Written By Lesallan – August 2, 2023
Recurrence and Repetition in the Book of Jonah (ESV)
Structural relationships are found “in all cultures, all genres, all time periods, and all forms of art, not simply in literature” (Bauer & Traina, 2014, p.94). This week’s discussion is focused on only one of the major structural relationships found in Biblical literature: recurrence, which is the “repetition of the same or similar terms, phrases, or other elements” (Bauer & Traina, 2014, p. 95).
The utilization of repetition within Biblical literary works involves the deliberate use of a particular word or phrase multiple times throughout a speech or written piece. The Bible consists of numerous written works containing religious texts or scriptures held sacred by various groups, including Christians, Jews, and Samaritans. For the repetition to be effective, the words or phrases must be used in close proximity to one another. By repeating the same words or phrases, particularly within the pages of the Bible, an idea can be clarified or made more memorable for the reader.
In the first chapter of the Book of Jonah (ESV), the phrase “the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3-1:10, ESV) is found first in this passage, “But Jonah rose 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 the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3, ESV). Repetition is then found in the following passage within the Book of Jonah (ESV), “Then the men were exceedingly afraid 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” (Jonah 1:10, ESV). If these phrases used as an example were to be broken down even further, the phrase “the Lord” is also seen as another example of repetition.
Another example of repetition in the Book of Jonah (ESV) is the phrase “belly of the fish.” “And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17, ESV). This phrase is then repeated in the Book of Jonah (ESV) within the context of this passage, “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish” (Jonah 2:1, ESV).
In the Book of Jonah (ESV), the repeated phrase “the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3-1:10, ESV) means being in the presence of the Lord or being aware of His presence. In the context of the story, Jonah tries to flee from the presence of the Lord by boarding a ship and sailing away from the land where God had called him to go. However, in the end, Jonah’s attempt to flee from God’s presence is unsuccessful, as God’s presence is not limited to a specific location and cannot be escaped. The Book of Jonah uses the phrase “the presence of the Lord” to convey a sense of awe, reverence, and fear in the face of God’s power and majesty.
In the Book of Jonah (ESV), the repeated phrase “belly of the fish” literally means in the belly of a great fish God appointed to swallow Jonah after being thrown by the sailors into the sea from the ship. Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights before being vomited out onto dry land (Jonah 2:10, ESV). The phrase “belly of the fish” is often interpreted symbolically as representing a place of deep distress, darkness, and isolation. The time that Jonah spent in the belly of the fish can be seen as a period of reflection and repentance, during which he prayed to God and acknowledged his wrongdoing. The phrase “belly of the fish” is sometimes used metaphorically to describe complex or trying situations from which one emerges transformed or renewed.
In the Book of Jonah (ESV), the repeated element “the presence of the Lord” is used in several different ways. Jonah 1:3 (ESV) describes Jonah’s attempt to flee from God’s presence by boarding a ship and sailing away from the land where God had called him to go. In Jonah 1:10 (ESV), it is used to describe the knowledge of the sailors that Jonah was fleeing from God’s presence. Later in the story, in Jonah 2:4 (ESV), Jonah acknowledges that he has been driven away from God’s sight but expresses hope that he will once again look upon God’s holy temple. Throughout the story, the phrase “the presence of the Lord” conveys a sense of awe, reverence, and fear in the face of God’s power and majesty.
In the Book of Jonah (ESV), the repeated element “belly of the fish” (Jonah 1:17-2:1, ESV) describes the literal belly of a great fish that God appointed to swallow Jonah after he was thrown overboard from the ship. The phrase is first used in the Book of Jonah (ESV), where it says, “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17, ESV). Later in the book, it is used to describe the location from which Jonah prayed to God, saying, “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish” (Jonah 2:1, ESV). Throughout the story, the phrase “belly of the fish” conveys a sense of deep distress, darkness, isolation, and a place of reflection and repentance.
The repeated phrases “the presence of the Lord” and “belly of the fish” in the Book of Jonah (ESV) are related and illuminate in that they both represent Jonah’s relationship with God. At the story’s beginning, Jonah tries to flee from the presence of the Lord by boarding a ship and sailing away from the land where God had called him to go. However, in the end, his attempt to flee from God’s presence is unsuccessful, as he is thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish appointed by God. While in the belly of the fish, Jonah is isolated and in distress, but he uses this time to reflect on his actions and pray to God. In this way, Jonah’s experience while in the belly of the fish can be seen as a turning point in his relationship with God, as he acknowledges his wrongdoing and turns back towards God’s presence. These repeated phrases and ideas illuminate one another by showing how Jonah’s attempts to flee from God ultimately lead him back into a closer relationship with Him.
The recurrences of the phrases “the presence of the Lord” and “belly of the fish” in the Book of Jonah (ESV) have several implications for understanding and interpreting the story. These repeated phrases highlight the main themes and motifs found in the narrative, such as Jonah’s relationship with God, his attempts to flee from God’s presence, and his eventual repentance and return to God. The repetition of these phrases also emphasizes the transformative nature of Jonah’s journey, as he moves from a place of disobedience and rebellion to a place of submission and obedience to God’s will. Additionally, these recurrences can be seen as reinforcing the story’s overarching message, which is that God’s compassion and mercy extend to all people, even those who try to flee from His presence. Overall, the recurrences of these phrases in the Book of Jonah deepen our understanding of the characters, themes, and the story’s overall message.
References:
Bauer, D. R., & Traina, R. A. (2014). Inductive bible study – a comprehensive guide to the practice of hermeneutics. Baker Publishing Group.
