Table of Contents
Introduction
The Book of Jonah (Hebrew יונה, yonàh; Greek Ιωνάς, ionás; Latin Ionas) is contained in the Biblical collection of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Nevi’im (“Prophets”) in the Hebrew Bible canon, and as a stand-alone book in the Christian Old Testament. Set in the reign of Jeroboam II (786-746 B.C.), it tells of a Jewish prophet named Jonah, son of Amittai, who is sent by GOD to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh, but tries to escape this divine mission.
The story has a long interpretive history and has become known through children’s folktales. In Judaism, it is the portion of Haftarah read during the afternoon of Yom Kippur to instill reflection on GOD’s willingness to forgive those who repent, and it remains a popular story among Christians. The story is also told in the Qur’an.
Structure
Jonah 1:1 (narrative) – Divine call and the prophet’s flight toward Tarshish.
Jonah 1:4 (narrative) – Storm at sea and crisis among the sailors.
Jonah 1:7 (narrative) – Casting lots and identification of Jonah as the cause.
Jonah 1:11 (discourse) – Dialogue between Jonah and the sailors.
Jonah 1:15 (narrative) – Jonah thrown into the sea and the storm subsides.
Jonah 2:1 (narrative) – Jonah inside the great fish.
Jonah 2:2 (poetry) – Poetic prayer of Jonah from the belly of the fish.
Jonah 3:1 (narrative) – Second divine call and Jonah’s obedience.
Jonah 3:4 (prophecy) – Proclamation of judgment against Nineveh.
Jonah 3:5 (narrative) – Repentance of the people of Nineveh.
Jonah 4:1 (discourse) – Jonah’s reaction and dialogue with God.
Jonah 4:5 (final narrative) – The plant, the worm, and the divine lesson on mercy.
Audiobook
Interlinear Translation
Chapter 1
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal English Translation from Hebrew | ASH English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיְהִי דְּבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־יוֹנָה בֶן־אֲמִתַּי לֵאמֹר׃ | Vayehi devar-YHWH el-Yonah ben-Amittai lemor. | And it came to be, the word of YHWH to Jonah son of Amittai, saying: | And the word of the LORD came to Jonah, son of Amittai, saying: |
| קוּם לֵךְ אֶל־נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה וּקְרָא עָלֶיהָ כִּי־עָלְתָה רָעָתָם לְפָנָי׃ | Qum lekh el-Ninveh ha-ir ha-gedolah u-qera aleha ki-altah ra‘atam lefanai. | Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and call out against it, for their evil has gone up before me. | Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim against it, for their evil has come up before me. |
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal English Translation from Hebrew | ASH English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיָּקָם יוֹנָה לִבְרֹחַ תַּרְשִׁישָׁה מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה וַיֵּרֶד יָפוֹ וַיִּמְצָא אָנִיָּה בָּאָה תַרְשִׁישׁ וַיִּתֵּן שְׂכָרָהּ וַיֵּרֶד בָּהּ לָבוֹא עִמָּהֶם תַּרְשִׁישָׁה מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה׃ | Vayaqam Yonah livroaḥ Tarshishah millifnei YHWH; vayered Yafo vayimtza oniyyah ba’ah Tarshish; vayitten sekharah vayered bah lavo immahem Tarshishah millifnei YHWH. | And Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from before YHWH; and he went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish, and he gave its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, from before YHWH. | But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD; he went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid its fare, and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. |
| וַיהוָה הֵטִיל רוּחַ־גְּדוֹלָה אֶל־הַיָּם וַיְהִי סַעַר־גָּדוֹל בַּיָּם וְהָאֳנִיָּה חִשְּׁבָה לְהִשָּׁבֵר׃ | Va-YHWH hetil ruach gedolah el-hayam; vayehi sa‘ar gadol bayam, veha-oniyyah chishvah lehishaver. | And YHWH hurled a great wind to the sea, and there was a great storm in the sea, and the ship thought to be broken. | But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a great storm on the sea, so that the ship was about to break apart. |
