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2front:introhk4p0# Introduction to Jonah\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the Book of Jonah\n\n1. Jonah tries to run away from Yahweh. (1:1-2:10)\n* Jonah disobeys Yahweh’s first call to go to Nineveh. (1:1–3)\n* Jonah and the Gentile sailors. (1:4–16)\n* Yahweh provides a large fish to swallow Jonah, and he prays and is rescued. (1:17–2:10)\n2. Jonah in Nineveh (3:1-4:11)\n* Yahweh again calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, and Jonah proclaims Yahweh’s message. (3:1–4)\n* Nineveh repents. (3:5-9)\n* Yahweh decides not to destroy Nineveh. (3:10)\n* Jonah is very angry with Yahweh. (4:1–3)\n* Yahweh teaches Jonah about grace and mercy. (4:4–11)\n\n### What is the Book of Jonah about?\n\nJonah, son of Amittai, was a prophet from Gath Hepher (2 Kings 14:25). This book tells about what happened to Jonah. It tells how Yahweh shows mercy and grace to Gentiles. It also tells how the Ninevites repented and called out to Yahweh for mercy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])\n\nYahweh sent Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that he was ready to punish them. Yahweh said that if they would repent he would not harm them. However, Jonah was an Israelite and he did not want the Ninevites to repent. So Jonah tried to sail away in the opposite direction instead of doing what Yahweh told him to do. But Yahweh stopped him by sending a storm and a large fish to swallow him.\n\nJonah repented and warned the Ninevites. As a result, Yahweh taught him that he is concerned about all people, not just the Israelites.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThis book is traditionally titled “The Book of Jonah” or just “Jonah.” Translators may decide to use a clearer title such as “The Book about Jonah.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### Who wrote the Book of Jonah?\n\nJonah was probably involved in the writing of this book. However, scholars do not know who actually wrote it.\n\nJonah lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied sometime between 800 and 750 B.C., during the reign of King Jeroboam II.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### What was the nation of Assyria?\n\nDuring the time of Jonah, Assyria was the most powerful kingdom in the ancient Near East. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria.\n\nAssyria was cruel to its enemies. Eventually, Yahweh punished the Assyrians for the wicked things they did.\n\n### Did Assyria convert to Judaism?\n\nSome scholars think that the Assyrians started worshiping Yahweh alone. However, most scholars think they continued to worship other false gods. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])
31:introxvp20# Jonah 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe narrative of this chapter starts abruptly. This could cause difficulty for the translator. The translator should not attempt to smooth this introduction unless absolutely necessary.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Miracle\n\nIn verse [Jonah 1:17](../01/17.md), there is the mention of “a great fish.” It may be difficult to imagine a sea creature big enough to swallow a man whole; he then survives for three days and nights inside. Translators should not try to explain miraculous events in an attempt to make it easier to understand. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/miracle]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Situational irony\n\nThere is an ironic situation in this chapter. This means that people do or say things that are the opposite of what one would expect them to do. Jonah is a prophet of God and should endeavor to do God’s will. Instead, he runs away from God. Although the Gentile sailors are not Israelites, they act out of faith and fear of Yahweh when sending Jonah to an almost certain death by throwing him overboard. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/willofgod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])\n\n### Sea\n\nPeople in the ancient Near East also saw the sea as chaotic and did not trust it. Some of the gods they worshiped were gods of the sea. Jonah’s people, the Hebrews, feared the sea greatly. However, Jonah’s fear of Yahweh was not enough to keep him from sailing on a ship to get away from Yahweh. His actions are contrasted to the actions of the Gentiles. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/fear]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Implicit information\n\nEven though no one knows for sure where Tarshish was, the writer assumes that the reader knows that Jonah had to face away from Nineveh to go there. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
41:1jdr1rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה1This phrase introduces the first half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the second half of the story (3:1). This is a common way of beginning a historical story about a prophet. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
51:1ll6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה1This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke or communicated his message in some way. Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
61:1qa3zדְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה1Alternate translation: “the message of Yahweh”
71:1s6avיְהוָ֔ה1This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
81:1jv8crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesאֲמִתַּ֖י1This is the name of Jonah’s father. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
91:2x5uaק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖ה1Alternate translation: “go to the large and important city of Nineveh”
101:2v2xtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomק֠וּם1This is an idiom that means that Jonah should take action and go. It does not mean that he was sitting or lying down at the time that God spoke to him. Many languages would use only one verb, such as “go.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
111:2jqz9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyוּ⁠קְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑י⁠הָ1The word **it** here, meaning the city of Nineveh, is a metonym referring to the people living in and around the city. Alternate translation: “warn the people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
121:2rki2עָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠י1Alternate translation: “I know they have been continually sinning” or “I know that their sin has been getting worse and worse”
131:2jd9rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyלְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠י1This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. Yahweh is saying that he can has noticed how wicked the people of Nineveh have become. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
141:3f5srrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ1Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to God’s command, but his action was to disobey instead of to obey. See how you translated this idiom in [1:2](../01/02.md). Alternate translation: “but Jonah ran away” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
151:3n96trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה & מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה1This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
161:3g66vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitלִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ⁠ה1“to flee to Tarshish” This city named Tarshish was in the opposite direction to Nineveh. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and went in the opposite direction, toward Tarshish, away” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
171:3djv1וַ⁠יֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ1Alternate translation: “Jonah went to Joppa”
181:3w3ucאָנִיָּ֣ה1A **ship** is a very large type of boat that can travel on the sea and carry many passengers or heavy cargo.
