The Anchor Yale Bible: Jonah (AYB)
Overview
Were Jonah’s experiences true to the history of ancient Israel? Were they meant to be read comically, philosophically, allegorically, symbolically, or realistically? And is God godly when acting beyond the comprehension of prophets, let alone ordinary human beings?
These issues, and many more, are thoughtfully considered in this meticulously detailed and insightful translation of the original Hebrew text of Jonah as created by Jewish authorities during the second half of the first millennium BC. In these profound and enduring tales, realistic events and miraculous incidents merge, and we never have to wait long to witness the power of God’s love or wrath.
One of the 12 Minor Prophets, Jonah faced more challenges in a short span of time than any other biblical hero. He went to sea and nearly drowned in the belly of a great fish. On land, Jonah journeyed east to Nineveh, where his mission was to spread the word of God in a city plagued by evil. He was tested by God at every turn. But even during his darkest hours, his faith never wavered and through all the tumult, he always listened for the comforting voice of the Lord.
Author Jack M. Sasson employs the very latest information in biblical scholarship to interpret the many nuances in Jonah’s seemingly simple story. Providing Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Aramaic, and, occasionally, Syriac and Arabic translations, this volume is an exciting addition to the world-acclaimed series.
Logos Bible Software gives you the tools you need to use this volume effectively and efficiently. With your digital library, you can search for verses, find Scripture references and citations instantly, and perform word studies. Along with your English translations, all Scripture passages are linked to Greek and Hebrew texts. What’s more, hovering over a Scripture reference will instantly display your verse! The advanced tools in your digital library free you to dig deeper into one of the most important contributions to biblical scholarship in the past century!
- Offers original translations, including alternative translations, annotations, and variants
- Provides verse-by-verse commentary on the text
- Presents the reader with historical background, including analysis of authorship and dating
- Features an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary literature
- The Setting (Jonah 1:1–3)
- The Storm-Tossed Ship (Jonah 1:4–6)
- The Singling out of Jonah (Jonah 1:7–12)
- Obstinacy and Submission (Jonah 1:13–16)
- In the Fish’s Belly (Jonah 2:1–3a)
- A Canticle from the Depths (Jonah 2:3b–10)
- On Dry Land (Jonah 2:11)
- In Nineveh (Jonah 3:1–4)
- Changes of Heart, Change of Mind (Jonah 3:5–10)
- Move/Countermove (Jonah 4:1–6)
- Heat and Light (Jonah 4:7–11)
Top Highlights
“The consistent placement of Jonah within the Twelve (and not, say, among the Writings) demonstrates that the book was regarded as prophetic even if it differs from the others in having barely a sentence of prophecy to relate and even if, when it does so, God’s words address foreigners. The fact that God and Jonah speak directly to each other in chapter 4 may have helped to ratify Jonah’s prophetic credentials; and the entire book—but especially God’s words of 4:10–11—comes to be the message to which Israel needs to hark (see Childs 1978: 127).” (Page 15)
“From this detail, we learn that the amount of time spent in penance is not what really sways God; rather, the sincerity of the repentance is what matters most.” (Page 295)
“To the prophets of Israel, even to those who lived after Assyria’s fall, the name Nineveh was enough to prompt memory of a bitter and long-lasting yoke.” (Page 70)
“This observation is relevant, for a check into any Hebrew concordance will show that the expression way(ye)hî debar-YHWH ʾel … is found only when contexts and circumstances regarding the prophet and his mission are already established in previous statements.” (Page 67)
“No; the contrast in number means to sharpen our perception of a prophet who is very much in a hurry to do what God asks of him, whether earnestly and enthusiastically or just to get it over with.” (Page 236)
- Title: Jonah
- Author: Jack M. Sasson
- Series: Anchor Yale Bible (AYB)
- Publisher: Yale University Press
- Publication Date: 1995
- Pages: 384