| וַיִּירְאוּ הַמַּלָּחִים וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אִישׁ אֶל־אֱלֹהָיו וַיָּטִלוּ אֶת־הַכֵּלִים אֲשֶׁר בָּאֳנִיָּה אֶל־הַיָּם לְהָקֵל מֵעֲלֵיהֶם וְיוֹנָה יָרַד אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵי הַסְּפִינָה וַיִּשְׁכַּב וַיֵּרָדַם׃ | Vayire’u ha-mallaḥim vayiz‘aqu ish el-elohav; vayatilu et-ha-kelim asher ba-oniyyah el-hayam lehakel me‘aleihem; ve-Yonah yarad el-yarketei ha-sefinah vayishkav vayeradam. | And the sailors feared, and they cried out each to his god, and they threw the vessels that were in the ship into the sea to lighten from upon them; and Jonah had gone down to the inner parts of the ship and lay down and fell asleep. | The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god; they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship, lay down, and fell into a deep sleep. |
| וַיִּקְרַב אֵלָיו רַב הַחֹבֵל וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ מַה־לְּךָ נִרְדָּם קוּם קְרָא אֶל־אֱלֹהֶיךָ אוּלַי יִתְעַשֵּׁת הָאֱלֹהִים לָנוּ וְלֹא נֹאבֵד׃ | Vayiqrav elav rav ha-chovel vayomer lo: Mah-lekha nirdam? Qum qera el-Elohekha; ulai yit‘ashet ha-Elohim lanu ve-lo noved. | And the captain came near to him and said to him: What is with you, sleeper? Arise, call to your GOD; perhaps GOD will think upon us, and we will not perish. | The captain approached him and said: What are you doing asleep? Arise, call upon your GOD; perhaps GOD will consider us, so that we may not perish. |
| וַיֹּאמְרוּ אִישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵהוּ לְכוּ וְנַפִּילָה גוֹרָלוֹת וְנֵדְעָה בְּשֶׁלְּמִי הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת לָנוּ וַיַּפִּלוּ גּוֹרָלוֹת וַיִּפֹּל הַגּוֹרָל עַל־יוֹנָה׃ | Vayomeru ish el-re‘ehu: Lekhu venappilah goralot; vened‘ah beshellemi ha-ra‘ah hazot lanu. Vayappilu goralot vayippol ha-goral al-Yonah. | And they said each to his companion: Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. And they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. | They said to one another: Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know because of whom this evil has come upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. |
| וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו הַגִּידָה־נָּא לָנוּ בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי־הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת לָנוּ מַה־מְּלַאכְתְּךָ וּמֵאַיִן תָּבוֹא מָה אַרְצֶךָ וְאֵי־מִזֶּה עַם אָתָּה׃ | Vayomeru elav: Haggidah-na lanu ba’asher lemi ha-ra‘ah hazot lanu; mah-melakhtekha u-me’ayin tavo? Mah artsekha ve-ei mizzeh am attah? | And they said to him: Tell us now, because of whom this evil is upon us; what is your work, and from where do you come? What is your land, and from which people are you? | They said to him: Tell us now: because of whom has this evil come upon us? What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? And from what people are you? |
| וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם עִבְרִי אָנֹכִי וְאֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם אֲנִי יָרֵא אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה אֶת־הַיָּם וְאֶת־הַיַּבָּשָׁה׃ | Vayomer aleihem: Ivri anokhi; ve-et YHWH Elohei ha-shamayim ani yare, asher asah et-hayam ve-et-hayabbashah. | And he said to them: A Hebrew I am, and YHWH, GOD of the heavens, I fear, who made the sea and the dry land. | He said to them: I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, GOD of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. |
| וַיִּירְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים יִרְאָה גְדוֹלָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו מַה־זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ כִּי־יָדְעוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כִּי־מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה הוּא בֹרֵחַ כִּי הִגִּיד לָהֶם׃ | Vayire’u ha-anashim yir’ah gedolah vayomeru elav: Mah-zot asita? Ki yade‘u ha-anashim ki millifnei YHWH hu boreaḥ, ki higgid lahem. | And the men feared a great fear and said to him: What is this you have done? For the men knew that from before YHWH he was fleeing, because he told them. | Then the men feared greatly and said to him: What is this that you have done? For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. |
| וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו מַה־נַּעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ וְיִשְׁתֹּק הַיָּם מֵעָלֵינוּ כִּי הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר׃ | Vayomeru elav: Mah-na‘aseh lakh veyishtoq hayam me‘aleinu? Ki hayam holekh veso‘er. | And they said to him: What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet from upon us? For the sea was going and storming. | They said to him: What shall we do to you, so that the sea may become calm for us? For the sea was growing more and more stormy. |
| וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם שָׂאוּנִי וַהֲטִלֻנִי אֶל־הַיָּם וְיִשְׁתֹּק הַיָּם מֵעֲלֵיכֶם כִּי יוֹדֵעַ אָנִי כִּי בְשֶׁלִּי הַסַּעַר הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה עֲלֵיכֶם׃ | Vayomer aleihem: Sa’uni vahatiluni el-hayam, veyishtoq hayam me‘aleikhem; ki yodea ani ki veshelli hasa‘ar hagadol hazeh aleikhem. | And he said to them: Lift me and throw me into the sea, and the sea will quiet from upon you, for I know that because of me this great storm is upon you. | He said to them: Lift me and throw me into the sea, and the sea will become calm for you; for I know that because of me this great storm is upon you. |
| וַיַּחְתְּרוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים לְהָשִׁיב אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָׁה וְלֹא יָכֹלוּ כִּי הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר עֲלֵיהֶם׃ | Vayacht’ru ha-anashim lehashiv el-hayabbashah velo yakholu; ki hayam holekh veso‘er aleihem. | And the men rowed to return to the dry land, but they were not able, for the sea was going and storming against them. | The men rowed hard to return to the dry land, but they could not, for the sea was growing more and more stormy against them. |
| וַיִּקְרְאוּ אֶל־יְהוָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ אָנָּה יְהוָה אַל־נָא נֹאבְדָה בְּנֶפֶשׁ הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה וְאַל־תִּתֵּן עָלֵינוּ דָּם נָקִיא כִּי־אַתָּה יְהוָה כַּאֲשֶׁר חָפַצְתָּ עָשִׂיתָ׃ | Vayiqre’u el-YHWH vayomeru: Annah YHWH, al-na novedah benefesh ha-ish hazeh; ve’al-titten aleinu dam naqi; ki attah YHWH ka’asher chafatzta asita. | And they cried to YHWH and said: Please, YHWH, do not let us perish for the life of this man, and do not place upon us innocent blood, for you, YHWH, as you desired, you have done. | They cried out to the LORD and said: Please, LORD, do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not place innocent blood upon us; for you, LORD, have done as you desired. |
| וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֶת־יוֹנָה וַיְטִלֻהוּ אֶל־הַיָּם וַיַּעֲמֹד הַיָּם מִזַּעְפּוֹ׃ | Vayis’u et-Yonah vaytiluhu el-hayam; vaya‘amod hayam mizapo. | And they lifted Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stood from its raging. | They lifted Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. |
| וַיִּירְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים יִרְאָה גְדוֹלָה אֶת־יְהוָה וַיִּזְבְּחוּ־זֶבַח לַיהוָה וַיִּדְּרוּ נְדָרִים׃ | Vayire’u ha-anashim yir’ah gedolah et-YHWH; vayizbechu-zevach la-YHWH vayidderu nedarim. | And the men feared YHWH with great fear, and they sacrificed a sacrifice to YHWH and made vows. | Then the men feared the LORD with great fear, offered a sacrifice to the LORD, and made vows. |
Chapter 2