191:3pz67וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜⁠הּ1Alternate translation: “there Jonah paid for the trip”
201:3g5xpוַ⁠יֵּ֤רֶד בָּ⁠הּ֙1Alternate translation: “got on the ship”
211:3i6biעִמָּ⁠הֶם֙1The word **them** refers to the others who were going on the ship.
221:3sw66rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה1This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
231:4jdr2rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַֽ⁠יהוָ֗ה הֵטִ֤יל רֽוּחַ־גְּדוֹלָה֙ אֶל־הַ⁠יָּ֔ם1This clause introduces the new event of Yahweh’s response to Jonah running away. Translate this so that your readers know that this event brings a change in the story. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
241:4jdrarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationוְ⁠הָ֣⁠אֳנִיָּ֔ה חִשְּׁבָ֖ה לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר1Here the term **thinking** describes the ship as if it were a person. This means that the storm was so severe that the ship was close to breaking apart. Alternate translation: “so that the ship was almost breaking apart” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
251:4jl77rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveלְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר1If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to break apart” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
261:5d13rהַ⁠מַּלָּחִ֗ים1Alternate translation: “the men who worked on the ship”
271:5u2bjאֱלֹהָי⁠ו֒1Here, **god** refers to false gods and idols that people worship.
281:5sh1bוַ⁠יָּטִ֨לוּ אֶת־הַ⁠כֵּלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּֽ⁠אֳנִיָּה֙1“the men threw the heavy things off the ship” By doing this, they hoped to keep the ship from sinking.
291:5tg27לְ⁠הָקֵ֖ל מֵֽ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם1This could mean: (1) to make the ship lighter so that it would float better, Alternate translation: “to help the ship float better” or (2) to lighten or relieve a dangerous situation, Alternate translation: “to lessen the danger they were in”
301:5uzt4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundוְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה יָרַד֙ אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַ⁠סְּפִינָ֔ה1This is background information. Translate this in a way that it is clear that Jonah had already done this before the storm started. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
311:5f63rיַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַ⁠סְּפִינָ֔ה1Alternate translation: “inside the ship”
321:5g4y4וַ⁠יִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַ⁠יֵּרָדַֽם1“and was lying there fast asleep” or “and was lying there and sleeping deeply” For this reason, the storm did not wake him up.
331:6laa3וַ⁠יִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָי⁠ו֙ רַ֣ב הַ⁠חֹבֵ֔ל וַ⁠יֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖⁠וֹ1Alternate translation: “the man in charge of the men working on the ship went to Jonah and said”
341:6yx7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionמַה־לְּ⁠ךָ֣ נִרְדָּ֑ם1**Why are you sleeping?** Here the captain uses a rhetorical question to scold Jonah. Alternate translation: “stop sleeping” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
351:6bd4frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomק֚וּם1This is a command to begin some activity that is named following this word. See how you translated this idiom in [1:2](../01/02.md) and [1:3](../01/03.md). In this verse, the Captain is telling Jonah to pray to his god. Because Jonah was lying down, the captain may also be telling Jonah literally to stand up. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
361:6k7a5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomקְרָ֣א אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֔י⁠ךָ1“pray to your god” To **cry out to** someone means to loudly ask him for help. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
371:6sk7irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitאוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖⁠נוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד1The implicit information that Jonah’s god might save them could be made explicit. Alternate translation: “maybe your god will hear and save us so that we will not die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
381:6zi04rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesוְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד1This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “and he will save us” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
391:7sc57rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗⁠הוּ1The phrase **each man … to his friend** is an idiom expressing reciprocal action. This means that all the men in the group were saying this to each other. Alternate translation: “the sailors all said to each other” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
401:7l5xqלְכוּ֙ וְ⁠נַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת וְ⁠נֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּ⁠שֶׁ⁠לְּ⁠מִ֛י הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ1“we should cast lots to know who has caused this trouble” The men believed that the gods would control how the lots fell in order to tell them what they wanted to know. This was a form of divination.
411:7d726הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את1This refers to the terrible storm.
