Jonah 1:3

Jonah 1:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version 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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And Jonah got up to go in flight to Tarshish, away from the Lord; and he went down to Joppa, and saw there a ship going to Tarshish: so he gave them the price of the journey and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, away from the Lord.

Free Bible Version FBV

But Jonah left and ran away to Tarshish to get away from the Lord. He went to Joppa where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board to sail to Tarshish in order to get away from the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But Ionah rose vp to flee into Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went downe to Iapho: and he founde a ship going to Tarshish: so he payed the fare thereof, and went downe into it, that he might go with them vnto Tarshish, from the presence of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Jonah riseth to flee to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah, and goeth down [to] Joppa, and findeth a ship going [to] Tarshish, and he giveth its fare, and goeth down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah.

World English Bible WEB

But Jonah rose up 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 its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

But Jonah arose to flee to 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 of it, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Jonas rose up to flee into Tharsis from the face of the Lord, and he went down to Joppe, and found a ship going to Tharsis: and he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tharsis from the face of the Lord.

Translation for Translators T4T

But instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah went in the direction opposite to where Yahweh told him to go. He went down to Joppa city. There he bought a ticket to travel on a ship that was going to Tarshish city, in order to avoid doing what Yahweh told him to do. He got on the ship, and then went down to a lower deck, lay down, and went to sleep.

Plain English Version PEV

But Jonah didn’t listen to God. Instead, he ran away from God. He went down to the town called Joppa. He wanted to get on a ship there, and go to the town called Tarshish. Tarshish is a long way away from Nineveh.Jonah ran away from God and got on a ship In Joppa, Jonah found a ship that was going to Tarshish, so he paid some money to the ship-men so he can go on that ship. Then he got on the ship to go to Tarshish with them. Jonah was running away from God.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jonah 1:3

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jonah 1:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִ/בְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ/ה מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה וַ/יֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ וַ/יִּמְצָ֥א אָנִיָּ֣ה בָּאָ֣ה תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ וַ/יִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜/הּ וַ/יֵּ֤רֶד בָּ/הּ֙ לָ/ב֤וֹא עִמָּ/הֶם֙ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ/ה מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה

וַ/יָּ֤קָם qûwm H6965 -kamai Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

יוֹנָה֙ Yôwnâh H3124 Jonah N-proper

לִ/בְרֹ֣חַ bârach H1272 to flee Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ/ה Tarshîysh H8659 Tarshish N-proper | Suff

מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 face Prep | Prep | N-cp

יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

וַ/יֵּ֨רֶד yârad H3381 to go down Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

יָפ֜וֹ Yâphôw H3305 Joppa N-proper

וַ/יִּמְצָ֥א mâtsâʼ H4672 to find Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אָנִיָּ֣ה ʼŏnîyâh H591 fleet N-fs

בָּאָ֣ה bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Qal

תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ Tarshîysh H8659 Tarshish N-proper

וַ/יִּתֵּ֨ן nâthan H5414 to give Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

שְׂכָרָ֜/הּ sâkâr H7939 wages N-ms | Suff

וַ/יֵּ֤רֶד yârad H3381 to go down Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

בָּ/הּ֙ Prep | Suff

לָ/ב֤וֹא bôwʼ H935 Lebo Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

עִמָּ/הֶם֙ ʻim H5973 with Prep | Suff

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ/ה Tarshîysh H8659 Tarshish N-proper | Suff

מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 face Prep | Prep | N-cp

יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jonah 1:3

וַ/יָּ֤קָם qûwm H6965 "-kamai" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.

Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.

יוֹנָה֙ Yôwnâh H3124 "Jonah" N-proper

Jonah was a prophet in the Bible who lived during the Divided Monarchy, mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25. He was the son of Amittai and prophesied to Nineveh. His name means 'dove'.

Definition: A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.14.25; son of: Amittai (H0573) Also named: Iōnas (Ἰωνᾶς "Jonah" G2495H) § Jonah = "dove" son of Amittai and a native of Gath-hepher; 5th of the minor prophets who prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II and whom God sent also to prophecy to Nineveh

Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Jonah. See also: 2 Kings 14:25; Jonah 2:11; Jonah 4:9.

לִ/בְרֹ֣חַ bârach H1272 "to flee" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

To flee means to run away quickly, as seen in the Bible when people escaped from danger or pursued others, like in the story of David and Absalom.

