Tag Archives: Jonah

The Syntax of Complaint and the Theological Significance of Divine Mercy in Jonah 4:2

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jonah 4:2 Jonah 4:2 records Jonah’s prayer of frustration, in which he expresses his displeasure with God’s mercy toward Nineveh. This verse contains a structured complaint, using rhetorical questions, causal clauses, and divine attributes to highlight Jonah’s expectations and disappointment. The syntax of this verse follows a standard prophetic lament format, with: A direct appeal to YHWH (וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה, “And he prayed to YHWH”). A rhetorical question expressing frustration (הֲלֹוא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗י, “Is this not what I said?”). A causal clause explaining Jonah’s reasoning (כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ אֵֽל־חַנּ֣וּן וְרַח֔וּם, “For I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God”).… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Syntax of Complaint and the Theological Significance of Divine Mercy in Jonah 4:2

The Use of Poetic Imagery in Jonah 2:5

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Jonah 2:5 in Hebrew אֲפָפ֤וּנִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּהֹ֖ום יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי ס֖וּף חָב֥וּשׁ לְרֹאשִֽׁי׃ Introduction to Jonah’s Prayer Jonah 2:5 is part of Jonah’s prayer from within the fish, using vivid poetic imagery to describe his distress. The verse states: אֲפָפ֤וּנִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ – “The waters surrounded me up to my soul.” תְּהֹ֖ום יְסֹבְבֵ֑נִי – “The deep engulfed me.” ס֖וּף חָב֥וּשׁ לְרֹאשִֽׁי – “Seaweed was wrapped around my head.” These phrases depict Jonah’s near-death experience, emphasizing his entrapment and desperation. Understanding the Poetic Expressions 1.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Use of Poetic Imagery in Jonah 2:5