421:7at67rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יִּפֹּ֥ל הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־יוֹנָֽה1The expression **the lot fell on Jonah** is an idiom meaning that, when the men cast lots, the result indicated Jonah. This does not mean that the lot literally fell down on top of Jonah. Alternate translation: “the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
431:8wkh6וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔י⁠ו1Alternate translation: “then the men who were working on the ship said to Jonah”
441:8e7wbהַגִּידָ⁠ה־נָּ֣א לָ֔⁠נוּ בַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֛ר לְ⁠מִי־הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ1Alternate translation: “who caused this bad thing that is happening to us”
451:9wav5יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א1Here the word **fear** means that Jonah worshiped Yahweh and not any other god.
461:10zi05וַ⁠יִּֽירְא֤וּ הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁים֙ יִרְאָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה1Alternate translation: “then the men were very afraid”
471:10peg3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionמַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ1The men on the ship use a rhetorical question to show how afraid and angry they were at Jonah for causing so much trouble for all of them. Alternate translation: “you have done a terrible thing” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
481:10us1rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙1This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahweh’s presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” or “from Yahweh” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
491:10jdrbrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-backgroundכִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָ⁠הֶֽם1Before the sailors cast lots, Jonah had already told them that he was running away from Yahweh, the God he worshiped. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
501:10hw1prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitכִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָ⁠הֶֽם1What he told them can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “because he had said to them, ‘I am trying to get away from Yahweh’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
511:11kb4cוַ⁠יֹּאמְר֤וּ אֵלָי⁠ו֙1Alternate translation: “Then the men on the ship said to Jonah” or “Then the sailors said to Jonah”
521:11ik6dמַה־נַּ֣עֲשֶׂה לָּ֔⁠ךְ וְ⁠יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מֵֽ⁠עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ1Alternate translation: “What should we do with you in order to make the sea become calm?”
531:11wxr7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomהַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר1This is an idiom that means that the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. Alternate translation: “the strength of the storm was increasing” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
541:11dji8rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultהַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר1This was the reason that the men asked Jonah what they should do. If it is more clear in your language to put the reason first, this can be stated at the beginning of verse 11, connecting to the result with a word like “so” or “therefore.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
551:12h982כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְ⁠שֶׁ⁠לִּ֔⁠י הַ⁠סַּ֧עַר הַ⁠גָּד֛וֹל הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם1Alternate translation: “because I know that this huge storm is my fault”
561:13lcd3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְ⁠הָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־הַ⁠יַּבָּשָׁ֖ה1The men did not want to throw Jonah into the sea, so they did not do as Jonah suggested. This information can be made explicit. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
571:13m3iqהַ⁠יָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵ֖ר1“the storm became worse, and the waves became bigger” See how you translated this idiom in [verse 11](../01/11.md).
581:14ap77וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ1Alternate translation: “because of that they called out” or “because the sea became more violent they called loudly”
591:14q2xqוַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה1Alternate translation: “therefore the men prayed loudly to Yahweh”
601:14jdr3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamationsאָנָּ֤ה1In this context, the word **Ah!** shows intense desperation. Represent this emotion in the most natural way for your language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]])
611:14wz6zאָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אַל־נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּ⁠נֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה1Alternate translation: “O Yahweh, please do not kill us because we caused this man to die” or “O Yahweh, even though we are going to cause this man to die, please do not kill us”
621:14vv5trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוְ⁠אַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא1This is an idiom that means “do not consider us guilty of killing an innocent person.” Alternate translation: “and please do not blame us for his death” or “and do not hold us accountable for having killed someone who did not deserve to die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
631:14ab73אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָפַ֖צְתָּ עָשִֽׂיתָ1Alternate translation: “you, Yahweh, have chosen to do things in this way” or “you, Yahweh, have caused all this to happen”
641:15l9cfוַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ1Alternate translation: “the sea stopped moving violently”
651:15ab89וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ1This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “the sea became calm”
661:16r3gsוַ⁠יִּֽירְא֧וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֛ים יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה1Alternate translation: “then the men became greatly awed at Yahweh’s power” or “then the men worshiped Yahweh with great awe”
671:17q87yGeneral Information:0# General Information:\n\nSome versions number this verse as the first verse of chapter 2. You may want to number the verses according to the main version that your language group uses.