Definition: 1) to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, pass through 1a2) to flee 1a3) to hasten, come quickly 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to pass through 1b2) to cause to flee, put to flight 1b3) to drive away

Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot. See also: Genesis 16:6; 1 Kings 11:17; Psalms 3:1.

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ/ה Tarshîysh H8659 "Tarshish" N-proper | Suff

Tarshish was a place on the Mediterranean, also the name of a Persian and an Israelite, and a term for a merchant vessel, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:10.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.10; son of: Bilhan (H1092H); brother of: Jeush (H3266H), Benjamin (H1144H), Ehud (H0164H), Chenaanah (H3668H), Zethan (H2133) and Ahishahar (H0300) § Tarshish or Tharshish = "yellow jasper" 1) son of Javan 2) a Benjamite, son of Bilhan 3) one of the wise men close to king Ahasuerus of Persia 4) a city of the Phoenicians in a distant part of the Mediterranean Sea to which the prophet Jonah was trying to flee 1a) perhaps in Cyprus or Spain 5) a city somewhere near and accessible to the Red Sea to which ships constructed at Ezion-geber on the Elanitic Gulf on the Red Sea were to sail

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Tarshish, Tharshish. See also: Genesis 10:4; Isaiah 23:1; Psalms 48:8.

מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | Prep | N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

וַ/יֵּ֨רֶד yârad H3381 "to go down" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.

Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down

Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.

יָפ֜וֹ Yâphôw H3305 "Joppa" N-proper

Joppa is a town on the southwest coast of Palestine, known for being a beautiful place. It became a key port during King Solomon's reign, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 2:16. The town played a significant role in the Bible.

Definition: Joppa or Japho = "beautiful" a town on the southwest coast of Palestine in the territory of Dan; became primary port of Jerusalem during reign of Solomon Also named: Ioppē (Ἰόππη "Joppa" G2445)

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Japha, Joppa. See also: Joshua 19:46; Ezra 3:7; Jonah 1:3.

וַ/יִּמְצָ֥א mâtsâʼ H4672 "to find" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)

Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.

אָנִיָּ֣ה ʼŏnîyâh H591 "fleet" N-fs

The Hebrew word for ship or fleet is used in the Bible to describe a vessel that sails on the water. It appears in Numbers 24:24 and Proverbs 30:19, often referring to the men who sail on these ships, known as seamen.

Definition: 1) ship 1a) men of ships, seamen

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: ship(-men). See also: Genesis 49:13; Proverbs 30:19; Psalms 48:8.

בָּאָ֣ה bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Qal

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ Tarshîysh H8659 "Tarshish" N-proper

Tarshish was a place on the Mediterranean, also the name of a Persian and an Israelite, and a term for a merchant vessel, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:10.

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Tarshish, Tharshish. See also: Genesis 10:4; Isaiah 23:1; Psalms 48:8.

וַ/יִּתֵּ֨ן nâthan H5414 "to give" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

שְׂכָרָ֜/הּ sâkâr H7939 "wages" N-ms | Suff

Payment for work or services, like the wages paid to the laborers in Matthew 20:8. This word encompasses various forms of compensation, including salary, fare, or maintenance. It is about receiving payment for something.

Definition: 1) hire, wages 1a) wages 1b) reward, pay 1c) fare, fee, passage-money

Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: hire, price, reward(-ed), wages, worth. See also: Genesis 15:1; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalms 127:3.

וַ/יֵּ֤רֶד yârad H3381 "to go down" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.

בָּ/הּ֙ "" Prep | Suff

לָ/ב֤וֹא bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

עִמָּ/הֶם֙ ʻim H5973 "with" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.

Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as

Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ/ה Tarshîysh H8659 "Tarshish" N-proper | Suff

Tarshish was a place on the Mediterranean, also the name of a Persian and an Israelite, and a term for a merchant vessel, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:10.

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Tarshish, Tharshish. See also: Genesis 10:4; Isaiah 23:1; Psalms 48:8.

מִ/לִּ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | Prep | N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

Study Notes — Jonah 1:3

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Context — Jonah Flees from the LORD

1Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 2“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.”

3Jonah, 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.

4Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart. 5The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 139:7–12	Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.
2	Genesis 4:16	So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
3	Joshua 19:46	Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, including the territory across from Joppa.
4	2 Thessalonians 1:9	They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,
5	Acts 9:36	In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
6	Acts 9:43	And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
7	1 Kings 19:3	And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,
8	Isaiah 23:6	Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coastland!
9	Jonah 4:2	So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster.
10	Isaiah 23:1	This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

Jonah 1:3 Summary

[Jonah tried to run away from God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh, but God is always with us, no matter where we go. This is seen in Jonah 1:3, where Jonah tries to flee to Tarshish, but God is still present with him. As Psalm 139:7-10 says, we can't escape God's presence, and as Matthew 28:20 says, Jesus is always with us, even to the end of the age. We can learn from Jonah's mistake by trusting in God's love and guidance, and obeying His commands, even when it's hard.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jonah try to flee from the presence of the Lord?

Jonah tried to flee because he was afraid of the task God had given him, to preach against the wicked city of Nineveh, as seen in Jonah 1:2. This fear led him to disobey God's command and try to escape His presence, which is not possible according to Psalm 139:7-10.

Where is Tarshish and why did Jonah choose to go there?

Tarshish was a city far from Nineveh, and Jonah chose to go there because it was in the opposite direction of his assigned task, as seen in Jonah 1:3. He wanted to get as far away as possible from God's presence and the responsibility God had given him, similar to how Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in Genesis 3:8-10.

What can we learn from Jonah's actions in this verse?

We can learn that trying to flee from God's presence or disobey His commands is futile, as seen in Jonah 1:3 and Psalm 139:7-10. Instead, we should trust in God's sovereignty and obey His will, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable, as Jesus taught in Matthew 16:24-25.

How does Jonah's story relate to our own lives?

Jonah's story teaches us that God is always with us, even when we try to run from Him, as seen in Jonah 1:3 and Hebrews 13:5. We can apply this lesson by being honest with God about our fears and doubts, and trusting in His love and guidance, as encouraged in 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 3:5-6.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I try to flee from God's presence or disobey His commands in my own life?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty and obey His will, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable?
What are some fears or doubts that I need to be honest with God about, and how can I trust in His love and guidance?
In what ways can I apply the lesson of Jonah's story to my own life, and how can I share this lesson with others?

Gill's Exposition on Jonah 1:3

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord,.... He was not obedient to the heavenly vision; he rose up, but not to go to Nineveh, but to Tarshish, the reverse of it; to the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jonah 1:3

But, Heb. And. Jonah rose up: he was commanded to arise, , so here Jonah did, but it was to run from his business, not to do it; it was a rising against God. To flee: whatever was the cause which moved Jonah to do this, it is strange that he should fall into a fixed opinion that he might, and a fixed resolution that he would, thus flee from his God and from his duty. Unto Tarshish; to sea, as some, but this seemeth too rambling a humour: to Cilicia, say others, and particularly to Tarsus, no mean city of Cilicia, ; others say it was Tunis or Carthage in Africa, to which Jonah minded to flee; either of these carry such probability with them, that we will not determine for our reader. From the presence of the Lord: I cannot suppose that Jonah dreamed of fleeing from the omnipresence of God, he knew how David described this, , and natural reason told him he could never flee from this; but this presence of God is to be interpreted of the place where God usually had showed himself present by revealing his word and will to his prophets, who are servants to the Lord, and as such did stand before the Lord ready to receive his commands: now this command to Jonah being displeasing to him, and yet whilst he was in his own country, the valley of vision, he is still put upon the work, now he resolves to shift off the work by shifting place; perhaps he might think God would not put him upon it when he was gotten into a strange and remote country, where were no prophets, nor prophetic impulses. Joppa; a well-known haven on the-Mediterranean, now called Jaffa, anciently Japho, . Going; bound for, and ready to set sail for, the place he designed. Tarshish; Carthage or Tunis, or Tarsus in Cilicia. Paid the fare; forthwith agreed. with the master of the ship, and, though unusual, paid presently, staid not till he came to the port designed. Went down into it; immediately went a ship-board, and in a melancholy, discomposed humour gets into a cabin, or under deck, to go with them; waiting the time when they should go, that he might be sure to go with them. From the presence of the Lord: see above.

