---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "the word of the LORD came. This statement is unanswerable, and covers the truth of the whole contents of this book. This, or a like expression occurs  se"
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url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/jonah/1"
---

**the word of the LORD came.** This statement is unanswerable, and covers the truth of the whole contents of this book. This, or a like expression occurs *seven* times in Jonah ([Jonah 1:1](../../../kjv/jonah/1/1) ; [Jonah 2:10](../../../kjv/jonah/2/10) ; [Jonah 3:1](../../../kjv/jonah/3/1) , [Jonah 3:3](../../../kjv/jonah/3/3) ; [Jonah 3:4](../../../kjv/jonah/3/4) .[Jonah 4:9](../../../kjv/jonah/4/9) , [Jonah 4:10](../../../kjv/jonah/4/10) ).
**the Lord.** Hebrew. *Jehovah.* App-4 . Jonah is the prophet named and described in [2 Kings 14:25](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/25) . He was a native of Gath-hepher, now *el Meshhed,* three miles north-east of Nazareth. Nazareth was in Galilee (see App-169 ). The statement of the Pharisee, in [John 7:52](../../../kjv/john/7/52) was not true.
**the son of Amittai.** See [2 Kings 14:25](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/25) .
**Amittai** = the truth of Jehovah.

**Arise,** go. Contrast "rose up to flee" ([Jonah 1:3](../../../kjv/jonah/1/3) ).
**Nineveh.** Op. [Genesis 10:11](../../../kjv/genesis/10/11) , [Genesis 10:12](../../../kjv/genesis/10/12) . Mentioned again in Jon 8:2 , Jon 8:3 ; [Jonah 4:11](../../../kjv/jonah/4/11) . The capital of Assyria, on the left bank of the Tigris. Called first Nina, from the patron goddess of the city; of Babylonian origin; founded by a colony from Nina in South Babylonia *(see Records* of the Past, vol. iv, part ii, p. 61). Khammurabi, 1915 B.C. (on *Companion Bible* dating), code iv, pp. 60-62, spells it Ni-nu-a. Excavations reveal "the mound *of Nebi- Yunus* crowned by the tomb of Jonah, which could not then be explored" (see Art. "Nineveh" in the Encycl. *Brit.,* 11th (Cambridge) edition, 1911).
**cry against it.** Not whisper or speak softly, but cry, as making a general proclamation. Hebrew kara'. Compare [Judges 7:3](../../../kjv/judges/7/3) , [Judges 7:20](../../../kjv/judges/7/20) . [Isaiah 58:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/58/1) .[Joel 3:9](../../../kjv/joel/3/9) . [Amos 4:5](../../../kjv/amos/4/5) , &c. Compare also verses: [Jonah 1:2](../../../kjv/jonah/1/2) , [Jonah 1:6](../../../kjv/jonah/1/6) , [Jonah 1:2](../../../kjv/jonah/1/2) .
**their wickedness.** Nineveh was noted for violence and cruelty of all kinds, recorded in its own *bas-reliefs,* &c. (seven [Nahum 2:8-13](../../../kjv/nahum/2/8-13) ). (Ref, to Pentateuch ([Genesis 18:20](../../../kjv/genesis/18/20) , [Genesis 18:21](../../../kjv/genesis/18/21) ).
**wickedness.** Hebrew, plural *of ra'a'.* App-44 .

**rose up to flee.** Jonah knew that Assyria was to be God's sword of judgment against Israel. If Nineveh perished, Israel might be saved. God's mercy might arrest this overthrow of Nineveh. Was this why Jonah would sacrifice himself to save his nation? This would explain his flight here, and his displeasure, as clearly stated in [Jonah 4:1-3](../../../kjv/jonah/4/1-3) . When he said ([Jonah 1:12](../../../kjv/jonah/1/12) ), "Take me up", &c., he had counted the cost. He confesses to the men (verses: [Jonah 1:9](../../../kjv/jonah/1/9) , [Jonah 1:10](../../../kjv/jonah/1/10) ), but not to God. He gave his life to save his People. The type of Christ may have begun here. See [Galatians 1:3](../../../kjv/galatians/1/3) , [Galatians 1:13](../../../kjv/galatians/1/13) ; and compare [Romans 9:1-3](../../../kjv/romans/9/1-3) .
**Tarshish** . See note on [1 Kings 10:22](../../../kjv/1-kings/10/22) .
**from the presence of the Lord.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Genesis 4:16](../../../kjv/genesis/4/16) ). App-92 .
**Joppa.** Now Jaffa. Compare [Joshua 19:46](../../../kjv/joshua/19/46) , [2 Chronicles 2:16](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/2/16) . [Acts 9:36](../../../kjv/acts/9/36) .
**ship** . Pleb. *'aniyah = any* large merchant ship. Not the same word as in [Jonah 1:5](../../../kjv/jonah/1/5) .
**he paid the fare** : and counted the cost of his flight. See notes on the Structure, p. 1247.