681:17jdr4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַ⁠יְמַ֤ן יְהוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִ⁠בְלֹ֖עַ אֶת־יוֹנָ֑ה1This clause introduces the next part of the story, where Yahweh saves Jonah from the sea, and Jonah prays. In this context, the word **Now** is used in English to introduce a new part of the story. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
691:17cjb6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּ⁠שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת1Perhaps this expression is an idiom in Hebrew meaning “a couple of days” or “a few days” or something similar, but this is uncertain. Alternate translation: “three days and nights” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
702:introae4k0# Jonah 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter begins with a prayer by Jonah, and many translators have chosen to set it apart by setting its lines farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. Translators can follow this practice, but they are not obligated to.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Sea\n\nThis chapter contains many terms from the sea.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Poetry\n\nPrayers in Scripture often contain a poetic form. Poetry frequently uses metaphors to communicate something with a special meaning. For example, since Jonah was in a fish in the sea, being so trapped is compared to a prison. Jonah is overwhelmed by the depth of the sea and expresses this by speaking about being at the “base of the mountains” and in the “belly of Sheol.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Repentance\n\nScholars are divided over whether Jonah’s repentance was genuine or whether he was trying to save his life. In light of his attitude in chapter 4, it is uncertain whether he was genuinely repentant. If possible, it is best for translators to avoid taking a definitive stance on whether Jonah’s repentance was genuine. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]])
712:1alr2יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָ֑י⁠ו1This means “Yahweh, the God he worshiped.” The word **his** does not mean that Jonah owned God.
722:2al5bוַ⁠יֹּ֗אמֶר1Alternate translation: “Jonah said”
732:2jdrcrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryקָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי1This line begins a poem describing Jonah’s experience and prayer in the belly of the fish. The poem does not give the exact words that Jonah prayed at the time because the poem was written later, describing Jonah’s experience in the fish, his prayer, and God’s answer as if they had already happened in the past. This first line of the poem can be understood in one of two ways: either as being addressed to Yahweh as part of the description of the prayer, or as being addressed to another person as an introduction to the description of the prayer. See also the Note concerning the phrase “Salvation belongs to Yahweh!” in [2:9](../02/09/jdrh). (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry]])
742:2s7fiקָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה1Alternate translation: “I prayed to Yahweh during my great trouble” or “Yahweh, I cried out to you during my distress”
752:2wdr4וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי1Alternate translation: “Yahweh responded to me or he helped me or you answered me”
762:2w8wnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠בֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל1“from the center of Sheol” or “from the deep part of Sheol” Possible meanings include: (1) Jonah was speaking of being in the belly of the fish as being in Sheol; or (2) Jonah believed that he was about to die and go to Sheol; or (3) He was speaking as if he already had died and gone to Sheol. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
772:2ab77rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesשְׁא֛וֹל1**Sheol** was the name of the place where people went after they died. It was thought to be a shadowy world located somewhere under the ground. The New Testament equivalent seems to be “Hades,” where the dead wait for judgment (see Rev. 20:13). If your language has a word for this place, you may want to use it here, or borrow the word “Sheol.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
782:2jdrdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomשָׁמַ֥עְתָּ קוֹלִֽ⁠י1This phrase probably has both a literal and a figurative meaning. The phrase probably means literally that Yahweh heard Jonah’s voice while he was praying inside the belly of the fish. However, the phrase “to hear someone’s voice” in the Old Testament often means “to listen and obey (comply).” In this context, Jonah is expressing that Yahweh both heard him and acted to save him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
792:3glp2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorבִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים1Here the term **heart** is a metaphor for “being inside” something. The phrase “in the heart of” means to be “in the middle of” or “completely surrounded by” sea water. Alternate translation: “in the middle of the sea” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
802:3p8fdוְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי1Alternate translation: “the sea water closed in around me”
812:3c6jxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletמִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ1Both of these are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. They could be combined into one term, such as “waves” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
822:4jdr5rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrastוַ⁠אֲנִ֣י1This expression shows that there is a contrast between the actions of Yahweh, which Jonah had just talked about, and his own response. Alternate translation: “then I” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
832:4x1w9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveנִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי1If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you drove me out” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
842:4z1yxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyמִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ1Here, **eyes** is a metonym meaning seeing, and seeing is a metonym for the knowledge, notice, and attention of God. Alternate translation: “from before you” or “from your presence” or “where you do not notice me” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
852:4b8vkאַ֚ךְ אוֹסִ֣יף לְ⁠הַבִּ֔יט אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ1Jonah still has hope that, in spite of all that he is going through, God will allow him to see the temple in Jerusalem again.
862:5abc2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismאֲפָפ֤וּ⁠נִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי1Jonah uses two similar phrases to express the severity and hopelessness of his situation. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
872:5rf4bמַ֨יִם֙1Here, **water** refers to the sea.
882:5ca31עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ1Here the Hebrew term **life** can possibly mean “my life” or “my neck” or “my spirit.” In any case, the water was threatening to end his life. Alternate translation: “up to my neck” or “as far as my spirit”
892:5nr3vתְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי1Alternate translation: “deep water was all around me”
902:5p1fwס֖וּף1**Seaweed** is grass that grows in the sea.
