Jonah 1 3

Jonah 1:3 kjv

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 1:3 nkjv

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 1:3 niv

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Jonah 1:3 esv

But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 1:3 nlt

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish.

Jonah 1 verses

Jonah 1 3 Meaning

Jonah chapter 1 verse 3 reveals the prophet Jonah's active and immediate rebellion against God's divine commission. Rather than obeying the command to go to Nineveh, Jonah deliberately chose the opposite direction, heading for Tarshish. This choice was driven by a desire to escape, or at least avoid, what he perceived as the direct sphere of God's command or immediate prophetic presence. His actions, including finding a ship and paying his own fare, demonstrate a determined commitment to his rebellious course, setting in motion a chain of events guided by God's inescapable sovereignty.

Jonah 1 3 Context

Jonah 1:3 immediately follows God's clear and direct command to Jonah in verses 1-2: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." This sets up a profound contrast between divine instruction and human response. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a cruel and oppressive empire that was a bitter enemy of Israel. God's call for Jonah to prophesy against this enemy nation highlights His universal concern for all people, even Israel's foes, and His righteous judgment against wickedness. Historically, Jonah's rebellion is unusual as prophets typically embraced their mission, even if reluctantly or with complaints. The verse introduces the "downward" motif, a key literary and theological element of the book, contrasting God's upward call to action with Jonah's spiritual and physical descent into disobedience and distance from God's presence.

Jonah 1 3 Word analysis

• But Jonah: The word "But" (Vav conjunction) sharply contrasts Jonah's action with God's preceding command. It highlights deliberate defiance rather than hesitation.
• rose up: The Hebrew word is wayyāqom (וַיָּקָם), from the root qum (קוּם), meaning "to rise, to stand up, to get up." While often indicating preparedness for action, here it signifies a decisive and immediate act of disobedience against a divine directive. It shows intent and resolve.
• to flee: The Hebrew word is livrōaḥ (לִבְרֹחַ), from barach (בָּרַח), meaning "to flee, escape, run away." This term implies rapid flight motivated by fear or an urgent desire to avoid a situation, confirming Jonah's intention to actively avoid his commission. It signifies evasion and escape from responsibility.
• unto Tarshish: Tarshish (תַּרְשִׁישָׁה) was a distant port city, traditionally identified with a location in southern Spain (Tartessos), representing the extreme western edge of the known world at the time. Geographically, it was the furthest point in the opposite direction from Nineveh (located to the northeast of Israel), symbolizing Jonah's complete rejection of God's will. It signifies a futile attempt to put as much physical distance as possible between himself and God's calling.
• from the presence of the Lord: The Hebrew phrase is milliphne Adonai (מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה). Liphne (לִפְנֵי) means "before the face of, in the presence of." This is a crucial phrase. While literally referring to God's immediate presence or the sphere of His direct communication/authority (as one might leave the presence of a king), it also powerfully emphasizes Jonah's naive attempt to escape God's omnipresence or control. This phrase is repeated at the end of the verse for rhetorical emphasis, underlining the central theological conflict: a human trying to escape the all-pervading reach and authority of the Creator of the universe. It points to a profound misunderstanding or rejection of God's nature.
• and went down: The Hebrew word is wayyered (וַיֵּרֶד), from yarad (יָרַד), meaning "to go down, descend." This verb initiates a significant "descent" motif in the book: Jonah "goes down" to Joppa, "goes down" into the ship, "goes down" into the hold, and later "goes down" into the belly of the fish. This repeated "downward" movement metaphorically represents his spiritual regression, his descent into disobedience, danger, and eventually, the depths of despair and near death.
• to Joppa: Joppa (יָפוֹ) was a major ancient port city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Jerusalem. It served as a common embarkation point for sea voyages, making it a logical, yet symbolically charged, choice for Jonah's escape. Its very location further reinforces his movement away from his mission.
• and he found a ship: The phrasing "he found" might suggest a coincidental ease in his plan, but within biblical narrative, it can also subtly hint at God's sovereign hand, even over rebellious actions. While Jonah believes he is acting independently, God is orchestrating events to guide (or herd) him.
• going to Tarshish: This specific detail underlines the convenient (for Jonah's rebellious aim) and immediate alignment of circumstances with his disobedient intent.
• so he paid the fare thereof: This act, wayyitten səkārāh (וַיִּתֵּן שְׂכָרָהּ), meaning "and he gave its wages/fare," shows Jonah's active commitment and personal cost involved in his rebellion. He willingly finances his disobedience, illustrating the human investment in escaping God's will. It reveals his earnestness to flee, even if it comes at a personal cost.
• and went down into it: Another instance of wayyered (וַיֵּרֶד), further reinforcing the physical and spiritual descent initiated earlier in the verse. This signifies his complete immersion into his path of disobedience.
• to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord: This final clause recapitulates and intensifies Jonah's motivation. The repetition of "unto Tarshish" and "from the presence of the Lord" serves as a dramatic summary of his futile and defiant objective, highlighting his spiritual blindness concerning God's inescapable omnipresence and unwavering purpose. It acts as an emphatic concluding statement to his act of rebellion.

Jonah 1 3 Bonus section

The seemingly effortless manner in which Jonah finds a ship bound for Tarshish, right at Joppa, immediately after making the decision to flee, might appear as divine favor or uncanny coincidence to some. However, within the overarching narrative, it actually serves to underscore the sovereign control of God, even over Jonah's rebellious choices. It illustrates that even when humanity seeks to run from God's plan, God remains the orchestrator, subtly guiding circumstances to ensure His ultimate purpose is fulfilled, albeit in ways that may bring necessary chastening upon His disobedient servant. This reflects God's unyielding commitment to His word and mission, highlighting His long-suffering and determination to draw humanity into His will.

Jonah 1 3 Commentary

Jonah 1:3 is the pivotal point of the narrative, establishing the central conflict between divine will and human rebellion. It encapsulates Jonah's dramatic choice to actively disobey God's specific call to Nineveh. His immediate response is not negotiation or questioning, but flight to the opposite end of the known world, indicating a profound and deep-seated aversion to the prophetic mission, likely fueled by his nationalistic prejudice and unwillingness for God to show mercy to Israel's enemies.

The repeated motif of "going down" serves as a potent spiritual metaphor for Jonah's descent into rebellion and increasing isolation from God. It begins physically (to Joppa, into the ship, into the ship's hold) and climaxes spiritually in the depths of the sea. His attempt to flee "from the presence of the Lord" underscores a profound theological irony, revealing a limited human understanding of God's omnipresence and sovereignty. While Jonah attempts to escape the specific commission, his actions are a defiant challenge to God's universal authority. However, the narrative consistently demonstrates the futility of such an escape, as God's sovereignty extends over all creation, including the natural elements, and ultimately, even the reluctant prophet. This verse sets the stage for a powerful display of God's patience, control, and redemptive purpose, even in the face of flagrant disobedience, highlighting that God will achieve His purposes through His chosen vessels, often despite their will rather than because of it.