2
Jonah thanks Yahweh for rescuing him
1  While Jonah was inside the huge fish, he prayed to Yahweh God, whom he worshiped. This is what Jonah reported later:*Thisis what Jonah reported later: * OR (omit)
2  Jonah said, "Yahweh, when I was greatly distressed there in the fish belly, I prayed to you, and you heard what I prayed. When I was about to descend way down into the place where dead people go, you heard me when I called out for you to help/save me. Jonahsaid OR Jonah prayed Jonahsaid Jonah’s prayer is a Hebrew poem or song. If you want to create a poem in your language from the content of Jonah’s prayer, or sing Jonah’s song in your language, that would be very appropriate aboutto descend way down into the place where dead people go OR when I almost died OR when I was as good as dead 3  You threw me down into the deep water, down to the sea's bottom. The sea currents swirled around me, and the huge waves crashed above me. Youthrew me OR You caused men to throw me thehuge waves crashed above me OR You buried me under crashing waves 4  Then I thought/said, 'Although You have banished me, Yet I will go to see your holy temple again!' ThenI thought/said, ‘Although You OR Then I thought that although You ThenI thought/said, ‘Although You Jonah 2:7 ThenI thought/said, ‘Although You Since Jonah is thinking and not speaking out loud, in your translation, you might want to use an indirect quote rather than a direct speech quote. Youhave banished me OR You have expelled/cast me away from your presence/sight YetI will OR But surely I will YetI will There is a text translation issue with this part of verse 4. The Hebrew text introduces Jonah’s second thought with a word meaning ‘yet’ or ‘surely’, expressing hope. But there is one alternate Greek translation from the Hebrew that uses a word meaning ‘how’, expressing a sense of hopelessness, that Jonah might never again see the Lord. English versions are divided in how they render this meaning. Many follow the second alternative, even though it has little textual support. So, it is recommended that you follow the Hebrew text and the options given here. (TN Jonah) tosee your holy temple again OR to see the holy place where you/Yahweh live tosee your holy temple again There is disagreement among scholars concerning whether the temple mentioned in chapter 2, verses 4 and 7, refers to the earthly temple in Jerusalem, or to Yahweh’s eternal dwelling place in heaven. So, if possible, avoid referring to the location of the temple in these verses. In both verses, the sense seems to be “the holy place where you (the Lord) live.” (TN Jonah, Hohulin, 2000)Both the Jerusalem temple and the temple in heaven were true dwelling places for Yahweh. The Glory of Yahweh Himself used to dwell in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Jonah had “come down” from Jerusalem to Joppa, and contemplated returning to Jerusalem. In the context of Jewish “cosmic geography,” Judah was Yahweh’s land, and Nineveh was a dwelling place for demons. GC
5  "The water surrounded me, and threatened to drown me. Seaweed was wrapped around my head. seaweedOR sea plants 6  I sank down to where the mountains start rising from the sea bottom. I thought that it would be as though my body would forever be in a prison inside the earth below me. But you, Yahweh God, whom I worship, you rescued me from going down to the place where the dead go. rescuedme from going down to the place where the dead go OR rescued me from death OR rescued me back from dying rescuedme from going down to the place where the dead go We do not know if Jonah died physically or only metaphorically (figuratively speaking). 7  When I was almost dead, Yahweh, I thought about you. You heard my prayer to you, up there where you are, in your holy temple. WhenI was almost dead OR As I was dying WhenI was almost dead Jonah 2:4 8  All those who worship worthless idols are rejecting you, the one who could act kindly toward them. whocould act kindly *OR who is faithful to keep his promises * whocould act kindly *The Hebrew word here is khesed*. (Here rendered kindly) The common meaning of the Hebrew term *khesed *seems to include loyalty or reliability, faithfulness and kindness or steady compassion. 9  But I will sing to thank you, and I will offer a sacrifice to thank you, Yahweh. I will surely do what I have solemnly promised to do. Yahweh, you are the only one who is able to save us." ButI OR But, as for me, I offera sacrifice to thank you OR offer to sacrifice animals to thank you offera sacrifice to thank you In ancient times, pagans commonly offered sacrifices to bribe their gods or to placate them. In Israel, however, sacrifices were for purifying dirty/polluted things, worshiping and honoring Yahweh, and expressing thanks to Yahweh. Yahweh,you are the only one who is able to save us OR Because it is Yahweh alone who saves anyone.