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal English Translation from Hebrew | ASH English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיְמַן יְהוָה דָּג גָּדוֹל לִבְלֹעַ אֶת־יוֹנָה וַיְהִי יוֹנָה בִּמְעֵי הַדָּג שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה לֵילוֹת׃ | Vayeman YHWH dag gadol livlo‘a et-Yonah; vayehi Yonah bime‘ei ha-dag sheloshah yamim usheloshah leilot. | And GOD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. | The LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. |
| וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל יוֹנָה אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו מִמְּעֵי הַדָּג׃ | Vayitpallel Yonah el-YHWH Elohav mime‘ei ha-dag. | And Jonah prayed to GOD his GOD from the belly of the fish. | Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his GOD from the belly of the fish. |
| וַיֹּאמֶר קָרָאתִי מִצָּרָה לִי אֶל־יְהוָה וַיַּעֲנֵנִי מִבֶּטֶן שְׁאוֹל שִׁוַּעְתִּי שָׁמַעְתָּ קוֹלִי׃ | Vayomer: Qarati mitzarah li el-YHWH vayya‘aneni; mibeten Sheol shivva‘ti, sham‘ata qoli. | And he said: I called from my distress to GOD and He answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried, You heard my voice. | And he said: I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. |
| וַתַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי מְצוּלָה בִּלְבַב יַמִּים וְנָהָר יְסֹבְבֵנִי כָּל־מִשְׁבָּרֶיךָ וְגַלֶּיךָ עָלַי עָבָרוּ׃ | Vattashlikheni metzulah bilvav yamim; venahar yesoveveni; kol-mishbarekha vegallekha alai avaru. | And You cast me into the deep, in the heart of the seas, and the current surrounded me; all Your breakers and Your waves passed over me. | You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current surrounded me; all Your waves and breakers swept over me. |
| וַאֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי נִגְרַשְׁתִּי מִנֶּגֶד עֵינֶיךָ אַךְ אוֹסִיף לְהַבִּיט אֶל־הֵיכַל קָדְשֶׁךָ׃ | Va’ani amarti: Nigrashti mineged einekha; akh osif lehabbit el-heikhal qodshekha. | And I said: I am driven away from before Your eyes; yet I will again look toward Your holy temple. | And I said: I have been driven away from Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple. |
| אָפָפוּנִי מַיִם עַד־נָפֶשׁ תְּהוֹם יְסֹבְבֵנִי סוּף חָבוּשׁ לְרֹאשִׁי׃ | Afafuni mayim ad-nafesh; tehom yesoveveni; suf chavush leroshi. | The waters surrounded me up to the soul, the deep encircled me; seaweed was bound around my head. | The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. |
| לְקִצְבֵי הָרִים יָרַדְתִּי הָאָרֶץ בְּרִחֶיהָ בַעֲדִי לְעוֹלָם וַתַּעַל מִשַּׁחַת חַיַּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי׃ | Leqitzvei harim yaradti; ha’aretz bericheha ba‘adi le‘olam; vatta‘al mishachat chayyai, YHWH Elohai. | I went down to the roots of the mountains; the earth with its bars was upon me forever; yet You brought up my life from the pit, O GOD my GOD. | I went down to the roots of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed upon me forever; yet You brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my GOD. |
| בְּהִתְעַטֵּף עָלַי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָה זָכָרְתִּי וַתָּבוֹא אֵלֶיךָ תְּפִלָּתִי אֶל־הֵיכַל קָדְשֶׁךָ׃ | Behit‘attef alai nafshi et-YHWH zakarti; vatavo elekha tefillati el-heikhal qodshekha. | When my soul fainted within me, I remembered GOD; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. | When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. |
| מְשַׁמְּרִים הַבְלֵי־שָׁוְא חַסְדָּם יַעֲזֹבוּ׃ | Meshammrim havlei-shav chasdam ya‘azovu. | Those who keep worthless vanities abandon their mercy. | Those who cling to worthless idols forsake their own mercy. |
| וַאֲנִי בְּקוֹל תּוֹדָה אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּךְ אֲשֶׁר נָדַרְתִּי אֲשַׁלֵּמָה יְשׁוּעָתָה לַיהוָה׃ | Va’ani beqol todah ezbechah-lakh; asher nadarti ashalemah; yeshu‘atah la-YHWH. | But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay; salvation belongs to GOD. | But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay; salvation belongs to the LORD. |
| וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לַדָּג וַיָּקֵא אֶת־יוֹנָה אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָׁה׃ | Vayomer YHWH la-dag; vayake et-Yonah el-hayabbashah. | And GOD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto the dry land. | The LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. |
Chapter 3
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal English Translation from Hebrew | ASH English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיְהִי דְּבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־יוֹנָה שֵׁנִית לֵאמֹר׃ | Vayehi devar-YHWH el-Yonah shenit lemor. | And the word of GOD came to Jonah a second time, saying: | Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying: |
| קוּם לֵךְ אֶל־נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה וּקְרָא אֵלֶיהָ אֶת־הַקְּרִיאָה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי דֹּבֵר אֵלֶיךָ׃ | Qum lekh el-Ninveh ha-ir ha-gedolah u-qera eleha et-haqeri’ah asher anokhi dover elekha. | Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to it the proclamation that I speak to you. | Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you. |
| וַיָּקָם יוֹנָה וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל־נִינְוֵה כִּדְבַר יְהוָה וְנִינְוֵה הָיְתָה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה לֵאלֹהִים מַהֲלַךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים׃ | Vayaqam Yonah vayelekh el-Ninveh kidvar YHWH; ve-Ninveh hayetah ir-gedolah le’Elohim mahalakh sheloshet yamim. | And Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of GOD; and Nineveh was a great city to GOD, a journey of three days. | So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ journey. |
| וַיָּחֶל יוֹנָה לָבוֹא בָּעִיר מַהֲלַךְ יוֹם אֶחָד וַיִּקְרָא וַיֹּאמַר עוֹד אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם וְנִינְוֵה נֶהְפָּכֶת׃ | Vayachel Yonah lavo ba’ir mahalakh yom echad; vayiqra vayomar: ‘Od arba‘im yom ve-Ninveh nehpakhet. | And Jonah began to enter into the city a journey of one day, and he cried and said: Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overturned. | Jonah began to go into the city a day’s journey, and he called out and said: Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. |
| וַיַּאֲמִינוּ אַנְשֵׁי נִינְוֵה בֵּאלֹהִים וַיִּקְרְאוּ צוֹם וַיִּלְבְּשׁוּ שַׂקִּים מִגְּדוֹלָם וְעַד־קְטַנָּם׃ | Vaya’aminu anshei Ninveh be’Elohim; vayiqre’u tzom vayilbeshu saqqim migdolam ve‘ad-qetannam. | And the men of Nineveh believed in GOD, and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from their greatest to their least. | The people of Nineveh believed GOD; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. |
| וַיִּגַּע הַדָּבָר אֶל־מֶלֶךְ נִינְוֵה וַיָּקָם מִכִּסְאוֹ וַיַּעֲבֵר אַדַּרְתּוֹ מֵעָלָיו וַיְכַס שַׂק וַיֵּשֶׁב עַל־הָאֵפֶר׃ | Vayigga ha-davar el-melekh Ninveh; vayaqam mikis’o vaya‘aver addarto me‘alav vayekhas saq vayeshev al-ha’efer. | And the matter reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe from upon him, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. | When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. |
| וַיַּזְעֵק וַיֹּאמֶר בְּנִינְוֵה מִטַּעַם הַמֶּלֶךְ וּגְדֹלָיו לֵאמֹר הָאָדָם וְהַבְּהֵמָה הַבָּקָר וְהַצֹּאן אַל־יִטְעֲמוּ מְאוּמָה אַל־יִרְעוּ וּמַיִם אַל־יִשְׁתּוּ׃ | Vayaz‘eq vayomar be-Ninveh mitta‘am ha-melekh u-gedolav lemor: Ha-adam veha-behemah, ha-baqar veha-tzon, al-yit‘amu me’umah; al-yir‘u u-mayim al-yishtu. | And he proclaimed and said in Nineveh by decree of the king and his nobles: Man and beast, herd and flock, shall not taste anything; they shall not graze nor drink water. | He issued a proclamation in Nineveh: By decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed or drink water. |
