Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. New Living Translation But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish. English Standard Version But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. Berean Standard Bible Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. King James Bible But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. New King James Version But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. New American Standard Bible But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the LORD. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible Yet Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, and paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. Amplified Bible But Jonah ran away to Tarshish to escape from the presence of the LORD [and his duty as His prophet]. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish [the most remote of the Phoenician trading cities]. So he paid the fare and went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the LORD. Christian Standard Bible Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the LORD’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the LORD’s presence. Holman Christian Standard Bible However, Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the LORD’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, from the LORD’s presence. American Standard Version But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah. Contemporary English Version Instead, Jonah ran from the LORD. He went to the seaport of Joppa and found a ship that was going to Spain. So he paid his fare, then got on the ship and sailed away to escape. English Revised Version But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jonah immediately tried to run away from the LORD by going to Tarshish. He went to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid for the trip and went on board. He wanted to go to Tarshish to get away from the LORD. Good News Translation Jonah, however, set out in the opposite direction in order to get away from the LORD. He went to Joppa, where he found a ship about to go to Spain. He paid his fare and went aboard with the crew to sail to Spain, where he would be away from the LORD. International Standard Version But Jonah got up and fled from the LORD to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, secured passage on a ship bound for Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded, intending to go with the mariners to Tarshish to escape from the LORD. Majority Standard Bible Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. NET Bible Instead, Jonah immediately headed off to Tarshish to escape from the commission of the LORD. He traveled to Joppa and found a merchant ship heading to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard it to go with them to Tarshish far away from the LORD. New Heart English Bible But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare of it, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. World English Bible But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jonah rises to flee to Tarshish from the face of YHWH, and goes down [to] Joppa, and finds a ship going [to] Tarshish, and he gives its fare, and goes down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the face of YHWH. Young's Literal Translation And Jonah riseth to flee to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah, and goeth down to Joppa, and findeth a ship going to Tarshish, and he giveth its fare, and goeth down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation And Jonah will rise up to flee to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah, and he will go down to Joppa; and he will find a ship going to Tarshish, and be will give his hire, and he will go down in it to go with them to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jonas rose up to flee into Tharsis from the face of the Lord, and he went down to Joppe, and found a ship going to Tharsis: and he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tharsis from the face of the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version And Jonah rose in order to flee from the face of the Lord to Tarshish. And he went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. And he paid its fare, and he went down into it, in order to go with them to Tarshish from the face of the Lord. New American Bible But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish, away from the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went down in it to go with them to Tarshish, away from the LORD. New Revised Standard Version But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare and went on board to go with them to Tarshish to flee from the presence of the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yonan stood to flee to Tarshish from before LORD JEHOVAH and came down to Yoppa, and he found a ship that went into Tarshish, and he gave payment and came down to it to enter with them to Tarshish to flee from before LORD JEHOVAH OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish, from the presence of the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation But Jonas rose up to flee to Tharsis from the presence of the Lord. And he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tharsis: and he paid his fare, and went up into it, to sail with them to Tharsis from the presence of the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jonah Flees From the LORD…2“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.” 3Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. Cross References Matthew 12:39-41 Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. / The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here. Luke 11:29-32 As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. / The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here. ... Acts 27:13-15 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete. / But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island. / Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along. Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? / If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. / If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, ... Romans 11:29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. 2 Kings 14:25 This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher. Jeremiah 23:24 “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. Mark 4:35-41 When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” / After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him. / Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. ... Acts 9:10-17 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered. / “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. / In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” ... Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Job 34:22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. 1 Kings 19:3 And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, Genesis 4:16 So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Exodus 4:13 But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” Treasury of Scripture But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. to flee. Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Exodus 4:13,14 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send… 1 Kings 19:3,9 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there… from. Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Joppa. Joshua 19:46 And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho. 2 Chronicles 2:16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem. Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. Tarshish. Isaiah 2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. Isaiah 23:1,6,10 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them… Isaiah 60:9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Jump to Previous Board Bound Fare Flee Found Headed Jonah Joppa Paid Paying Port Presence Ran Rose Ship Tarshish ThereofJump to Next Board Bound Fare Flee Found Headed Jonah Joppa Paid Paying Port Presence Ran Rose Ship Tarshish ThereofJonah 1 1. Jonah, sent to Nineveh, flees to Tarshish.4. He is betrayed by a great storm; 11. thrown into the sea; 17. and swallowed by a fish. Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish Jonah's decision to flee is significant as it demonstrates a direct act of disobedience to God's command. Tarshish is often identified with a distant location, possibly in Spain, representing the farthest known point in the ancient world. This choice underscores Jonah's intent to escape as far as possible from his divine mission. His actions contrast with the typical prophetic response of obedience, highlighting his reluctance and fear. away from the presence of the LORD He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD Persons / Places / Events 1. JonahA prophet of God, called to deliver a message to Nineveh, but chooses to flee instead. 2. Tarshish A distant location, often associated with the farthest reaches of the known world, symbolizing Jonah's attempt to escape God's call. 3. Joppa A port city where Jonah finds a ship to Tarshish, representing a point of decision and departure from God's directive. 4. The Ship Represents Jonah's chosen means of escape, highlighting his determination to avoid God's command. 5. The Presence of the LORD Indicates God's omnipresence and the futility of trying to escape His will. Teaching Points The Futility of Running from GodJonah's attempt to flee illustrates the impossibility of escaping God's presence and plan. We must recognize that God's reach is infinite, and His purposes will prevail. The Cost of Disobedience Jonah's journey to Tarshish required him to pay a fare, symbolizing the personal cost of running from God's will. Disobedience often leads to unnecessary burdens and consequences. God's Sovereign Call Despite Jonah's reluctance, God's call remains steadfast. This teaches us that God's purposes are not thwarted by human resistance, and He often uses even our disobedience to fulfill His plans. The Importance of Immediate Obedience Jonah's account encourages us to respond promptly to God's directives. Delayed obedience can lead to complications and missed opportunities for blessing. Reflecting on Our Own Tarshish We should examine areas in our lives where we might be fleeing from God's call, seeking comfort or escape rather than fulfilling His will.(3) But Jonah rose up to flee.--The motive of the prophet's flight is given by himself (Jonah 4:2). He foresaw the repentance of the city, and the mercy which would be displayed towards it, and was either jealous of his prophetic reputation, or had a patriotic dislike of becoming a messenger of good to a heathen foe so formidable to his own country. Tarshish.--This can hardly be any other than Tartessus, an ancient Ph?nician colony on the river Guadalquivir, in the south-west of Spain. (See Genesis 10:4; 1Chronicles 1:7.) A profound moral lesson lies in the choice of this refuge by Jonah. A man who tries to escape from a clearly-recognised duty--especially if he can at the time supply conscience with a plausible excuse--is in danger of falling all the lower, in proportion as his position was high. Jonah, commanded to go to Nineveh, in the far north-east, instantly tries to flee to the then farthermost west. Often between the saintly height and an abyss of sin there is no middle resting-point. The man with the highest ideal, when unfaithful to it, is apt to sink lower than the ordinary mortal. From the presence of the Lord.