Jonah 1 1

Jonah 1:1 kjv

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Jonah 1:1 nkjv

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Jonah 1:1 niv

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:

Jonah 1:1 esv

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Jonah 1:1 nlt

The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:

Jonah 1 verses

Jonah 1 1 Meaning

Jonah chapter 1 verse 1 introduces the book by stating the divine origin of the message received by the prophet Jonah. It highlights God's initiative in communicating His word directly to a specific individual, Jonah, son of Amittai, setting the stage for the unique narrative that follows. This verse establishes the authoritative basis for the ensuing prophetic message and action.

Jonah 1 1 Context

Jonah 1:1 serves as the crucial opening verse to the entire book, establishing the divine mandate behind the ensuing narrative. It immediately signals that the events to follow are initiated by God's direct communication to a recognized prophet. This introduction connects the Book of Jonah to the tradition of other prophetic books, where divine instruction often inaugurates a prophet's ministry.

Historically, Jonah is identified as a prophet from Gath Hepher in Zebulun, who ministered during the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC) in the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kgs 14:25). This was a period of restored political boundaries and material prosperity for Israel, yet marked by significant spiritual decay and a looming threat from the Assyrian Empire, whose capital was Nineveh. God's word to Jonah, then, comes against this backdrop, not primarily for Israel but for its fearsome oppressor, setting the stage for the prophet's unique dilemma and disobedience. The call to go to Nineveh, an enemy city, was highly contentious for an Israelite prophet.

Jonah 1 1 Word analysis

• Now: The Hebrew term וַיְהִי (vayhi) typically introduces a new development or event in a narrative. It marks the commencement of a significant action initiated by God, not merely a natural occurrence. It immediately plunges the reader into the story.

• the word of: The Hebrew דְּבַר (davar) signifies more than just spoken words. It denotes a powerful, effective decree, command, or message from God. God's davar is dynamic and brings things into being (Gen 1:3), carries authority, and necessitates action. It is God's active engagement.

• the LORD: The Hebrew יְהוָה (YHWH), the Tetragrammaton, is God's personal covenant name. This sacred name emphasizes God's self-existent nature, His faithfulness, and His sovereign relationship with His people. It distinguishes Him as the God of Israel who intervenes personally in history.

• came to: The Hebrew preposition אֶל (el) indicates direction or motion "to" or "unto." It denotes a direct, purposeful encounter or address, highlighting the intentionality of God's communication with Jonah.

• Jonah: The Hebrew יוֹנָה (Yonah) means "dove." This name, ironically, stands in stark contrast to Jonah's rebellious and often fierce temperament throughout the book, as a dove typically symbolizes peace, purity, or meekness.

• the son of: The Hebrew בֶן (ben) denotes lineage and paternity. It firmly places Jonah within a family line and a specific historical context.

• Amittai: The Hebrew אֲמִתַּי (Amittai) means "my truth" or "truthful." While a reference to his father, this name further highlights the irony when juxtaposed with Jonah's reluctance and struggle with divine truth.

• saying: The Hebrew לֵאמֹר (lemor) is a common introductory formula for direct speech in biblical narratives. It indicates that the exact content of God's divine instruction is about to be revealed, emphasizing the authoritative and specific nature of the subsequent command.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Now the word of the LORD came: This phrase immediately establishes God's initiative and authority. It declares that the message that follows is not a human fabrication but a direct divine revelation, underscoring the sovereignty and active presence of the God of Israel. It sets the stage for a theocentric narrative.
• to Jonah the son of Amittai: This identifies the specific human recipient of the divine message. It roots the supernatural event in a historical individual known to the original audience (cf. 2 Kgs 14:25), thereby lending credibility and historical grounding to the narrative, though it is a unique prophetic book in its focus on the prophet's journey rather than just his oracles.
• saying: This simple yet crucial word indicates that the content of the divine message, the very purpose of the revelation, will immediately follow. It marks the transition from introduction to the substance of the divine command that sets the plot in motion.

Jonah 1 1 Bonus section

The consistent use of "the word of the LORD came" as an opening phrase in many prophetic books underscores the Bible's insistence on divine authorship and inspiration of its messages. This stylistic choice affirms that the prophetic tradition is rooted in God's direct intervention, rather than human wisdom or speculation. In Jonah's case, this specific, divinely initiated address contrasts sharply with Jonah's immediate and determined disobedience in the subsequent verses, highlighting the profound tension between God's will and human autonomy right from the outset of the story. Unlike many prophetic books that immediately launch into pronouncements, Jonah begins with God's directive to the prophet, marking the narrative's distinct focus on the prophet's personal journey of obedience and understanding of God's character.

Jonah 1 1 Commentary

Jonah 1:1 is the bedrock upon which the entire Book of Jonah rests. It establishes unequivocally that the prophet Jonah's mission originated from a divine imperative, not from his own inclination or agenda. The emphatic declaration "the word of the LORD came" highlights God's active and personal engagement in human history, specifically through chosen individuals. The use of God's covenant name, YHWH, reinforces His faithfulness and sovereignty. The irony embedded in Jonah's name ("dove") set against the likely meaning of his father's name "truthful" or "my truth," juxtaposed with Jonah's rebellious character, hints at the spiritual tension central to the book. This concise opening primes the reader for a dramatic account of divine command, human resistance, and ultimately, God's relentless mercy.