| וְיִתְכַּסּוּ שַׂקִּים הָאָדָם וְהַבְּהֵמָה וְיִקְרְאוּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִים בְּחָזְקָה וְיָשֻׁבוּ אִישׁ מִדַּרְכּוֹ הָרָעָה וּמִן־הֶחָמָס אֲשֶׁר בְּכַפֵּיהֶם׃ | Veyitkassu saqqim ha-adam veha-behemah; veyiqre’u el-Elohim bechazqah; veyashuvu ish middarko hara‘ah u-min he-chamas asher bekappeihem. | And let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call to GOD with strength, and let each turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in their hands. | Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to GOD; let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. |
| מִי יוֹדֵעַ יָשׁוּב וְנִחַם הָאֱלֹהִים וְשָׁב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפּוֹ וְלֹא נֹאבֵד׃ | Mi yodea yashuv venicham ha-Elohim veshav mecharon appo velo noved. | Who knows? GOD may turn and relent and turn from His burning anger, and we shall not perish. | Who knows? GOD may turn and relent and turn from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish. |
| וַיַּרְא הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם כִּי־שָׁבוּ מִדַּרְכָּם הָרָעָה וַיִּנָּחֶם הָאֱלֹהִים עַל־הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר לַעֲשׂוֹת־לָהֶם וְלֹא עָשָׂה׃ | Vayar ha-Elohim et-ma‘aseihem ki shavu middarkam hara‘ah; vayinnachem ha-Elohim al-hara‘ah asher dibber la‘asot lahem velo asah. | And GOD saw their deeds, that they turned from their evil way; and GOD relented from the evil that He had spoken to do to them, and He did not do it. | When GOD saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, GOD relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it. |
Chapter 4
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal English Translation from Hebrew | ASH English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֵּרַע אֶל־יוֹנָה רָעָה גְדוֹלָה וַיִּחַר לוֹ׃ | Vayera el-Yonah ra‘ah gedolah vayichar lo. | And it was evil to Jonah, a great evil, and it burned to him. | But this displeased Jonah greatly, and he became angry. |
| וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל אֶל־יְהוָה וַיֹּאמַר אָנָּה יְהוָה הֲלוֹא־זֶה דְבָרִי עַד־הֱיוֹתִי עַל־אַדְמָתִי עַל־כֵּן קִדַּמְתִּי לִבְרֹחַ תַּרְשִׁישָׁה כִּי יָדַעְתִּי כִּי־אַתָּה אֵל־חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וְנִחָם עַל־הָרָעָה׃ | Vayitpallel el-YHWH vayomar: Annah YHWH, halo zeh devari ‘ad heyoti al-admati? ‘Al-ken qiddamti livroaḥ Tarshishah, ki yada‘ti ki attah El channun verachum, erekh appayim verav chesed, venicham al-hara‘ah. | And he prayed to GOD and said: Please, GOD, was this not my word while I was still on my land? Therefore I went ahead to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate GOD, slow to anger and abundant in kindness, and relenting concerning evil. | And he prayed to the LORD and said: Please, LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my country? Therefore I hastened to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate GOD, slow to anger and abundant in mercy, and relenting from disaster. |
| וְעַתָּה יְהוָה קַח־נָא אֶת־נַפְשִׁי מִמֶּנִּי כִּי טוֹב מוֹתִי מֵחַיַּי׃ | Ve‘attah YHWH qach-na et-nafshi mimmeni, ki tov moti mechayyay. | And now, GOD, please take my life from me, for better is my death than my life. | Now therefore, LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. |
| וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה הַהֵיטֵב חָרָה לָךְ׃ | Vayomer YHWH: Haheitev charah lakh? | And GOD said: Is it right for you to be angry? | The LORD said: Is it right for you to be angry? |
| וַיֵּצֵא יוֹנָה מִן־הָעִיר וַיֵּשֶׁב מִקֶּדֶם לָעִיר וַיַּעַשׂ לוֹ שָׁם סֻכָּה וַיֵּשֶׁב תַּחְתֶּיהָ בַּצֵּל עַד אֲשֶׁר יִרְאֶה מַה־יִּהְיֶה בָּעִיר׃ | Vayetze Yonah min-ha‘ir vayeshev miqedem la‘ir; vaya‘as lo sham sukkah vayeshev tachteha batzel ‘ad asher yir’eh mah-yihyeh ba‘ir. | And Jonah went out from the city and sat east of the city; and he made for himself there a shelter and sat under it in the shade until he would see what would happen in the city. | Jonah went out of the city and sat east of it; there he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, until he might see what would happen to the city. |
