unfoldingWord_en_tn/tn_JON.tsv

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2front:introhk4p0# Introduction to Jonah\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the book of Jonah\n\n1. Jonah tries to run away from Yahweh. (1:12:10)\n* Jonah disobeys Yahwehs first call to go to Nineveh. (1:13)\n* Jonah is on the ship with the Gentile sailors. (1:416)\n* Yahweh provides a large fish to swallow Jonah, who prays and is rescued. (1:172:10)\n2. Jonah is in Nineveh. (3:14:11)\n* Yahweh again calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, and Jonah proclaims Yahwehs message. (3:14)\n* Nineveh repents. (3:59)\n* Yahweh decides not to destroy Nineveh. (3:10)\n* Jonah is very angry with Yahweh. (4:13)\n* Yahweh teaches Jonah about grace and mercy. (4:411)\n\n### What is the book of Jonah about?\n\nJonah, son of Amittai, was a prophet from Gath Hepher, a village in the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 14:25). This book tells about what happened to Jonah. It tells how Yahweh shows mercy and grace to Gentiles. It also tells how the Ninevites repented and called out to Yahweh for mercy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])\n\nYahweh sent Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that he was ready to punish them. Yahweh said that if they would repent he would not harm them. However, Jonah was an Israelite, and he did not want the Ninevites to repent. So Jonah tried to sail away in the opposite direction instead of doing what Yahweh told him to do, but Yahweh stopped him by sending a storm and a large fish to swallow him.\n\nJonah repented and warned the Ninevites. As a result, Yahweh taught him that he is concerned about all people, not just the Israelites.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThis book is traditionally titled “The Book of Jonah” or just “Jonah.” Translators may decide to use a clearer title such as “The Book about Jonah.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### Who wrote the book of Jonah?\n\nJonah was probably involved in the writing of this book. However, scholars do not know who actually wrote it.\n\nJonah lived in the northern kingdom of Israel, during or before the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel. He probably prophesied sometime between 800 and 750 B.C.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### What was the nation of Assyria?\n\nDuring the time of Jonah, Assyria was the most powerful kingdom in the ancient Near East. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria.\n\nAssyria was cruel to its enemies. Eventually, Yahweh punished the Assyrians for the wicked things that they did.\n\n### Did Assyria convert to Judaism?\n\nSome scholars think that the Assyrians started worshiping Yahweh alone. However, most scholars think that they continued to worship other false gods, perhaps after a brief time of worshiping Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])
31:introxvp20# Jonah 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe narrative of this chapter starts abruptly. This is a typical way for a prophetic book to begin. The translator should not add information to smooth this introduction, but the first verse could be made into several sentences to make a more natural beginning. See the UST.\n\n## Special Concepts in this Chapter\n\n### Miracle\n\nIn verse [1:17](../01/17.md), there is the mention of “a great fish.” It may be difficult to imagine a sea creature big enough to swallow a man whole and we do not know what kind of creature this was. Jonah then survives for three days and nights inside the fish. This is something that God made to happen. Translators should not try to explain miraculous events in an attempt to make it easier to understand. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/miracle]])\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter\n\n### Situational irony\n\nThere is an ironic situation in this chapter. This means that people do or say things that are the opposite of what one would expect them to do. Jonah is a prophet of God, and as such, he should endeavor to do Gods will. Instead, he runs away from God. Although the Gentile sailors are not Israelites, they act out of faith and fear of Yahweh when sending Jonah to an almost certain death by throwing him overboard. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/willofgod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])\n\n### Sea\n\nPeople in the ancient Near East saw the sea as chaotic and did not trust it. Some of the gods they worshiped were gods of the sea. Jonahs people, the Hebrews, feared the sea greatly. However, Jonahs fear of the sea was not enough to keep him from sailing on a ship to avoid doing what Yahweh commanded. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/fear]])\n\n## Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter\n\n### Implicit information\n\nEven though no one knows for sure where Tarshish was, the writer assumes that the reader knows that Jonah had to face away from Nineveh to go there. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
41:1jdr1rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה1This phrase introduces the first half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduces the second half of the story (3:1). This is a common way of beginning a historical story about a prophet. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.
51:1ll6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה1This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke or communicated his message in some way. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The message of Yahweh came” or “Yahweh spoke his message”
61:1jv8crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesאֲמִתַּ֖י1**Amittai** is the name of Jonahs father.