912:6z36irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorהָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥י⁠הָ בַעֲדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם1Here Jonah uses a metaphor to compare the earth to a prison. Alternate translation: “the earth was like a prison that was about to lock me in forever” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
922:6dc3rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorוַ⁠תַּ֧עַל מִ⁠שַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖⁠י1Here the term **pit** has two This could mean: (1) this could be a way to describe being in a very deep place underground or underwater or (2) this could be a metaphor meaning the place of the dead (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]). In either case, the term probably refers to the fact that Jonah felt certain that he would die. Alternate translation: “but you saved me from dying in a deep place” or “but you saved my life from the place of the dead”
932:6i3mxיְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽ⁠י1In some languages, it may be more natural to put this at the beginning of the sentence or next to the word “you.”
942:7jdr6rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneousבְּ⁠הִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַ⁠י֙ נַפְשִׁ֔⁠י1This phrase could mean either: (1) Jonah was already in the process of dying when he remembered Yahweh; or (2) Jonah had given up hope of being rescued and resigned himself to the fact that he would die. Alternate translation: “when my life was fainting away from me” or “when my spirit inside me had fainted” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
952:7l2b6אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה זָכָ֑רְתִּי1Since Jonah was praying to Yahweh, it might be more clear in some languages to say “I thought about you, Yahweh” or “Yahweh, I thought about you.”
962:7ue9grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorוַ⁠תָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ תְּפִלָּתִ֔⁠י אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ1Jonah speaks as if his prayers could travel to God and his temple. This means that God heard his prayer and responded to it. Alternate translation: “then you in your holy temple heard my prayer” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
972:7jdrfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyהֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ1Here the term **holy temple** may have either a literal or a figurative meaning, or perhaps both. Jonah might be speaking about the literal temple in Jerusalem, or he might be speaking about God’s dwelling place in heaven. See the UST. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
982:7jdreנַפְשִׁ֔⁠י1Here the Hebrew term **my spirit** could also mean **my life**.
992:8u1l9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomמְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא1Here the term **empty vanities** is probably an idiom referring to idols of false gods. Alternate translation: “those who give attention to useless idols” or “those who pay attention to useless gods” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1002:8fac9חַסְדָּ֖⁠ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ1Here, **covenant faithfulness** could mean: (1) the faithfulness of God or (2) the faithfulness of the people. Therefore, it could mean (1) “are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them” or (2) “are abandoning their commitment to you”
1012:9q3ybrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrastוַ⁠אֲנִ֗י1This expression shows that there is a contrast between the people Jonah had just spoken about and himself. They paid attention to useless gods, but he would worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “but I” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
1022:9nfd2בְּ⁠ק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּ֔⁠ךְ1This phrase probably means that Jonah would thank God while he offered a sacrifice to him. It is not clear whether Jonah planned to thank God by singing or shouting joyfully.
1032:9jdrhיְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה1This last line of the poem can be understood in one of two ways: either (1) as being addressed to Yahweh as part of the description of the prayer; or (2) as being addressed to another person as a conclusion to the description of the prayer. See also the Note concerning the phrase “I cried out to Yahweh from my distress … ” in [2:2](../02/02/jdrc).
1042:9r4j4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsיְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה1If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **salvation**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “save.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh is the one who saves people” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
1052:10dz3jאֶל־הַ⁠יַּבָּשָֽׁה1Alternate translation: “upon the ground” or “onto the shore”
1063:introz3ut0# Jonah 3 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter returns to a narrative of Jonah’s life.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Animals\n\nAccording to the king’s proclamation, the animals had to participate in the fast he ordered. This most likely reflects their pagan mindset. There was nothing in the law of Moses that instructed the people to have the animals participate in any religious acts. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Size of Nineveh\n\nWhen the author talks about the size of Nineveh, the measurements he gives are confusing. The phrase “three days’ journey” is ambiguous in Hebrew, as many scholars have remarked. In Jonah’s day, cities were not as big as they are today. So, although Nineveh was a big city, it was not as big as most modern cities.\n\n### God repenting or relenting\n\nThe last verse of this chapter says, “So then God changed his mind about the punishment that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” This concept of God changing His mind may seem inconsistent with the fact that God’s character and his plans do not change. But this whole book is written from a human viewpoint, and so it presents the actions of God as Jonah saw them. God had told Jonah to warn the Ninevites of judgment for their sin.\n\nYahweh is just, but he is also merciful. Because the Ninevites repented, God did not follow through with a judgment in this instance, and Jonah described that in a human way as “changing his mind.” The reader understands that this was God’s plan from the beginning. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])
