Jonah 1:1-3

Jonah’s commission and disobedience, Jonah 1:1-3.

Unlike the majority of the other Minor Prophets, the Book of Jonah has no formal title, Jonah 1:1 being an integral part of the narrative (compare Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 1:1).

Now Literally, And. The prophecy of Ezekiel and several of the historical books begin in the same manner. The occurrence of this “and” is one reason why the Book of Jonah has been considered an extract from a larger book (see p. 331), the beginning of which is omitted. The exact force of “and” is not clear, but the above conclusion is warranted no more in this case than it would be in the case of Ezekiel.

Word of Jehovah See on Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1.

Came How, is not stated.

Jonah the son of Amittai See p. 311. 2. The commission.

Nineveh One of the chief cities of the Assyrian empire. It is mentioned as early as 2700 B.C. in the inscriptions of Gudea of Lagas. So far as we know, it became a royal residence about 1100 B.C., and it continued to be such until the reign of Ashur-nasir-pal (about 880 B.C.), when Calah was rebuilt. It resumed its chief place under Sennacherib (705-681), and for nearly a century its glory and magnificence continued, until it was destroyed in 607-606 (compare the prophecy of Nahum). Its ruins consist chiefly of two great mounds, Kouyunjik and Nebi Yunus, on the eastern shore of the Tigris, north of the greater Zab, opposite the modern town of Mosul.

Great In size and power (see on Jonah 3:3; compare Jonah 3:2; Jonah 4:11).

Cry against Implies that his message is to be one of judgment (chapters 3, 4).

Their wickedness is come up before me Their iniquity is so great that tidings of it have reached even to heaven, the dwelling place of Jehovah (Genesis 18:21; 1 Samuel 5:12). He can endure it no longer.