71:2x6h7rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultק֠וּם לֵ֧ךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖ה וּ⁠קְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑י⁠הָ כִּֽי־עָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠י1If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the second half of the verse gives the reason for the result that the first half describes. Alternate translation: “The wickedness of Nineveh has risen before my face. Therefore, get up, go to that great city, and call out against it”
81:2x5uarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitנִֽינְוֵ֛ה הָ⁠עִ֥יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖ה1Here, **great** means both large and important. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the large and important city, Nineveh”
91:2v2xtrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomק֠וּם1**Get up** is an idiom that means that Jonah should take action. It does not mean that he was sitting or lying down at the time that God spoke to him. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning, state the meaning plainly, or use only the verb “Go.” Alternate translation: “Look alive” or “prepare yourself”
101:2jqz9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyוּ⁠קְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑י⁠הָ1The word **it** here, meaning the city of Nineveh, refers to the people living in and around the city. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and call out against the people there”
111:2rki2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorעָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠י1Here, God speaks of **wickedness** as if it were something that has physically **risen up** in front of him as it has continually grown larger. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I know that they have been continually sinning” or “I have seen that their sin has been getting worse and worse”
121:2r7ktrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsעָלְתָ֥ה רָעָתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָֽ⁠י1If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **wickedness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “I have seen how wicked they have become”
131:3f5srrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יָּ֤קָם יוֹנָה֙ לִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ1Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah took action in response to Gods command, but his action was to disobey instead of to obey. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated this idiom in [1:2](../01/02.md). Alternate translation: “But Jonah decided to run away” or “Jonah prepared himself, but to run away”
141:3n96trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֑ה & מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֖י יְהוָֽה1The expression **the face of Yahweh** represents his presence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The idea of Yahwehs presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh” … “away from Yahweh”
151:3g66vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitלִ⁠בְרֹ֣חַ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁ⁠ה1This city named Tarshish was in the direction opposite to Nineveh. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and went in the opposite direction, toward Tarshish, away”
161:3djv1וַ⁠יֵּ֨רֶד יָפ֜וֹ1Alternate translation: “Jonah went to Joppa”
171:3w3ucrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownאָנִיָּ֣ה1A **ship** is a a very large type of boat that can travel on the sea and carry many passengers or heavy cargo. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of boat, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “a large boat”
181:3pz67וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֨ן שְׂכָרָ֜⁠הּ1Alternate translation: “There Jonah paid the cost of his trip”
191:3g5xprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יֵּ֤רֶד בָּ⁠הּ֙1The ship is large enough that it has at least one lower deck that is inside the ship. This is where Jonah went. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and went down inside the ship”
201:3i6birc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsעִמָּ⁠הֶם֙1The pronoun **them** refers to the others who were going on the ship, and the only other people we are told about are the crew. If this is not clear for your readers, you could say who these people are. Alternate translation: “with the crew”
211:4jdr2rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrastוַֽ⁠יהוָ֗ה1**But** here indicates a strong contrast between what Jonah thought would happen and what God did. In your translation, indicate this strong contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “However, Yahweh”
221:4jdrarc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationוְ⁠הָ֣⁠אֳנִיָּ֔ה חִשְּׁבָ֖ה לְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר1Here, the author speaks of **the ship** as if it were a person who could think. This clause means that the storm was so severe that the ship was close to breaking apart. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that the ship was almost breaking apart”
231:4jl77rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveלְ⁠הִשָּׁבֵֽר1If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to break apart”
241:5tg27rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomלְ⁠הָקֵ֖ל מֵֽ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם1This could mean: (1) to make the ship lighter so that it would float better, Alternate translation: “to help the ship float better” or (2) to lighten or relieve a dangerous situation, Alternate translation: “to lessen the danger they were in”
251:5uzt4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundוְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה יָרַד֙ אֶל־יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַ⁠סְּפִינָ֔ה וַ⁠יִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַ⁠יֵּרָדַֽם1This sentence provides background information about Jonah's circumstances to help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, present this information in a way that makes it clear that this is background information and that Jonah had already done this before the storm started.
261:5f63rיַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַ⁠סְּפִינָ֔ה1Alternate translation: “the interior of the ship”
271:5g4y4וַ⁠יִּשְׁכַּ֖ב וַ⁠יֵּרָדַֽם1Alternate translation: “and was lying there fast asleep” or “and lay sound asleep”
281:6laa3rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownוַ⁠יִּקְרַ֤ב אֵלָי⁠ו֙ רַ֣ב הַ⁠חֹבֵ֔ל וַ⁠יֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖⁠וֹ1The **captain** of the ship is the person who is in charge of the ship and the **crew**. The **crew** is another name for the sailors. If your readers would not be familiar with these occupations, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term, or a description. Alternate translation: “Then the man in charge of the men working on the ship came to Jonah and said”
291:6yx7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionמַה־לְּ⁠ךָ֣ נִרְדָּ֑ם1The captain is using the question form to scold Jonah. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Stop sleeping!” or “You should not be sleeping!”
301:6bd4fק֚וּם1While this phrase was used as an idiom in [1:2](../01/02.md) and [1:3](../01/03.md), meaning to prepare to begin the activity which was stated next, here the captain is telling Jonah literally to get up from sleeping.