1073:1jdr7rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַ⁠יְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה1This phrase introduces the second half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the first half of the story [1:1](../01/01.md). (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
1083:1xj6nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה1This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke in some way. See how you translated this in [1:1](../01/01.md). Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his message” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1093:2ve4iק֛וּם לֵ֥ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֖ה הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה1Alternate translation: “Go to the large and important city of Nineveh”
1103:2cl3brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomק֛וּם1**Get up** here is an idiom intended to motivate Jonah to obey the next command, which is “go.” See how you translated this in [1:2](../01/02.md) and [1:3](../01/03.md). (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1113:2ir79וִּ⁠קְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ אֶת־הַ⁠קְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽי⁠ךָ1Alternate translation: “tell the people there what I tell you to tell them”
1123:3k7k9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וַ⁠יֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֶ֖ה כִּ⁠דְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה1Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to God’s command to go, and this time he obeyed instead of disobeying. Alternate translation: “his time Jonah obeyed Yahweh and went to Nineveh” or “so Jonah left the beach and went to Nineveh, as Yahweh had commanded him” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1133:3g4nkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyכִּ⁠דְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה1Alternate translation: “the message of Yahweh” or “the command of Yahweh” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1143:3dt1brc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundוְ⁠נִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים1This sentence gives background information about the city of Nineveh. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
1153:3jd8rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomעִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים1This is an idiom meaning that the city is both extremely large and one of the largest cities in the world. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1163:3ye82rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomמַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים1This appears to mean that a person had to walk for three days to completely go through it from one side of the city to the opposite side. It could also mean that it took three days to see the whole city. Alternate translation: “a city so large that it would take a person three days to walk through it” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1173:4r2alוַ⁠יָּ֤חֶל יוֹנָה֙ לָ⁠ב֣וֹא בָ⁠עִ֔יר מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙1This phrase has two This could mean: (1) Jonah walked a day’s journey into the city, then he started calling out; or (2) while Jonah was walking through the city on the first day, he started calling out.
1183:4r94kוַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֔ר1Alternate translation: “and he proclaimed” or “and he shouted”
1193:4ab78ע֚וֹד אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם1Alternate translation: “after 40 days” or “in 40 days” or “there remain 40 days, and”
1203:4q2ncrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersאַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם1**forty days** (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
1213:5ab90rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionוַ⁠יִּקְרְאוּ־צוֹם֙1People fasted to show sadness or devotion to God or both. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
1223:5e5lmrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים1The reason why people **put on sackcloth** can be stated more clearly. Alternate translation: “they also put on coarse cloth to show that they were sorry for having sinned” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1233:5isk5מִ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖⁠ם וְ⁠עַד־קְטַנָּֽ⁠ם1Alternate translation: “from the most significant to the least significant people” or “including all of the important people and all of the unimportant people”
1243:6pna3הַ⁠דָּבָר֙1Alternate translation: “Jonah’s message”
1253:6h9wzrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionוַ⁠יָּ֨קָם֙ מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ1“he got up from his throne” or “he stood up from his throne” The king left his throne to show that he was acting humbly. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
1263:6pvp7מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ1A **throne** is a special chair that a king sits on when performing his official duties as king. It is reserved for only the king.
1273:6ab91rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionוַ⁠יֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל־הָ⁠אֵֽפֶר1**Sitting in ashes** was a way to show great humility and sorrow. In this case, it was to show how sorry he was for his sin. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
1283:7v29bוַ⁠יַּזְעֵ֗ק וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ & לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר1Alternate translation: “he sent out an official announcement that said” or “he sent his messengers to announce”
1293:7zi06מִ⁠טַּ֧עַם הַ⁠מֶּ֛לֶךְ וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו1Alternate translation: “a command with the full authority of the king and his officials”
1303:7n5fnוּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו1The term **nobles** refers to important men who helped the king rule the city.
1313:7xw6cהַ⁠בָּקָ֣ר וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּ֗אן1This refers to two kinds of animals that people care for. A **herd** is made up of large livestock (such as oxen or cattle) and a **flock** is made up of small livestock (such as sheep or goats). Alternate translation: “cattle or sheep”
1323:7fw18rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitאַ֨ל־יִרְע֔וּ וּ⁠מַ֖יִם אַל־יִשְׁתּֽוּ1“they must not eat or drink anything” The reason they were not to eat or drink anything can be made explicit by adding “in order to show that they are sorry for their sins.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1333:8mzx6וְ⁠הַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֔ה1Here the word **animal** refers to animals that people own.
