MS: וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו מַה־נַּעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ וְיִשְׁתֹּק הַיָּם מֵעָלֵינוּ כִּי הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר
LXX: καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτὸν τί ποιήσομέν σοι καὶ κοπάσει ἡ θάλασσα ἀφʼ ἡμῶν ὅτι ἡ θάλασσα ἐπορεύετο καὶ ἐξήγειρε μᾶλλον κλύδωνα
TJ: וַאֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ מַה נַעְבֵּיד לָךְ וִינוּחַ יַמָא מִנָנָא אֲרֵי יַמָא אָזֵיל וְנַחְשׁוֹלֵיהּ תַּקִיף
Verse Breakdown
MS: וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו מַה־נַּעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ LXX: καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτὸν τί ποιήσομέν σοι TJ: וַאֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ מַה נַעְבֵּיד לָךְ
MS: vay’omru ‘elayv mah-na`aseh lakh LXX: kai eipon pros auton ti poiesomen soi TJ: va’amaru leyh mah na`ebeyd lakh
MS: And they said to him, “what can we do to you” LXX: And said to him, “what can we do to you” tJ: And they said to him, “what can we do to you”
MS: וְיִשְׁתֹּק הַיָּם מֵעָלֵינוּ LXX: καὶ κοπάσει ἡ θάλασσα ἀφʼ ἡμῶν TJ: וִינוּחַ יַמָא מִנָנָא
MS: veyishtoq hayam me`aleynu LXX: kai kopasei he thalassa af hemon TJ: vinukh yama’ minana’
MS: That may quiet, the sea, from upon us LXX: That quiet, the sea, from us TJ: That quiet, the sea, from us
MS: כִּי הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר LXX: ὅτι ἡ θάλασσα ἐπορεύετο καὶ ἐξήγειρε μᾶλλον κλύδωνα TJ: אֲרֵי יַמָא אָזֵיל וְנַחְשׁוֹלֵיהּ תַּקִיף
MS: ci hayam holekh veso`er LXX: hoti he thalassa eporeueto kai exegeire mallon klydona TJ: ‘arey yama’ ‘azeyl venakhsholeyh taqif
MS: For the sea was going and tempestuous LXX: For the sea was going and stirring a greater tempest TJ: For the sea was going and its waves were violent
Critical Reconstruction
Shortest Construction:
“And they said to him, ‘what can we do to you, that may quiet, the sea, from upon us,’ for the sea was going and tempestuous.”
Longest Construction:
“And they said to him, ‘what can we do to you, that may quiet, the sea, from upon us,’ for the sea was going and stirring a greater tempest.”
Overview:
There is only a small change in this verse across traditions, relating to the final action of the sea. The speech of the sailors to Jonah is virtually identical across the MS, LXX, and TJ. However, the final clause, “for the sea was going and tempestuous,” is clarified across traditions. Instead of tempestuous, LXX notes “stirring up a greater tempest.” Likewise, TJ notes, “its waves were violent.” These are clear explanatory notes on what the “tempest” was. LXX explains the storm was getting worse and worse, while TJ explains the waves were violent.
Understand Where You Are
One of the biggest challenges in exploring the Bible is the sheer amount of biblical text and explanative resources. There are thousands and thousands of commentaries published on each book of the Bible. This Jonah commentary sits in a massive sea of literature, both ancient and modern. There is more commentary on the book of Jonah than one could possibly read in a lifetime, though it is only four chapters. Further, even approaching the text itself can be difficult.
The key to understanding a biblical text is its context. Context literally means with (con) text. It’s the stuff around the book of Jonah. We explored this in the introduction to Jonah. When we approach a biblical text, we have to know how to select what should be explored, and what shouldn’t. There are far too many resources and passages to realistically explore when approaching any given text. This is why we default to the questions we have already used, to search for context throughout the Bible first, and if the Bible does not note anything, then throughout extra-biblical history. After all, the Bible is the best commentary on itself. So let’s do just that. Let’s use the five questions to selectively look at context for Jonah, and keep Jonah 1:11 in mind as we do that.
Who – These sailors are pagans. Throughout Scripture we see the area of Joppa, where these sailors are working from, controlled by Philistine powers. They worshipped Dagon, the fish-man god. In fact, the Philistines were likely sailors who settled in the new land of Canaan. Jonah is an Israelite. His ancestors dominated the land of Canaan, given to them by God. Before that, they were slaves in Egypt, and before that they lived near Babylon. They are called to worship God, and be His representatives, but they constantly run away. Just like Jonah, right?
What – In the book of Jonah, Jonah is a prophet. But what is a prophet? The first major prophet of God’s people was Abraham, who God spoke a promise to, that He would make a great nation from him. Another significant prophet was Moses, who gave God’s people His Law. Then there was Samuel, who ruled the nation as a prophet, calling people back to God. Then Elijah and Elisha, men of miracles. Then there was Jonah, the prophet who refused to speak for God or do anything honorable. How did that happen?
When – The time period is significant here. A brief survey of the Bible will tell you the northern kingdom of Israel was about to be conquered by Assyria, whose capital is Nineveh. Extra-biblical sources tell us Nineveh was a city devoted to wickedness toward their conquered enemies. Strictly speaking, they were evil.
Where – The location of this story is significant as well. Jonah comes from Israel, God’s nation. Yet he flees on the Mediterranean sea, just west of Israel, to escape as far as he possibly could. Now out in the middle of no-where, on the waters, does God get Jonah’s attention.
Why – Why does this happen? God throughout the Bible is a loving God who wants to see wicked people repent and come to know Him. This is a theme throughout the Bible, but is especially clear in Jonah. God’s people, on the other hand, do not act like God. They are grateful for God’s grace and protection, but do not follow. Jonah likewise is grateful, yet runs when he is called to give good news to a nation about to die. How many Israelites could see themselves in Jonah’s shoes? How many of you can see the Pharisees in Jonah’s shoes?
Using these questions both inside and outside the narrative help us to place the story with better understanding. This is one of the major reasons Scripture study can be so difficult to get into. Understanding context can be a tedious task, and when you ignore it you are sure to get lost with questions. Take time to explore where a story sits, and you will reap the benefits.