| וַיְמַן יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים קִיקָיוֹן וַיַּעַל מֵעַל לְיוֹנָה לִהְיוֹת צֵל עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ לְהַצִּיל לוֹ מֵרָעָתוֹ וַיִּשְׂמַח יוֹנָה עַל־הַקִּיקָיוֹן שִׂמְחָה גְדוֹלָה׃ | Vayeman YHWH Elohim qiqayon vaya‘al me‘al le-Yonah lihyot tzel al-rosho lehatzil lo mera‘ato; vayismaḥ Yonah al-haqiqayon simchah gedolah. | And GOD appointed a plant, and it grew up over Jonah to be shade over his head, to deliver him from his discomfort; and Jonah rejoiced over the plant with great joy. | The LORD GOD appointed a plant and made it grow up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. |
| וַיְמַן הָאֱלֹהִים תּוֹלַעַת בַּעֲלוֹת הַשַּׁחַר לַמָּחֳרָת וַתַּךְ אֶת־הַקִּיקָיוֹן וַיִּיבָשׁ׃ | Vayeman ha-Elohim tola‘at ba‘alot ha-shachar lamachorat; vattakh et-haqiqayon vayivash. | And GOD appointed a worm at the rising of the dawn the next day, and it struck the plant so that it withered. | But GOD appointed a worm when dawn came up the next day, and it attacked the plant, so that it withered. |
| וַיְהִי כִּזְרֹחַ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וַיְמַן אֱלֹהִים רוּחַ קָדִים חֲרִישִׁית וַתַּךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ עַל־רֹאשׁ יוֹנָה וַיִּתְעַלָּף וַיִּשְׁאַל אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ לָמוּת וַיֹּאמֶר טוֹב מוֹתִי מֵחַיַּי׃ | Vayehi kizroaḥ ha-shemesh vayeman Elohim ruach qadim charishit; vattakh ha-shemesh al-rosh Yonah vayit‘allaf; vayish’al et-nafsho lamut vayomer: Tov moti mechayyay. | And it came to pass when the sun rose that GOD appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun struck upon Jonah’s head so that he fainted; and he asked for himself to die and said: Better is my death than my life. | When the sun rose, GOD appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint; and he asked that he might die and said: It is better for me to die than to live. |
| וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־יוֹנָה הַהֵיטֵב חָרָה לְךָ עַל־הַקִּיקָיוֹן וַיֹּאמֶר הֵיטֵב חָרָה לִי עַד־מָוֶת׃ | Vayomer Elohim el-Yonah: Haheitev charah lekha al-haqiqayon? Vayomer: Heitev charah li ‘ad-mavet. | And GOD said to Jonah: Is it right for you to be angry about the plant? And he said: It is right for me to be angry, even to death. | Then GOD said to Jonah: Is it right for you to be angry about the plant? And he said: Yes, it is right for me to be angry, even to death. |
| וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אַתָּה חַסְתָּ עַל־הַקִּיקָיוֹן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָמַלְתָּ בּוֹ וְלֹא גִדַּלְתּוֹ שֶׁבִּן־לַיְלָה הָיָה וּבִן־לַיְלָה אָבָד׃ | Vayomer YHWH: Attah chasta al-haqiqayon asher lo-amalta bo velo giddalto, she-bin-laylah hayah uvin-laylah avad. | And GOD said: You had compassion on the plant for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. | And the LORD said: You had pity on the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. |
| וַאֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס עַל־נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה אֲשֶׁר יֵשׁ־בָּהּ הַרְבֵּה מִשְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵה רִבּוֹ אָדָם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע בֵּין־יְמִינוֹ לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ וּבְהֵמָה רַבָּה׃ | Va’ani lo achus al-Ninveh ha-ir ha-gedolah asher yesh-bah harbeh mishtem-esreh ribbo adam asher lo-yada bein yemino lismolo u-vehemah rabbah. | And should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know between their right hand and their left hand, and many animals? | And should not I have compassion on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals? |