Jonah 2:1 Critical Comparison reveals theological nuances across different textual traditions, highlighting Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish.
Jonah 2:1 Critical Comparison reveals theological nuances across different textual traditions, highlighting Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish.
Jonah 2:1 Critical Comparison reveals theological nuances across different textual traditions, highlighting Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish.
MS: וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל יוֹנָה אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו מִמְּעֵי הַדָּגָה
LXX: Καὶ προσηύξατο Ἰωνᾶς πρὸς Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας τοῦ κήτους
TJ: וְצַלֵי יוֹנָה קֳדָם יְיָ אֱלָהֵיהּ מִמְעַיָא דְנוּנָא
Verse Breakdown
MS: וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל יוֹנָה אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו LXX: Καὶ προσηύξατο Ἰωνᾶς πρὸς Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν αὐτοῦ TJ: וְצַלֵי יוֹנָה קֳדָם יְיָ אֱלָהֵיהּ
MS: vayitpalel yonah ‘el-yehovah ‘elohaiv LXX: kai proseuxato ionas pros kyrion ton theon autou TJ: vetsaley yonah qadam yeya ‘elaheih
MS: And prayed, Jonah, to the Lord his God LXX: And prayed, Jonah, to the Lord his God TJ: And prayed, Jonah, before the Lord his God
MS: מִמְּעֵי הַדָּגָה LXX: ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας τοῦ κήτους TJ: מִמְעַיָא דְנוּנָא
MS: mim`ey hadagah LXX: ek tes koilias tou ketous TJ: mim`aya’ denuna’
MS: From the belly of the fish LXX: From the belly of the fish TJ: From the belly of the fish
Critical Reconstruction
Shortest Construction:
“And prayed, Jonah, to the Lord his God, from the belly of the fish.”
Longest Construction:
“And prayed, Jonah, before the Lord his God, from the belly of the fish.”
Overview:
This verse has little to no change across traditions. The only slight difference is the consistent approach from TJ to refer to the “qadam,” “presence,” of the Lord rather than the Lord Himself. This causes Jonah to pray in the presence of the Lord, or before the Lord, rather than to the Lord. This is a small but meaningful theological change.
The Significance of Hb and Gr “pray” through the OT, LXX, and NT
1. Introduction
The prayer of Jonah is a critical narrative point in Jonah 2, marking the dramatic shift in Jonah’s attitude from rebellion to reluctant obedience. The theme of prayer is typically used as a dramatic narrative point in many biblical stories of the OT and NT, and therefore is a buzz-word to look for when reading. Below will examine this theme throughout the OT, LXX, and NT.
2. Lexical and Linguistic Background
The Hb “palal” is the term used in Jonah 2:1 to refer to Jonah’s prayer. This term is defined by Strongs as “to judge…to intercede, pray.” This term is only used 84 times throughout the WLC Hebrew OT, yet is used with much significant connotation.
The Gr “proseukhomai” is used in LXX Jonah 2:1, and is defined by Strongs with tighter semantic range as “to pray to God.” This term is used 77 times throughout the LXX Greek OT, and 87 times throughout the TR Greek NT. This term is a compound word from “pros,” meaning “toward,” and “eukhomai,” meaning “to wish, to pray to God.” Together, these terms mean to offer prayer to God.
3. The word in the Bible
This Hb term is used as many critical points in OT narratives. A brief survey would have to include Genesis 20:7, 1 Samuel 1:10, 1 Kings 8:28, and Daniel 9:20. The Hb “palal” is used in Genesis 20:7 to refer to the prayer of Abraham for Pharoah, “…for he is a prophet, and he will pray [Hb “palel”] for you and you shall live…” In 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah prays to the Lord for a son, “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed [Hb “palal”] to the LORD and wept in anguish.” 1 Kings 8:28 notes, “…listen to the cry and the prayer [Hb “tepilat”] which Your servant is praying [Hb “tepilat”] before You today.” Hb “tepilat” is the noun form of the verb, Hb “palal.” Finally, Daniel 9:20 notes, “Now while I was speaking, praying [Hb “palal”], and confessing my sin…” which occurs immediately before Daniel’s visions.
