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Tag Archives: Jonah
The Syntax of Complaint and the Theological Significance of Divine Mercy in Jonah 4:2
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
The Use of Poetic Imagery in Jonah 2:5
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