Trapp's Commentary on Jonah 1:3

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.Ver. 3. But Jonah rose up to flee, &c.] i.e. He made haste (more haste than good speed) to disobey God. Homo est inversus decalogus. The natural man standeth across to the will of God; "being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate," Titus 1:16. Jonah was a spiritual man, and should have discerned all things, 1 Corinthians 2:15. But this spiritual man was mad, Hosea 9:7 (as they that are cured of a frenzy will yet have their freaks and frantic tricks sometimes), he cast off the yoke, and turned, for the time, renagade from the Lord; who met him at half turn, and brought him back again, though by weeping cross. Of the blackbird’ s dung is made the lime whereby he is taken; so here. They that would excuse Jonah, and say that he sinned not, Dei scriptis iniuriam faciunt, saith Luther, they wrong the Scriptures. The best have their infirmities; as the snow-like swan hath black legs; and as no pomegranate is without some rotten grains. David saw such volumes of corruptions, and so many erratas in all that he did, that he cries out, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults," Psalms 19:12. To flee unto Tarshish] Tarsus, in Cilicia, St Paul’ s country, Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3, rather than the city Tunis, in Africa, as Vatablus will have it, or the East Indies, as others. Tarshish sometimes signifieth the main ocean, as Psalms 48:7 (whence some take it here for the sea), but that may be by a metonymy of the adjunct; because Tarsus stood upon the ocean shore, and was a fit haven whence to hoist up sail into various countries. From the presence of the Lord] Ab ante Domini, from the special and spiritual presence of God, wherein he had hitherto stood and ministered. For from God’ s general presence, whereby he filleth all places, and is "not far from any one of us," Acts 17:27 (not so far, surely, as the bark is from the tree, the skin from the flesh, or the flesh from the bones), Jonah knew he could not flee. Blind nature saw, and could say, -- “ quascunque accesseris eras, Sub Iove semper eris. ” -- God is a circle, said Empedocles, whose centre is everywhere, whose circumference is nowhere. Why the prophet fled many causes are assigned by interpreters: as Amor patriae, timer humanus, his fear of the Ninevites, his love to his Israelites, his conceit that it would be to little purpose to preach to heathens, since he had prevailed so little at home.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jonah 1:3

(3) But Jonah rose up to flee.—The motive of the prophet’s flight is given by himself (Jonah 4:2). He foresaw the repentance of the city, and the mercy which would be displayed towards it, and was either jealous of his prophetic reputation, or had a patriotic dislike of becoming a messenger of good to a heathen foe so formidable to his own country. Tarshish.—This can hardly be any other than Tartessus, an ancient Phœnician colony on the river Guadalquivir, in the south-west of Spain. (See Genesis 10:4; 1 Chronicles 1:7.) A profound moral lesson lies in the choice of this refuge by Jonah. A man who tries to escape from a clearly-recognised duty—especially if he can at the time supply conscience with a plausible excuse—is in danger of falling all the lower, in proportion as his position was high. Jonah, commanded to go to Nineveh, in the far north-east, instantly tries to flee to the then farthermost west. Often between the saintly height and an abyss of sin there is no middle resting-point. The man with the highest ideal, when unfaithful to it, is apt to sink lower than the ordinary mortal. From the presence of the Lord.—Rather, from before the face of Jehovah. The words may imply (1) the belief in a possibility of hiding from the sight of God (as in Genesis 3:8), a belief which, as we gather from the insistence on its opposite in Psalms 139, lingered late in the popular conception; (2) a renunciation of the prophetic office. (Comp. Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Kings 17:1); (3) Flight from the Holy Land, where the Divine presence was understood to be especially manifested. Commentators have generally rejected the first of these as implying ignorance unworthy of a prophet; but, on embarking, Jonah went below, as if still more securely to hide, and used the same expression to the mariners, who would certainly take it in its literal and popular sense. Joppa.—Heb., Yâpho; now Jaffa, the port of Jerusalem. (See Joshua 19:46; 2 Chronicles 2:16.) He found a ship.—Probably a Phœnician vessel trading between Egypt and Spain, and accustomed to touch at Joppa.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jonah 1:3

Verse 3. To flee unto Tarshish] Some say Tartessus, in Spain, near the straits of Gibralter, others, Tarsus, in Cilicia; and others, Taprobana, or the island of Ceylon, formerly called Taprobah; and Tabrobavagh in Sanscrit, to the present day. And went down to Joppa] This place is celebrated as that where Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus, was chained to a rock, and exposed to be devoured by a sea-monster, from which she was delivered by the valour of Perseus. It is the nearest port to Jerusalem on that side of the Mediterranean. And he found a ship] The Phoenicians carried on a considerable trade with Tartessus, Ezekiel 27:12; and it was probably in one of their ships that Jonah embarked. He paid the fare thereof] He paid for his passage. This shows that there was traffic between the two places, and that each passenger paid a stated fare. From the presence of the Lord.] He considered that God was peculiarly resident in Judea; and if he got out of that land, the Lord would most probably appoint another prophet to carry the message; for Jonah appears to have considered the enterprise as difficult and dangerous, and therefore wished to avoid it.

