Jonah 1:3

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.

But Jonah {H3124} rose up {H6965} to flee {H1272} unto Tarshish {H8659} from the presence {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}, and went down {H3381} to Joppa {H3305}; and he found {H4672} a ship {H591} going {H935} to Tarshish {H8659}: so he paid {H5414} the fare {H7939} thereof, and went down {H3381} into it, to go {H935} with them unto Tarshish {H8659} from the presence {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}.

But Yonah, in order to get away from ADONAI, prepared to escape to Tarshish. He went down to Yafo, found a ship headed for Tarshish, paid the fare and went aboard, intending to travel with them to Tarshish and get away from ADONAI.

Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and 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 Jehovah.

Commentary

Jonah 1:3 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Jonah, immediately following God's clear command to the prophet in Jonah 1:2 to go to Nineveh. Instead of obeying, Jonah deliberately chooses to flee in the opposite direction, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow.

Context

This verse describes Jonah's direct act of defiance. God had called him to preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, Israel's formidable enemy. Rather than fulfilling this difficult and perhaps undesirable mission, Jonah "rose up to flee unto Tarshish." Joppa was a well-known port city on the Mediterranean coast, from which ships departed for various destinations. Tarshish was a distant land, likely in the far west (possibly modern-day Spain), representing the extreme edge of the known world at the time. By seeking to go to Tarshish, Jonah was attempting to put as much geographical and spiritual distance as possible between himself and God's specific assignment, illustrating his profound rebellion against the divine will.

Key Themes

  • Rebellion and Disobedience: The verse plainly shows Jonah's active refusal to obey God's command. His actions are a direct counterpoint to God's directive, highlighting a deep-seated resistance to his prophetic calling.
  • The Futility of Fleeing God's Presence: The phrase "from the presence of the LORD" is repeated twice, emphasizing Jonah's misguided belief that he could escape God's reach or oversight. This narrative powerfully demonstrates that God is omnipresent and His purposes cannot be thwarted by human will.
  • Human Initiative vs. Divine Sovereignty: Jonah takes decisive action – rising, going down, finding a ship, paying fare – all to avoid God. Yet, the subsequent chapters reveal that God remains sovereign, using even Jonah's flight to accomplish His ultimate plan.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "from the presence of the LORD" (Hebrew: mippene Yahweh) is significant. While literally meaning "from the face of Yahweh," it doesn't imply Jonah thought God was not omnipresent. Instead, it signifies his attempt to escape God's immediate sphere of authority, His specific command, or the active duty of his prophetic office. It reflects a desire to avoid the direct responsibility and consequences of being in God's service, similar to how Adam and Eve "hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God" in Genesis 3:8 after their disobedience.

Practical Application

Jonah's flight serves as a timeless cautionary tale. We are reminded that attempting to run from God's will or His call on our lives is ultimately futile. God is omnipresent, and His hand reaches everywhere, as beautifully articulated in Psalm 139:7-10, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"

Furthermore, Jonah "paid the fare thereof," indicating that disobedience often comes with a cost, whether financial, emotional, or spiritual. This verse encourages us to examine our own lives: Are there areas where we are attempting to flee from God's guidance or assignments? God's relentless pursuit of Jonah, even in his rebellion, underscores His faithfulness and desire for our obedience, which ultimately leads to our true purpose and peace.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 139:7

    ¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

  • Psalms 139:12

    Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].

  • Joshua 19:46

    And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.

  • Genesis 4:16

    ¶ And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

  • Acts 9:36

    ¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

  • Acts 9:43

    And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

  • Jonah 4:2

    And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
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