*This2:1 is what Jonah reported later: * OR (omit)

Jonah2:2 said OR Jonah prayed

Jonah2:2 said Jonah’s prayer is a Hebrew poem or song. If you want to create a poem in your language from the content of Jonah’s prayer, or sing Jonah’s song in your language, that would be very appropriate

about2:2 to descend way down into the place where dead people go OR when I almost died OR when I was as good as dead

You2:3 threw me OR You caused men to throw me

the2:3 huge waves crashed above me OR You buried me under crashing waves

Then2:4 I thought/said, ‘Although You OR Then I thought that although You

Then2:4 I thought/said, ‘Although You Jonah 2:7

Then2:4 I thought/said, ‘Although You Since Jonah is thinking and not speaking out loud, in your translation, you might want to use an indirect quote rather than a direct speech quote.

You2:4 have banished me OR You have expelled/cast me away from your presence/sight

Yet2:4 I will OR But surely I will

Yet2:4 I will There is a text translation issue with this part of verse 4. The Hebrew text introduces Jonah’s second thought with a word meaning ‘yet’ or ‘surely’, expressing hope. But there is one alternate Greek translation from the Hebrew that uses a word meaning ‘how’, expressing a sense of hopelessness, that Jonah might never again see the Lord. English versions are divided in how they render this meaning. Many follow the second alternative, even though it has little textual support. So, it is recommended that you follow the Hebrew text and the options given here. (TN Jonah)

to2:4 see your holy temple again OR to see the holy place where you/Yahweh live

to2:4 see your holy temple again There is disagreement among scholars concerning whether the temple mentioned in chapter 2, verses 4 and 7, refers to the earthly temple in Jerusalem, or to Yahweh’s eternal dwelling place in heaven. So, if possible, avoid referring to the location of the temple in these verses. In both verses, the sense seems to be “the holy place where you (the Lord) live.” (TN Jonah, Hohulin, 2000)Both the Jerusalem temple and the temple in heaven were true dwelling places for Yahweh. The Glory of Yahweh Himself used to dwell in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Jonah had “come down” from Jerusalem to Joppa, and contemplated returning to Jerusalem. In the context of Jewish “cosmic geography,” Judah was Yahweh’s land, and Nineveh was a dwelling place for demons. GC

seaweed2:5 OR sea plants

rescued2:6 me from going down to the place where the dead go OR rescued me from death OR rescued me back from dying

rescued2:6 me from going down to the place where the dead go We do not know if Jonah died physically or only metaphorically (figuratively speaking).

When2:7 I was almost dead OR As I was dying

When2:7 I was almost dead Jonah 2:4

who2:8 could act kindly *OR who is faithful to keep his promises *

who2:8 could act kindly *The Hebrew word here is khesed*. (Here rendered kindly) The common meaning of the Hebrew term *khesed *seems to include loyalty or reliability, faithfulness and kindness or steady compassion.

But2:9 I OR But, as for me, I

offer2:9 a sacrifice to thank you OR offer to sacrifice animals to thank you

offer2:9 a sacrifice to thank you In ancient times, pagans commonly offered sacrifices to bribe their gods or to placate them. In Israel, however, sacrifices were for purifying dirty/polluted things, worshiping and honoring Yahweh, and expressing thanks to Yahweh.

Yahweh,2:9 you are the only one who is able to save us OR Because it is Yahweh alone who saves anyone.

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