--Rather, from before the face of Jehovah. The words may imply (1) the belief in a possibility of hiding from the sight of God (as in Genesis 3:8), a belief which, as we gather from the insistence on its opposite in Psalms 139, lingered late in the popular conception; (2) a renunciation of the prophetic office. (Comp. Deuteronomy 10:8; 1Kings 17:1); (3) Flight from the Holy Land, where the Divine presence was understood to be especially manifested. Commentators have generally rejected the first of these as implying ignorance unworthy of a prophet; but, on embarking, Jonah went below, as if still more securely to hide, and used the same expression to the mariners, who would certainly take it in its literal and popular sense. . . . Verse 3. - Tarshish; probably, Tartessus, a Phoenician city on the south coast of Spain, and therefore in the opposite direction to Nineveh. He was sent to the far east; he flees to the distant west. From the presence of the Lord; literally, from the face of Jehovah. This may mean, from God s special presence in Jerusalem or the Holy Land, as banishment from Cannaan is called "casting out of his sight" (2 Kings 17:20, 23; 2 Kings 23:27); or, from serving the Lord as his minister (Deuteronomy 10:8), Jonah preferring to renounce his office as prophet rather than execute his mission. The former seems the most natural explanation of the phrase. Kimchi says that Jonah supposed that the spirit of prophecy would not extend beyond the land of Israel. He could never have thought to escape from God's all-seeing eye. His repugnance to the duty imposed upon him arose partly from national prejudice, which made him loth to interfere in Gentile business, and partly, as he himself says (Jonah 4:2), because he feared God's compassion would spare the Ninevites on their repentance, and that thus his prediction would be discredited, and mercy shown to heathens already inimical to Israel, if not known to him as the future conquerors of his people. Joppa. This is the modern Jaffa (called Japho in Joshua 19:46), a town on the seacoast thirty miles in a northwesterly direction from Jerusalem. "Jaffa," says Dr. Thomson ('The Land and the Book,' p. 8, etc.), "is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was given to Dan in the distribution of the land by Joshua, and it has been known to history ever since. It owes its existence to the low ledge of rocks which extends into the sea from the extremity of the little cape on which the city stands, and forms a small harbour. Insignificant as it is, and insecure, yet, there being no other on all this coast, it was sufficient to cause a city to spring up around it even in the earliest times, and to sustain its life through numberless changes of dynasties, races, and religions, down to the present hour. It was, in fact, the only harbour of any notoriety possessed by the Jews throughout the greater part of their national existence. To it the timber for both the temples of Jerusalem was brought from Lebanon; and no doubt a lucrative trade in cedar and pine was always carried on through it with the nations who had possession of that goodly mountain. Through it, also, nearly all the foreign commerce of the Jews was conducted, until the artificial pert of Caessarea was built by Herod .... The harbour, howewer, is very inconvenient and insecure. Vessels of any considerable burden must lie out in the open road-stead - a very uneasy berth at all times; and even a moderate wind will oblige them to slip their cables and run out to sea, or seek anchorage at Haifa, sixty miles distant .... The road-stead is liable to sudden and unexpected storms, which stir up a tumultuous sea in a very short time .... The landing also is most inconvenient, and often extremely dangerous. More boats upset, and more lives are lost in the breakers at the north end of the ledge of rocks that defend the inner harbour than anywhere else on this coast." Went down into it; ἀνέβη [ἐνέβη, Alex.] εἰς αὐτό, "went up into it" (Septuagint). Went on board; or, as Jerome says, sought a hiding place in the ship (comp. ver. 5). With them. With the crew. Jonah had told them (ver. 10) that he was flying from God's service, but, knowing and earing nothing about Jehovah, they took him on board when he paid his fare, and thought nothing of his private reasons for joining themParallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Jonah, however,יוֹנָה֙ (yō·w·nāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3124: Jonah -- an Israelite prophet got up וַיָּ֤קָם (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand and fled לִבְרֹ֣חַ (liḇ·rō·aḥ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly to Tarshish, תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה (tar·šî·šāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 8659: Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite away from the presence מִלִּפְנֵ֖י (mil·lip̄·nê) Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face of the LORD. יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel He went down וַיֵּ֨רֶד (way·yê·reḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to Joppa יָפ֜וֹ (yā·p̄ōw) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3305: Joppa -- a seaport city of Palestine and found וַיִּמְצָ֥א (way·yim·ṣā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present a ship אָנִיָּ֣ה ׀ (’ā·nî·yāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 591: A ship bound בָּאָ֣ה (bā·’āh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go for Tarshish. תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ (ṯar·šîš) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8659: Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite So he paid וַיִּתֵּ֨ן (way·yit·tên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set the fare שְׂכָרָ֜הּ (śə·ḵā·rāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 7939: Payment of contract, salary, fare, maintenance, compensation, benefit and went aboard וַיֵּ֤רֶד (way·yê·reḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to sail לָב֤וֹא (lā·ḇō·w) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go for Tarshish, תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה (tar·šî·šāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 8659: Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite away from the presence מִלִּפְנֵ֖י (mil·lip̄·nê) Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face of the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links Jonah 1:3 NIVJonah 1:3 NLT Jonah 1:3 ESV Jonah 1:3 NASB Jonah 1:3 KJV Jonah 1:3 BibleApps.com Jonah 1:3 Biblia Paralela Jonah 1:3 Chinese Bible Jonah 1:3 French Bible Jonah 1:3 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee (Jon. Jh) |
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