**wind.** *Hebrew ruach.* App-9 .
**was like** = thought. Figure of speech *Prosopopoeia.* App-6 .

**mariners** = salts. Hebrew. *mallach* = salt.
**cried** = cried in prayer. Hebrew. *keli* , Not the same word as in verses: [Jonah 1:2](../../../kjv/jonah/1/2) , [Jonah 1:14](../../../kjv/jonah/1/14) .
**every man.** Hebrew. *'ish* . App-14 .
**wares** = tackling. Hebrew. *keli* = implements.
**into the sides** = below deck, or cabins. Compare [Ezekiel 32:23](../../../kjv/ezekiel/32/23) .[Amos 6:10](../../../kjv/amos/6/10) .
**ship** = the deck, or covered part. Hebrew sephinah. A genuine Hebrew word, borrowed by inland people, (Syrians. Chaldeans and Arabians), from a maritime people; not vice versa. Hebrew root *saphan = to* cover ([Deuteronomy 33:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/21) (margin coiled). [1 Kings 6:9](../../../kjv/1-kings/6/9) ; 1Ki 7:3 , [1 Kings 7:7](../../../kjv/1-kings/7/7) . [Jeremiah 22:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/22/14) .[Haggai 1:4](../../../kjv/haggai/1/4); [Haggai 1:4](../../../kjv/haggai/1/4) ). English "deck" is from Dutch *dekken.*

**shipmaster** = chief of the rope. Phoenician for captain. Hebrew. *rab hachobel.* Not a "later word", because a "captain" is not mentioned earlier. *Rah =* captain, or head. See [2 Kings 25:8](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/8) . [Esther 1:8](../../../kjv/esther/1/8) . [Daniel 1:8](../../../kjv/daniel/1/8) . *Chobel* occurs in [Ezekiel 27:8](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/8) , [Ezekiel 27:27](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/27) , [Ezekiel 27:28](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/28) , [Ezekiel 27:29](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/29) , where it is rendered "pilot".
**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim.* (with *'eth)* = the true God. With *'eth,* in the second occurrence. App-4 .

**evil** = calamity: as in [Amos 3:6](../../../kjv/amos/3/6) . Hebrew. *raa `.* App-44 .

**for whose cause,** &c. = for what cause. The lot had told them the person, but not the "cause". So they appeal to Jonah.

**he said,** &c. He does not tell them all. We find the real reason in [Jonah 4:1-3](../../../kjv/jonah/4/1-3) .
**Hebrew.** Referring to the language spoken. A title used in relation to foreigners ([Genesis 40:16](../../../kjv/genesis/40/16) . [Exodus 3:18](../../../kjv/exodus/3/18) , &c.)
**the God of heaven** . The title in relation to the Creator's creatures. See note on [2 Chronicles 36:23](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/36/23) .
**Which hath made,** &c. Reference to Pentateuch ([Genesis 1:1](../../../kjv/genesis/1/1) , [Genesis 1:10](../../../kjv/genesis/1/10) ).

**men.** Hebrew, plural of *'enosh.* App-14 .
**exceedingly** = afraid. Figure of speech *Potyptoton* ( App-6 ) = feared a great fear.
**Why . . . ?** They knew the *fact* of his flight, but not the *reason,* which is not revealed till [Jonah 4:1-3](../../../kjv/jonah/4/1-3) . This is not therefore "a later addition", as alleged.

**wrought,** &c. = grew more and more tempestuous. Hebrew "was going on and raging".

**Take me up . . . I know.** He had counted the cost.

**rowed hard.** The tackling had gone. See note on "wares", [Jonah 1:5](../../../kjv/jonah/1/5) .
**bring it** = bring it back.

**man's.** Hebrew. *'ish* . App-14 .
**life** = soul. Hebrew. *nephesh.* *App-13* *.*
**as** = according as. Compare [Psalms 115:3](../../../kjv/psalms/115/3) .

**took up** = took up with reverence or care: as in [Genesis 47:30](../../../kjv/genesis/47/30) . [Exodus 28:12](../../../kjv/exodus/28/12) , [Exodus 28:29](../../../kjv/exodus/28/29) , &c. Hebrew. *nasa'* .
**cast him,** &c. Why are we *to assume* that the result was different in this case from that in every other, unless so stated? It must have been death. See note on p. 1247.
**ceased,** &c. Compare [Psalms 89:9](../../../kjv/psalms/89/9) . [Luke 8:24](../../../kjv/luke/8/24) .

**offered,** &c. = sacrificed: i.e. they vowed that they would offer [when they landed]. Hebrew. *zebach.* App-43 .

**prepared** = appointed, or assigned. From Hebrew. *mdndh, to* number. Hence, to appoint, as in [Job 7:3](../../../kjv/job/7/3) .[Daniel 1:5](../../../kjv/daniel/1/5) ; [Daniel 1:10-11](../../../kjv/daniel/1/10-11) ; and Chaldee. *mynah* ([Daniel 5:25](../../../kjv/daniel/5/25) , [Daniel 5:26](../../../kjv/daniel/5/26) ). Compare [Jonah 4:6-8](../../../kjv/jonah/4/6-8) . Never means to create.
**great fish.** Large enough to swallow him. in [Matthew 12:40](../../../kjv/matthew/12/40) , Greek. *kilos -* any large marine monster; whence *Cetacece* -the mammalian order of fish. No need for any name. Compare [Matthew 12:20](../../../kjv/matthew/12/20) ; [Matthew 16:4](../../../kjv/matthew/16/4) .[Luke 11:30](../../../kjv/luke/11/30) .
**swallow up . . . belly.** Not therefore kept alive in the fish ' s *mouth,* as some imagine. When thus swallowed up, Jonah must have died, and thus became a type of Christ. The "as" and "so" in [Matthew 12:40](../../../kjv/matthew/12/40) require Jonah's death. He would have been no type if he had been miraculously kept alive. See further notes below.
**was** = came to be.
**belly** = bowels.
**three days and three nights.** The Hebrew idiom "three days" can be used for parts of three days (and even of years): but not when the word "nights" is added. See [Matthew 12:40](../../../kjv/matthew/12/40) , and note the force of "as". See App-144 and App-156 .

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