1343:8jh7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠יִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠חָזְקָ֑ה1“and they must pray earnestly to God” What the people were to pray for can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and they must cry out loudly to God and ask for mercy” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1353:8n3lsrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitהֶ⁠חָמָ֖ס אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּ⁠כַפֵּי⁠הֶֽם1Here, **hands** is a metonym meaning doing. This refers to the violence that the people of Nineveh were doing. Alternate translation: “the violent things that he has done” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1363:9wbt6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionמִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ1The king used this rhetorical question to get the people to think about something that is possible, but uncertain: that if they would stop sinning, God might not kill them. It could be translated as a statement: “We do not know.” Or it could be stated as a word and be part of the next sentence: “Perhaps.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
1373:9z3jjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorיָשׁ֔וּב וְ⁠נִחַ֖ם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים1Here the author speaks of God changing his mind about bringing judgment as if God were turning around and walking in the opposite direction. Alternate translation: “God may decide instead to have compassion” or “God may do the opposite of what he said and be merciful” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1383:9jdrgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomמֵ⁠חֲר֥וֹן אַפּ֖⁠וֹ1Here **the burning of his nose** is an idiom meaning that the person is angry. Alternate translation: “from his anger” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1393:9uvp9וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד1Alternate translation: “and we will not die”
1403:10w3uuוַ⁠יַּ֤רְא הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂי⁠הֶ֔ם כִּי־שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה1Alternate translation: “God saw that they stopped doing evil actions”
1413:10k8amrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorשָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה1Here the author speaks of the people stopping their sinning as if they turned around from walking on a path toward evil and started walking in the opposite direction. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1423:10ab85וַ⁠יִּנָּ֣חֶם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֗ים עַל־הָ⁠רָעָ֛ה1The word translated as “evil” here is very broad, including moral evil, physical evil, and everything that is bad. It is the same word used in the previous sentence (and verse 8) to describe the actions of the Ninevites. The author is showing that when people repent of moral evil, God relents of doing physical evil (punishment). God never does moral evil. If this is clear in your language, you may want to use the same word in both sentences. If that is not clear, you may want to use different words.
1433:10it1arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠לֹ֥א עָשָֽׂה1What God did not do can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and he did not punish them” or “and he did not destroy them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1444:introys570# Jonah 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nJonah continues the narrative while bringing the book to what seems like an unusual end. This emphasizes that the book is not really about Jonah. It is about God’s desire to be merciful to everyone, whether Jew or pagan. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Prophecy not coming true\n\nIt is important to see the relationship between a prophet and Yahweh. A prophet was to prophesy for Yahweh, and his words must come true. According to the law of Moses, if that did not happen, the penalty was death, because that shows that he was not a real prophet. But when Jonah told the city of Nineveh that it was going to be destroyed in forty days, it did not happen at that time. This is because God reserves the right to be merciful. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n## Jonah’s anger\n\nWhen God did not destroy Nineveh, Jonah was angry with God because Jonah hated the people of Nineveh. They were enemies of Israel. But God wanted Jonah, and the readers of this book, to learn that God loves all people.\n\n### Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nAs in other places, Jonah asks rhetorical questions to show how angry he was at Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\n### Parallel to Mount Sinai\n\nIn verse 2, Jonah attributes a series of characteristics to God. A Jewish reader of this book would recognize this as a formula Moses used in speaking about God when he was meeting God on Mount Sinai. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### God’s grace\n\nWhen Jonah went outside the city, he got very hot and God graciously provided some relief through the plant. God was trying to teach Jonah through an object lesson. It is important for the reader to see this clearly. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]])
1454:1jdr8rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה רָעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַ⁠יִּ֖חַר לֽ⁠וֹ׃1This sentence introduces the next part of the story where Jonah responds to God saving the city of Nineveh. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
1464:1abc3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יִּ֖חַר לֽ⁠וֹ1This is an idiom that speaks of Jonah’s anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. Alternate translation: “and he was very angry” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1474:2q6bbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamationsאָנָּ֤ה1In this context, the word **Ah!** shows intense frustration. Represent this emotion in the most natural way for your language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]])
1484:2k24brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionיְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י1Jonah used this rhetorical question to tell God how angry he was. If it is more clear, this can be made into a statement. Alternate translation: “ah, Yahweh, this is what I said when I was still in my own country” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
1494:2ab79rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitיְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י1What Jonah said when he was back in his own country can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “now Yahweh, when I was still in my own country I knew that if I warned the people of Nineveh, they would repent, and you would not destroy them” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1504:2ab81rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomאֶ֤רֶךְ אַפַּ֨יִם֙1This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh does not get angry quickly. Alternate translation: “slow to get angry” or “very patient” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1514:2jv5cוְ⁠רַב־חֶ֔סֶד1Alternate translation: “and very faithful” or “and you love people very much”
