He goes to joppa and boards a ship bound for tarshish. Best commentaries and books on jonah logos bible software. Zondervan exegetical commentary on the old testament. 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. As the sections are completed, this is where they will get posted. Following the lead of the hebrew masoretic text, the title of the book is derived from the principal character, jonah. 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 is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1. Understanding the book of the bible that plays a central role on the jewish calendars holiest day. The book of jonah is the most beautiful story ever written in so small a compass, only 28 english.
Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14. 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 relevant bible teaching. The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. Jonah 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. 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 story of a fish swallowing a man and the man living sounds impossible, and since most liberal scholars deny the possibility of the supernatural, they reject the book of jonah as anything but a fairy tale.
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. Page seek to bring the message of these prophets alive and applicable to 21st century readers while also studying the context of the message to its first hearers. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah by keith mathison. The prophet jonah a dove is already mentioned in 2 kings 14. Jonah chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. 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. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. The prophecy of jonah to jeroboam conveys some important background material to enhance our understanding of this book. Blue letter bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on christ and the gospel of his peace and righteousness. 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. Jonah 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. The only times that the name occurs in the bible are in this reference in 2 kings, in the book of jonah itself, and in the new testament references to that book. The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused.
We have just added many new sources, including the expositors bible commentary, bengels gnomon, langes commentary, hastings great texts and many more. 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. 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. The book makes no direct claim regarding authorship. Jonah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The blue letter bible ministry and the blb institute hold to the historical, conservative christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of scripture.
Jonah free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The new american commentary is for the minister or bible student who wants to understand and expound the scriptures. The book of jonah is simultaneously pathetic and hilarious. Though the book does not identify its author, tradition has ascribed it to the prophet himself, jonah son of amittai, from gath hepher 2ki 14. Jonah therefore is the only prophet of the ot revealing the grace of god towards the heathen.
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. Since the text and audio content provided by blb represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not. Designed for the pastor and bible teacher, the zondervan exegetical commentary on the old testament brings together commentary features rarely gathered. 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.
Jonah was the son of amittai, of gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in jos 19. It is quite interesting in this regard to compare the case of jonah with another of the prophets, obadiah. Throughout the book, jonah is repeatedly referred to in the third person, causing some to search for. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Although the book is written in the third person, the traditional view is that jonah is the author of the book, and there is no persuasive reason to theorize about an unknown author. Introduction jonah is one of the most ridiculed books by liberal scholars. It spits him out when jonah repents, and god tells him to go to nineveh again.
The gloss on jonah relies almost exclusively on jeromes commentary on jonah c. In the book of jonah, two problems keep the prophet from fully enjoying and freely sharing divine mercy. In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. As the grace commentary on jonah is written, posts will be added to the chapters below. Best jonah commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. 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 name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike. Free bible commentaries in easy english easyenglish bible. This commentary has been through advanced theological checking.
Now he obeys and goes to nineveh, the capital of israels ancient enemy. It is the custom in some communities to ask a stranger to offer a commentarycalled a. There is only one jonah in the bible, and he is an historical person. The book depicts the larger scope of gods purpose for israel. A wild storm threatens jonah s runaway ship voyage. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Study jonah using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The book of jonah demonstrates the sovereignty of the almighty as he employs his creation to accomplish the divine plan. This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same. The dare context readings resources aims to provide biblical and theological resources on the nine themes of cwm. Study jonah using john calvins bible commentary to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. The ordinary gloss, or glossa ordinaria, was the most important christian commentary on the bible in the later middle ages. The first publication of cwm discernment and radical engagement dare context reading resources is now available. The narratives conclusion reveals an even deeper problem. 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. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. Minor prophets study guide questionslessons learned.
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. Book of jonah matthew henrys bible commentary concise. The bible knowledge commentary adds some thoughts here. I am currently writing commentary on the book of jonah. He was the son of amittai and was of gathhepher in galilee north of nazareth. In congruence with other volumes in the new american commentary series, this volume brings to light the theological significance. One can only place jonah in the category of fables if one. Jonahs prophecy about israels boundaries being extended may indicate that he made that prophecy early in jeroboams reign. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies. The second is jonahs inability to reconcile yhwhs justice with his mercy. 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 torah.
Read jonah 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. This is a volume on three of the minor prophet books of the old testament. Click the commentary tab or pulldown menu for a full selection of commentaries over any bible passage you are researching. In view of its many similarities with the narratives about elijah and elisha, however, it may come from the same prophetic circles that originally composed. As the grace commentary on jonah is written, posts will. 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. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. It concerns a disobedient prophet who rejected his divine commission, was cast overboard in a storm and swallowed by a great fish, rescued in a marvelous manner, and returned to his starting point. Study the bible online using commentary on jonah 1 and more. The book of jonah is unique among the books of the prophets. Pagan sailors search for gods help, and jonah is revealed as the cause of their turmoil. The book of jonah is short, but its brevity does nothing to reduce the significance of the theological questions it raises. Apr 12, 2016 the book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies.
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. A free bible commentary on the book of jonah in simple english. The honour god put upon jonah, in giving him a commission to go and prophesy against nineveh. 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. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus one. 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. The book of jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 b. Jonah brazos theological commentary on the bible kindle. Jonahs experiences form the main contents and purpose of the book.
The book contains fascination interaction between men and god, which sasson brings out well. The first is jonahs inability to reconcile yhwhs concern for nations hostile to israel with his election of israel. And one of the synagogue readings for yom kippur is the book of jonah in hebrew, sefer yonah. The book of jonah tells the story of a hebrew prophet named jonah ben amittai. 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.
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. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart. An easyenglish 2800 word vocabulary commentary on the book of jonah. You can find the best commentary on jonah for you using the tools on the right side. Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of jonah.