximate such information.

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. 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. Commentary on the book of jonah relevant bible teaching. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament. 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. The audience of the book of jonah was the people of israel and all future readers of the bible and, typically, prophets issued warnings or gave instructions to the people of israel. He examines jonahs inner process, telling us what jonah must have.