Cambridge Bible on Jonah 1:3

3. Tarshish] Probably Tartessus, an ancient mercantile city of the Phœnicians, in the S. of Spain, of which the site is supposed to have been “between the two arms by which the Guadalquivir flowed into the sea.” See Smith’s Bib. Dict. Art. Tarshish. “God bid him go to Nineveh, which lay North-East from his home, and he instantly set himself to flee to the then furthermost West.”—Pusey. from the presence of the Lord] This may mean from standing before the Lord or being in His presence, as His servant or minister (Deuteronomy 10:8, 1 Kings 17:1, Matthew 18:10, Luke 1:19. See Dr Pusey, Commentary on Jonah, p. 247, note d.); i. e. he renounced his office of prophet rather than obey so unwelcome a command. It may, however, only refer to that special presence of God in the Holy Land, which all Jews recognised. Either view is compatible with a belief on the part of Jonah in the omnipresence of God (Psalms 139). It is said of Cain (Genesis 4:16) that he “went out from the presence of the Lord” (and the Heb. phrase is the same as here), when he forfeited the favourable regard, together possibly with some local manifestation of the presence of the Almighty. The reason of Jonah’s disobedience is given by himself, ch. Jonah 4:2. Knowing well the lovingkindness of God, he anticipated that He would spare the Ninevites on their repentance, and he could not bring himself to be the messenger of mercy to heathen, much less to heathen who (as the Assyrian inscriptions state) had already made war against his own people, and who as he may have known were destined to be their conquerors. See the statements of his probable contemporary, Hosea 9:3; Hosea 11:5. Joppa] Now Jaffa, the well-known port of Palestine on the Mediterranean. It was 50 miles from Gath-hepher. “Jaffa is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was given to Dan (?), in the distribution of the land by Joshua, and it has been known to history ever since. It owes its existence to the low ledge of rocks, which extends into the sea from the extremity of the little cape on which the city stands, and forms a small harbour. Insignificant as it is and insecure, yet there being no other in all this coast, it was sufficient to cause a city to spring up around it even in the earliest times, and to sustain its life through numberless changes of dynasties, races and religions, down to the present hour. It was in fact the only harbour of any notoriety possessed by the Jews throughout the greater part of their national existence. To it the timber for both the temples of Jerusalem was brought from Lebanon; and no doubt a lucrative trade in cedar and pine was always carried on through it with the nations who had possession of the forests of Lebanon.

Barnes' Notes on Jonah 1:3

But (And) Jonah rose up to flee ... from the presence of the Lord - literally “from being before the Lord.” Jonah knew well, that man could not escape from the presence of God, whom he knew as the

Whedon's Commentary on Jonah 1:3

3. Jonah proceeds on his journey, but in the opposite direction.

Sermons on Jonah 1:3

	Sermon	Description
	The Call of God by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God and fulfilling our missionary responsibilities. He highlights that living in a global village mea
	When Jesus Lays His Hands on You by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher expresses his desire for God to raise up young men and women in the congregation to become missionaries, pastors, and evangelists. He emphasizes the im
	Sin Immeasurable by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the sinful nature of humanity and the extent of our guilt. He uses the analogy of a heated bar of iron being struck by hammers, with the spa
	His Manifest Presence - Part 2 by Walter Beuttler	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a personal encounter with God. He highlights that while acquiring knowledge is valuable, it is our personal relation
	The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 2 by Dan Biser	This sermon emphasizes the consequences of improper responses to God's instructions and calls for repentance, confession, and proper alignment with God's will. It highlights the im
	The First Open-Air Sermon by Gawin Kirkham	Gawin Kirkham preaches on the searching question asked by God in Genesis 3:9, 'Where art thou?' highlighting how man has been hiding from God out of fear since Adam and Eve's time
	Questions/answers About God by James Blaine Chapman	James Blaine Chapman delves into deep theological questions about the nature of God's presence, the fear of falling into the hands of the living God, the concept of seeing God, the