What does Jonah 1:1 mean?
"Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying," - Jonah 1:1
Jonah 1:1 - "Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,"
The verse Jonah 1:1 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying."
This short verse is the opening to the book of Jonah in the Old Testament, and it sets the stage for the story that follows. The book of Jonah tells the tale of a prophet who is called by God to deliver a message to the city of Nineveh, but who instead tries to flee from God's command.
The book of Jonah is unique among the prophetic books in the Bible in that it focuses more on the personal journey of the prophet himself than on the message he is given to deliver. This verse, then, serves as the introduction to Jonah's story, and it carries a number of important themes and messages.
One of the central themes in the book of Jonah is the idea of obedience to God's will. In this verse, we see that the "word of the Lord" comes directly to Jonah, and he is given a specific task to fulfill. The fact that the word of the Lord "came unto Jonah" indicates that he is being called to a particular mission, and the verse sets up the conflict that arises when Jonah tries to run away from this divine calling.
The verse also introduces us to the character of Jonah, identifying him as "the son of Amittai." While this may simply seem like a way of distinguishing him from other men named Jonah, it could also be seen as a way of grounding Jonah in his human lineage and ancestry. This serves to remind the reader that Jonah is a real person with a tangible history, rather than just a figure in a story.
Additionally, this verse highlights the importance of the spoken word in the book of Jonah. The fact that the word of the Lord "came" to Jonah implies a direct and personal communication from God. Throughout the book of Jonah, the power of words and the act of speaking are recurring motifs - Jonah must deliver a message to the people of Nineveh, and the city is ultimately saved by the power of this spoken word.
Symbolically, the name "Jonah" means "dove" in Hebrew, and the dove is a symbol of peace and innocence. This is interesting in light of the fact that Jonah's story is ultimately one of redemption and reconciliation. Despite Jonah's initial reluctance, God ultimately uses him to bring a message of hope and repentance to the people of Nineveh.
In a broader sense, the story of Jonah can be seen as a metaphor for the human struggle with obedience and faith. Jonah's attempts to flee from God's command mirror our own tendencies to resist or question the will of a higher power. The book of Jonah ultimately serves as a reminder that, no matter how far we may run, we cannot escape the presence and calling of God.
In conclusion, the opening verse of the book of Jonah lays the groundwork for the story that follows, introducing us to the prophet, his divine calling, and the themes of obedience, communication, and redemption that will be central to the narrative. Through studying this verse and the book of Jonah as a whole, we are invited to reflect on our own relationship with God and the ways in which we respond to his word.
Jonah 1:1 Artwork
Jonah 1:1 - "Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,"
Jonah 4:1 - "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry."
Jonah 3:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,"
Jonah 1:17 – "But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights."
Jonah 2:1 - "Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,"
Jonah 1:17 - "¶ Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."
Jonah 1:15 - "So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging."
Jonah 1:16 - "Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows."
Jonah 1:5 - "Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep."
Jonah 1:7 - "And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah."
Jonah 1:4 - "¶ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken."
Jonah 1:13 - "Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them."
Jonah 1:2 - "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me."
Jonah 1:3 - "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."
Jonah 1:11 - "¶ Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous."
Jonah 1:9 - "And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land."
Jonah 1:10 - "Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them."
Jonah 1:6 - "So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not."
Jonah 1:8 - "Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?"
Jonah 1:12 - "And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you."
Jonah 1:14 - "Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee."
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