Commentary on the old testament book of jonah

Often thought of as a story about a whale, the book of jonah is actually more a whale of a story. Outline studies in the books of the old testament by. Additionally he has been published in various books. 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. Job is a wealthy and godfearing man with a comfortable life and a large family. He had the great privilege to have been chosen to be gods servant, in bringing gods message of salvation both to his nation of israel and also to nineveh. Leslie allen joined the school of theology in 1983 as professor of old testament and served in that capacity until 2004. Salters stresses the authenticity of jonah s message to the ninevites, along with their need for.

Jonah s actions and motives, as well as gods actions and motives, are discussed with a constant eye on the books main theme. Jonah is religious fiction, with the key happenings historically impossiblethis book is allegory jonah s three days in the belly of the whale symbolize the three jewish exiles. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah grand rapids. The only reference to jonah in a historical context is found in 2 kings 14. Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of. Second, if the book of jonah is actually a fictitious account with no historical basis, what does this do to the credibility of jesus of nazareth. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name. This book was an exceptionally good and concise commentary on the book of jonah. Although the book of jonah does not identify the author, traditionally it is believed that jonah, son of.

A thoroughly exegetical and explanatory commentary. It addresses the problem of theodicy, meaning why god permits evil in the world, through the experiences of the eponymous protagonist. Add onto that the peculiarities of how the jewish authors presented their message through their indigenous stylistic methods and you have a very rich reading or learning experience. Introduction the old testament book of jonah entails the story of a minor prophet who is commissioned by god to speak truth in the city of nineveh for the purpose of repentance.

Revised with the authors translation of the book of jonah. Mission, salvation and spirituality in the book of jonah new studies in biblical theology signs of. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. The man jonah was the main character of the book, he was the son of amittai jonah 1. He explores their key themes with an eye to their fulfilment in the new testament and their significance for today. The commentary on micah is foundational for these four books in that it treats at greater length some of the same forms and motifs that appear in joel, obadiah, and jonah. The book of jonah is the fifth book in the christian canons and the jewish tanakh. Each unit concludes with a discussion of the canonical and practical significance of the passage, synthesizing its theology and message for readers today. Answer these questions by looking up prophet and prophecy in your bible dictionary. A survey of the bible, however cursory and partial, cannot but prove helpful. The book of jonah is unique among the books of the prophets.

Jesus does, however, make mention of the title character in one memorable passage, and key elements from the storys plot seem to surface here and there in the narratives of the synoptic gospels and acts. Jonah was a prophet of the lord and he was called to deliver a message of repentance to the city of nineveh which was the capital of the assyrian empire. The first is jonahs inability to reconcile yhwhs concern for nations hostile to israel with his election of israel. During jonahs years as a prophet, israel stood tall among the nations, though in. Street, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of obst 520d09 old testament orientation ii by james gruber december 12, 2019 1. A commentary the old testament library limburg, james on. The style of the book of jonah is distinctive among the prophetic books.

The introductory material for joel includes discussions of canonicity and textual criticism that apply to the entire volume. The new international commentary on the old testament. In the book, jonah is repeatedly denoted as a third person, causing few to search for a different author. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. Sleeping christians stay away from the work of the lord jonah slept while there was a prayer meeting up on the deck. Obadiah, jonah, and micah are short yet surprisingly rich in theological and practical terms. This book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. Jonah slept in a place where he hoped no one would see him or disturb him. Uhoh, it looks like your internet explorer is out of date. Zondervan exegetical commentary on the old testament zecot 9780310528357 by kevin j. An exegetical and expository commentary grand rapids.

Jonah the anchor yale bible commentaries by jack m. The narratives are captivating, can evoke strong emotion in those reading it etc. Henrys wellknown complete commentary provides an exhaustive versebyverse study of the last seventeen books of the old testament, also known as the prophetical. But jonah, instead of rising to go to nineveh, rose up to flee to tarshish, to the sea, not bound for any port, but desirous to get away from the presence of the lord.

The pursuit and arrest of him for that disobedience by a storm, in which he was asleep. Joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah new international commentary on the old testament by leslie allen. Get your order fast and stress free with free curbside pickup. Allen, the books of joel, obadiah, jonah and micah, ed. Book of jonah lesson 1 welcome to the study of the book of jonah. In the book of jonah, two problems keep the prophet from fully enjoying and freely sharing divine mercy. Best commentaries and books on jonah logos bible software. Best jonah commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. Go to the great city of nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me. David guzik commentary on jonah 1, where jonah receives a call from god, but decides. Concerning the time period of this ancient book, walsh explains, like other late biblical tales from the diverse persian period 538323 bce, such as the books of esther and ruth, jonah takes place in strange lands. These outline studies in the books of the old testament pretend to be no more than helps in the reading of the scripturesthan to catch a few of.

He did not even mention jonahs first failure to obey him. Harrison, the new international commentary on the old testament grand rapids. The dishonour jonah did to god in refusing to obey his orders, and to go on the errand on which he was sent. The book of micah, for example, is about ten pages in a standard bible, and allens book. The gloss on jonah relies almost exclusively on jeromes commentary on jonah c.

