Jonah 1:1-4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:1

Verse 1 As I have before observed, Jonah seems here indirectly to intimate, (9) that he had been previously called to the office of a teacher; for it is the same as though he had said, that he framed this history as a part of his ordinary function. The word of God then was not for the first time communicated to Jonah, when he was sent to Nineveh; but it pleased God, when he was already a Prophet, to employ him among other nations. It might have been then, that he was sent to Nineveh, that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:2

Verse 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, to that great city. Nineveh is called a great city, and not without reason; for it was in circumference, as heathen writers say, 400 stadia: and we shall see that Jonah was three whole days in going through the squares and streets of the city (11). It hence follows, that it was a very large city, and this all allow. Profane writers call it Ninus, and say that it is a name derived from its founder; for it was Ninus, the son of Betas, who built it. But more correct... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:3

Verse 3 Jonah now relates how he sought hiding-places, that he might withdraw himself from the service of God; not that he deceived himself with such a gross notion, as that he would be no longer under the power of God, after having passed over the sea; but he intended to shun, as it were, the light of the present life, by proceeding to a foreign country. He was, no doubt, not only in a disturbed state of mind, when he formed such a purpose, but was utterly confused. It may be asked, why Jonah... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:4

Verse 4 Jonah declares here how he had been, as it were, by force brought back by the Lord, when he tried to flee away from his presence. He then says that a tempest arose in the sea; but he at the same time tells us, that this tempest did not arise by chance, as ungodly men are wont to say, who ascribe everything that happens to fortune. God, he says, sent a strong wind on the sea. Some give this renderings God raised up, deriving the verb from נטל, nuthel; but others derive it more correctly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1

Now ; or, and . Some have argued from this commencement that the Book of Jonah is a fragment, the continuation of a larger work; but it is a common formulary, linking together revelations and histories, and is continually used in the Old Testament at the beginning of independent works; e.g. Joshua 1:1 ; 1:1 ; 1 Samuel 1:1 ; Esther 1:1 ; Ezekiel 1:1 . Jonah the son of Amittai ( 2 Kings 14:25 ). (See Introduction, § II ) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1-2

Jonah God's messenger. In these words we have important instruction as to God's messengers. I. THEIR CONTINUITY . The first word of this book is the Hebrew conjunction "and:" " And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah." Thus begin other books of the Old Testament. How significant! The Divine messages stand not alone; they are connected with those sent before. So with the Divine messengers. Did the word of the Lord come to Abraham, Moses, Elijah? And also to Jonah! He shows... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1-2

The call of Jonah. We may fairly identify Jonah, the son of Amittai, with the prophet who preached in Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II . (see 2 Kings 14:23-27 ). His name signifies "a Dove," and it well expressed his mournful and brooding temperament. Amittai means "the Truth of God," and it has been wisely said by a great Puritan divine, "I would that truth were every preacher's father." The narrative is exceedingly simple, and the Hebrew remarkably pure; while the lessons... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1-3

§ 1. Jonah is sent to Nineveh to cry against it; but he tries to avoid the mission, and to this end takes ship to Tarshish. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1-3

A despicable deserter. "God looketh on the heart." And none but God can. It is an obscure and tortuous place—"deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Its chaos and darkness, transparent to the Divine Spirit, are impenetrable to any creature's eye. Even the new heart is not all new. Persistent among the grace germs are bacteria of sin, inseparable and morbific. In Jonah this baneful combination is obvious. He neither loved God supremely nor his neighbour as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1-3

Jonah's call and flight. "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying," etc. I. THE MAN . Jonah is introduced without a word of explanation, except (implicitly) that he was a prophet of the Lord. So also Elijah ( 1 Kings 17:1 ). Their previous history is assumed. God's servants are treated as all waiting on him to receive his orders, so that "he says to this one, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh?" This is the true idea of servants;... read more

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