The Hb “palal” in the previous verses is translated in the LXX Greek OT as Gr “proseukhomai,” “pray,” or a related term in each instance. The TR Greek NT uses Gr “proseukhomai” in Matthew 6:9, Matthew 26:39, Acts 2:42, and 1 Thessalonians 5:17. First, Matthew 6:9 gives Jesus’ instruction on how to pray, saying, “In this manner, therefore, pray [Gr “proseukhomai”]…” Then, in the critical prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:39, “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed [Gr “proseukhomai”]…” Third, describing the lives of the early disciples, they “…continued steadfastly…in prayers [Gr “proseukhomai”].” Finally, in one of the shortest NT verses, Paul exhorts the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray [Gr “proseukhomai”] without ceasing.”
5. Synthesis And Conclusion
Given this brief survey of critical turning points in biblical narratives, the typical terms for prayer clearly give the connotation of decisive moments. The inclusion of the words Hb “palal” and Gr “proseukhomai” are frequently used to indicate God is about to enter the story in a tangible way, and change the course of history apart from human intervention. This is the case for Jonah 2:1, as well, as Jonah prays, repents, and God causes the fish to vomit him onto the seashore.
Work with a Paragraph
When approaching a text, you must remember that the most basic complete thought is the paragraph. A phrase or sentence gives some basic thoughts, but the most basic complete thought is the paragraph. This is because the context of a verse or phrase directly influences what it means. This is especially true when determining the morality of an action. For example, the phrase, “We killed him,” can mean very different things. Is this a man framed for a crime he did not commit, being put to death by a corrupt executioner? Or is this the report of a military coup, overthrowing a national dictator? Or, perhaps, this is the victory cry of friends playing a video game. Context, which is found in the surrounding sentences, holds critical information on the meaning of the text.
This verse is no different. In this verse, Jonah cries out to God from the belly of the fish. His cry is a prayer. The question becomes, then, what kind of prayer is this? To understand, one must read the surrounding sentences. Given what has happened so far, is this a prayer of deliverance? Perhaps a prayer of repentance? A prayer of vindication against the great fish? A prayer of destruction on the sailors who threw him into the sea? Or a prayer for God to receive his spirit? The meaning and moral weight of the prayer comes from the surrounding context. Without it, you can not understand what Jonah seeks to accomplish. Looking at the following verses, which will be covered next, this is a prayer of repentance, where Jonah changes his mind and resolves to follow God.
Related Articles
- Hebrew vocab "Elohaiv"; Jonah 2:1 verse study; Jonah walkthrough
- Jonah 2:1 Critical Comparison
- Jonah 1:4 Critical Comparison
- Jonah 1:5 Critical Comparison
- Does God Hear My Prayers?
- BIB235; Rev 8; Prayers; Greek and Codex Sinaiticus
- Ruach vs Pneuma: Spirit, Breath, and Wind in the Hebrew Bible, LXX, and New Testament
- Genesis 1:1 – Septuagint
- Genesis 1:1 – Septuagint
- Campaign through Old Testament History
- Campaign through Old Testament Prophecy
Sources
Related Articles
- Hebrew vocab "Elohaiv"; Jonah 2:1 verse study; Jonah walkthrough
- Jonah 2:1 Critical Comparison
- Campaign through Old Testament History
- Campaign through Old Testament Prophecy
- Use of “Face of the Lord” in OT, LXX, Targums, and NT
- “Tempest” in OT, NT, and LXX
- Ruach vs Pneuma: Spirit, Breath, and Wind in the Hebrew Bible, LXX, and New Testament
Sources
Related Articles
- Hebrew vocab "Elohaiv"; Jonah 2:1 verse study; Jonah walkthrough
- Jonah 2:1 Critical Comparison
- Ruach vs Pneuma: Spirit, Breath, and Wind in the Hebrew Bible, LXX, and New Testament
- α – Anger; Daily Greek Septuagint + Latin Vulgate + Coptic
- God SPOKE; Daily Hebrew, Greek Septuagint, Aramaic Targum (Onkelos)
- God SPOKE; Daily Hebrew, Greek Septuagint, Aramaic Targum (Onkelos)
- Seir; Daily Aramaic Targum (Onkelos)