Summary of the book of jonah the story of the bible. Commentaries allen has written include jeremiah in the old testament library, psalms and ezekiel in the word biblical commentary, and chronicles in the new interpreters bible. There are many exegetical commentaries, but none accomplish what this series has achieved. Identified in verse 1 as the son of amittai, jonah came from a town called. Douglas stuart, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1987, 588 pp. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. Zondervan exegetical commentary on the old testament. Use the index below to select any old testament book. Micah, book ofcommentaries, commentaries old testament.

In explaining the verses of the book of jonah, the commentators explore many core topics, including human nature, our relationship with god, the interaction of jews and gentiles, and the meaning of our lives. Jonah was the son of amittai, the prophet, a native of gathhepher. As with most old testament interpretations found in the new testament, jesus interpretation is primarily typological. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new. In this tyndale commentary on these minor but important prophets, daniel timmer considers each books historical setting, genre, structure, and unity.

Now nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days journey. My focus is on newer commentaries at least in part because most of the classics are now freely or cheaply available and i am offering approximately 5 recommendations for each book of the bible, alternating between the old testament and the new. The whole book is about gods great love and great patience. Liberty university school of divinity old testament exegetical commentary of jonah submitted to dr. The discovery of him, and his disobedience, to be the cause of the storm. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Feb 20, 2020 i think studying the old testament ot can be fascinating and challenging. Historical background the book of jonah is anonymous and although it does not identify an author, many scholars believe it was the prophet himself who wrote the book the book is named after the main character and prophet jonah son of amittai as stated in 1. See more about the tyndale old testament commentary series.

The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the. Jonah 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Now the word of the lord came unto jonah the son of amittai, saying, jonah dove, the son of. Jonah chapter 1 explained discover books of the bible. Obadiah, jonah, micah tyndale old testament commentaries, 1988. Through satire and compelling storytelling, the book of jonah reveals to readers why god is compassionate to evildoers in the past and present age today. New international commentary on the old testament nicot by. Best books on jonah a gracious and compassionate god.

However, the book of jonah is presented in a nonhistorical setting. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of. Eerdmans publishing company, 1976 baldwin, joyce, in mccomiskey, thomas edward ed. Study the books of hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, and jonah with pioneering old testament scholar douglas stuart. Though i must state that the author is writing from the view of didactic fiction meaning that he views the book of jonah as based on a historical figure and life, but not a record of literal history. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament leslie c.

Pdf commentary on the book of jonah samuel amirtharaj. Commentary on the book of jonah samuel amirtharaj middle old testament 21516 historical background authorship though the author is not mentioned in the book itself, many scholars attribute it to be jonah the son of amittai. Jonah, whose name means dove, lived in gathhepher, located just north of nazareth, during the reign of jeroboam ii in the. Unlike the others, however, jonah rejects gods call. In addition to this exceptionality, jonah was the only old testament prophet to attempt to run from god. Zondervan, 2004, 33 9 for a fuller treatment on the subject of gods love in the ot as portrayed in the book of jonah, see james chukwuma okoye, 2010. Study guide for jonah 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Jonah, book ofcommentaries, commentaries old testament.

The second is jonahs inability to reconcile yhwhs justice with his mercy. Dec 02, 2012 so by beginning the story of jonah with this word, the author is showing us that this short story is part of a longer narrative. This book offers the first full english translation of the commentaries of rashi, ibn ezra, kimchi, abarbanel. Smith is quoted in the encyclopedia of religion as saying. Douglas stuart hoseajonah word biblical commentary, 1987. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament allen, leslie c. This old testament book describes at least part of the ministry of a prophet called jonah, the only prophet who attempted to run away from god. In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. The lord plainly declared that jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish mt.

The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament by leslie c. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament. Old testament commentaries best bible commentaries. Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of jonah. Commentary on the book of jonah samuel amirtharaj middle old testament 21516 f historical background authorship though the author is not mentioned in the book itself, many scholars attribute it to be jonah the son of amittai. Allen as an amazon associate, if you use the link above, we receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah by leslie c. In the midst of the obscure prophecies before and after this book, wherein. Heartbreaking, strange, and hopeful stories, these books are among the bibles most misunderstood. As is typical with twelve prophets, the book of jonah begins with a call from god to the prophet jon. This commentary provides a comprehensive analysis of four old testament books and the reader certainly will have little room for questions or need further investigation outside of this text. Best commentaries on each book of the bible tim challies.

Jonah, whose name means dove, prophesied in the time of jeroboam ii, king of israel 793753 bc 2 kgs 14. The book of jonah stands firmly in the old testament tradition, but the genre and aim of its author are not easy to discern. In the old testament, the book of jonah is classified as prophesy. A primer for reading the old testament book of the prophet jonah. Dec 11, 2018 in addition to this exceptionality, jonah was the only old testament prophet to attempt to run from god. Additionally, you can learn about the theological perspective of authors, the target audience for each resourcefor example, pastors, sunday school or small group leaders, individual selfstudiesand much more. The book of jonah is contained in a section of the old testament known. Echoes of jonah in the new testament mark allan powell he book of jonah is never quoted in the new testament. He went down to joppa and found a ship bound for tarshish. The commentary on micah is the basic one of these four in that it treats at greater length some of the same forms and motifs that appear in joel, obadiah, and jonah.