1524:2wl7jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠נִחָ֖ם עַל־הָ⁠רָעָֽה1Here, **evil** refers to the physical destruction of the city of Nineveh and its people. It does not refer to moral evil. In this context, this phrase means that God feels sadness about causing bad things to happen to people who sin and he changes his mind when sinners repent of their sin. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and you feel sadness about causing disaster for sinners” or “and you decide not to punish sinners who repent” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1534:3dm5trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitקַח־נָ֥א אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖⁠י מִמֶּ֑⁠נִּי1Jonah’s reason for wanting to die can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “since you will not destroy Nineveh as you said you would, please allow me to die” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1544:3yk5vכִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י1Alternate translation: “I would prefer to die rather than to live” or “because I want to die. I do not want to live”
1554:4ab82rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ1This is an idiom that speaks of Jonah’s anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. See how you translated it in [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “is it right for you to be angry about this” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1564:4ab83rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ1The reason for Jonah’s anger can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “is it right for you to be angry that I did not destroy Nineveh” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1574:5q1f7וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֤א יוֹנָה֙ מִן־הָ⁠עִ֔יר1Alternate translation: “then Jonah left the city of Nineveh”
1584:5af46מַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּ⁠עִֽיר1Jonah wanted to see if God would destroy the city or not. Alternate translation: “what would become of the city” or “what God would do to the city”
1594:6i4r4מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה לִֽ⁠הְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ1Alternate translation: “over Jonah’s head for shade”
1604:6t21kלְ⁠הַצִּ֥יל ל֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠רָֽעָת֑⁠וֹ1Here the term **evil** could mean two things (or both at the same time): (1) “discomfort” or “distress,” meaning the intense heat of the sun shining on Jonah’s head; or (2) “wrong,” meaning Jonah’s wrong attitude concerning God’s decision not to destroy Nineveh. If both meanings can be preserved, that is preferable. If not, you could choose an Alternate translation: “to protect Jonah from the heat of the sun” or “to save Jonah from his wrong attitude”
1614:7t7ilוַ⁠יְמַ֤ן הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת1Alternate translation: “then God sent a worm”
1624:7rw7zוַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֖וֹן1Alternate translation: “and the worm chewed the plant”
1634:7d16mוַ⁠יִּיבָֽשׁ1The plant became dry and died. Alternate translation: “so that the plant died”
1644:8jdr9rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-backgroundוַ⁠יְהִ֣י׀ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ1The **rising of the sun** is background information that gives the time when the hot wind from the east started blowing. Express this relationship in a natural way in your language. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]])
1654:8hmi4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית1God caused a hot wind from the east to blow on Jonah. If “wind” in your language can only mean a cool or cold wind, then you can try this alternate translation: “God sent a very hot warmth from the east to Jonah.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1664:8mnu9וַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ1Alternate translation: “the sun was very hot”
1674:8u2plrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheעַל־רֹ֥אשׁ יוֹנָ֖ה1This phrase may have a literal meaning or a figurative meaning. Perhaps Jonah felt the heat most on his head, or perhaps the phrase **the head of Jonah** is a synecdoche meaning Jonah’s entire body. Alternate translation: “on Jonah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
1684:8z95vוַ⁠יִּתְעַלָּ֑ף1Alternate translation: “and he became very weak” or “and he lost his strength”
1694:8ab87וַ⁠יִּשְׁאַ֤ל אֶת־נַפְשׁ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠מ֔וּת1Jonah is talking to himself. Alternate translation: “he wished he would die” or “he wanted to die”
1704:8eln6ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י1“I would rather die than live” or “I want to die; I do not want to live” See how you translated this in [4:3](../04/03/yk5v).
1714:9w24zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְ⁠ךָ֖ עַל־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן1In this context, God’s question is intended to lead Jonah to draw a conclusion about his selfish attitude. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “is it right that you should be so angry about the plant that only gave shade to you” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1724:9h43aהֵיטֵ֥ב חָֽרָה־לִ֖⁠י עַד־מָֽוֶת1Alternate translation: “I am right to be angry. I am angry enough to die”
1734:10gkz7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה1Here Yahweh is speaking to Jonah. This implicit information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Yahweh said to Jonah” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
1744:10ab88rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomשֶׁ⁠בִּן־לַ֥יְלָה הָיָ֖ה וּ⁠בִן־לַ֥יְלָה אָבָֽד1This idiom means that the plant existed only briefly. Alternate translation: “it grew in one night and died the next” or “it grew quickly and died just as quickly” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1754:11jdr0rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrasesוַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙1This expression, paired with **As for you** in verse 10, shows a comparison between Jonah’s attitude toward the plant and Yahweh’s attitude toward the people of Nineveh. Express this comparison in a natural way in your language.(See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
1764:11ecl1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionוַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִינְוֵ֖ה הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ וּ⁠בְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה1God used this rhetorical question to emphasize his claim that he should have compassion on Nineveh. Alternate translation: “I certainly should have compassion for Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand, and also many cattle” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
1774:11dqi1אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩1This can also be translated as the beginning of a new sentence. Alternate translation: “There are more than” or “it has more than”
1784:11c3b7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersמִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם1**one hundred twenty thousand people** (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
1794:11j35hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomאֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ1This idiom means “who do not know the difference between right and wrong.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])