King James Version

What Does Jonah 1:3 Mean?

Jonah 1:3 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jonah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jonah 1:3 · KJV


Context

1

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Jonah: Gr. Jonas

2

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

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.

4

But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. sent out: Heb. cast forth was like: Heb. thought to be broken

5

Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jonah's response is immediate rebellion: "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." The Hebrew repeats "from the presence of the LORD" (milifnei YHWH, מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה) twice—emphasizing Jonah's foolish attempt to escape God's presence.

"Tarshish" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ) was likely in Spain or coastal Mediterranean, representing the farthest western point known to Israelites—opposite direction from Nineveh (east). Jonah doesn't merely delay obedience; he runs the wrong way as fast and far as possible. The verb "went down" (yarad, יָרַד) appears three times (went down to Joppa, down into the ship, and in 1:5, down into the ship's hold). This descent becomes spiritual metaphor—running from God is always downward movement.

The phrase "from the presence of the LORD" shows theological confusion. Psalm 139:7-12 asks: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" The answer: nowhere. Yet Jonah, despite being a prophet who should know better, attempts the impossible. Perhaps he hoped distance from the land where God commanded him might nullify the commission. Or maybe he feared that if he preached and Nineveh repented, God's mercy would spare Israel's future destroyer—exactly what happens and what Jonah later admits motivated his flight (4:2).

"He paid the fare thereof" (vayyiten sekarah) indicates Jonah financed his rebellion—using personal resources to fund disobedience. Sin always costs, and running from God is expensive. The irony deepens: Jonah pays to flee from God's commission, while the pagan sailors (verse 5) pray to their gods. Throughout chapter 1, pagan sailors display more spiritual sensitivity than God's prophet—they pray, Jonah sleeps; they fear properly, Jonah remains callous; they show compassion, Jonah accepts death rather than obey.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jonah son of Amittai prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (2 Kings 14:25), around 780-760 BC. God commanded him to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria—the brutal empire that would later destroy Israel (722 BC). Assyrian kings were notorious for extreme cruelty, boasting in their inscriptions about impalement, flaying, and mass deportations. For an Israelite prophet, preaching salvation to Assyria was like asking a Holocaust survivor to evangelize Nazi Germany. Jonah's flight to Tarshish (opposite direction) reveals both ethnic prejudice and theological confusion about God's mercy extending to pagan nations. When Nineveh repented and God relented, Jonah became angry, preferring their destruction. The book concludes with God's gentle rebuke, revealing His compassion for all people.

The book of Jonah stands as a rebuke to narrow nationalism and an anticipation of the gospel's universal scope. Jesus referenced Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of His death and resurrection, while condemning His generation for not repenting like Nineveh did (Matthew 12:39-41). The early church struggled with the same prejudice Jonah displayed when Gentiles began believing in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jonah 1:3 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּ֤קָם1 of 21

rose up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יוֹנָה֙2 of 21

But Jonah

H3124

jonah, an israelite

לִבְרֹ֣חַ3 of 21

to flee

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה4 of 21

to Tarshish

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

מִלִּפְנֵ֖י5 of 21

from the presence

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃6 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֵּ֤רֶד7 of 21

and went down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

יָפ֜וֹ8 of 21

to Joppa

H3305

japho, a place in palestine

וַיִּמְצָ֥א9 of 21

and he found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אָנִיָּ֣ה׀10 of 21

a ship

H591

a ship

לָב֤וֹא11 of 21

going

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה12 of 21

to Tarshish

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן13 of 21

so he paid

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

שְׂכָרָ֜הּ14 of 21

the fare

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

וַיֵּ֤רֶד15 of 21

and went down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בָּהּ֙16 of 21
H0
לָב֤וֹא17 of 21

going

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עִמָּהֶם֙18 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה19 of 21

to Tarshish

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

מִלִּפְנֵ֖י20 of 21

from the presence

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jonah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jonah 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jonah 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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