311:6k7a5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomקְרָ֣א אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֔י⁠ךָ1To **Cry out to** someone means to loudly ask him for help. Alternate translation: “Pray to your god”
321:6sk7irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitאוּלַ֞י יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָ֖⁠נוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד1The implication is that Jonah's god might not only notice them but save them. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Maybe your god will hear and save us so that we will not die”
331:7sc57rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗⁠הוּ1The phrase **every man said to his friend** is an idiom expressing reciprocal action. This means that the group together decided to do this. Alternate translation: “Then the sailors all said to each other”
341:7m93hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomלְכוּ֙ וְ⁠נַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת1Here, **Come** is an idiom that invites the hearer to begin an action with the speaker that the speaker names next. If **Come** does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning, state the meaning plainly, or omit the word. Alternate translation: “Listen! We should cast lots” or “We should do this: cast lots”
351:7t5p9rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownוְ⁠נַפִּ֣ילָה גֽוֹרָל֔וֹת1We do not know the exact method that the sailors used to cast lots. It may have been with marked stones or pieces of wood. It was their method of getting a god to answer a question. If you have a name in your language for casting lots to get an answer to a question, consider using it here.
361:7l5xqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠נֵ֣דְעָ֔ה בְּ⁠שֶׁ⁠לְּ⁠מִ֛י הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ1The phrase **so that we may know** implies that the men believed that the gods would control how the lots fell in order to tell them what they wanted to know. This was a form of divination. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “so that the gods can tell us who has caused this trouble”
371:7at67rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יִּפֹּ֥ל הַ⁠גּוֹרָ֖ל עַל־יוֹנָֽה1The expression **the lot fell on Jonah** is an idiom meaning that when the men cast lots, the result indicated Jonah. This does not mean that the lot literally fell down on top of Jonah. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the lot showed that Jonah was the guilty person”
381:8wkh6rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsוַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔י⁠ו1Here, **they** refers back to the group of sailors, referred to as “every man” in verse 7, and **him** refers to Jonah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could repeat Jonah's name and the term that you are using for the sailors here. Alternate translation: “Then the men who were working on the ship said to Jonah”
391:8e7wbהַגִּידָ⁠ה־נָּ֣א לָ֔⁠נוּ בַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֛ר לְ⁠מִי־הָ⁠רָעָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּ֖את לָ֑⁠נוּ1Alternate translation: “Reveal to us who caused this bad thing that is happening to us”
401:9wav5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomיְהוָ֞ה & אֲנִ֣י יָרֵ֔א1Here, **I fear Yahweh** is an idiom that means “I worship Yahweh and not any other god.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am a worshipper of Yahweh”
411:10zi05rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryוַ⁠יִּֽירְא֤וּ הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁים֙ יִרְאָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה1Here, **afraid with great fear** is an emphatic construction that uses a verb and its object that come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Then the men were extremely frightened”
421:10peg3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionמַה־זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑יתָ1The men on the ship used a rhetorical question to show how afraid and angry they were that Jonah was causing so much trouble for all of them. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You have done a terrible thing!”
431:10us1rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙1This is an expression that refers to the face of Yahweh to represent his presence. The idea of Yahwehs presence also includes his knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. By running away, Jonah is hoping that Yahweh will not notice that he is disobeying. Alternate translation: “from the presence of Yahweh”
441:10jdrbrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-backgroundכִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָ⁠הֶֽם1This verse provides background information about Jonah's disobedience to help readers understand why the sailors were afraid. The sailors reacted in fear because Jonah had already told them that he was running away from Yahweh, the God he worshiped. In your translation, present this information in a way that makes it clear that this is background information. Alternatively, place this information before the first sentence about the sailors being afraid.
451:10go19rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureכִּֽי־יָדְע֣וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֗ים כִּֽי־מִ⁠לִּ⁠פְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ ה֣וּא בֹרֵ֔חַ כִּ֥י הִגִּ֖יד לָ⁠הֶֽם1Jonah told the sailors **that he was running away from before the face of Yahweh** before they reacted **with great fear**. If it is more natural in your language to put information in the order that it happened, you can put this sentence before the other and translate it as follows. Alternate translation: “Jonah told the men that he was running away from before the face of Yahweh”
461:11kb4crc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsוַ⁠יֹּאמְר֤וּ אֵלָי⁠ו֙1The pronoun **they** refers to the sailors. Alternate translation: “Then the sailors said to Jonah” or “Then the men on the ship said to Jonah”
471:11ik6drc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוְ⁠יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מֵֽ⁠עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ1Here, **calm down from upon us** is an idiom that means “calm down for our benefit.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that the sea will calm down for us” or “in order to make the sea become calm”
481:11wxr7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomהַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר1Here, **going forward and storming** is an idiom that means that the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the strength of the storm was increasing”
491:11dji8rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֤וּ אֵלָי⁠ו֙ מַה־נַּ֣עֲשֶׂה לָּ֔⁠ךְ וְ⁠יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מֵֽ⁠עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ כִּ֥י הַ⁠יָּ֖ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵֽר1If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “The sea was going forward and storming. Therefore, they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down from upon us”
501:12h982כִּ֚י יוֹדֵ֣עַ אָ֔נִי כִּ֣י בְ⁠שֶׁ⁠לִּ֔⁠י הַ⁠סַּ֧עַר הַ⁠גָּד֛וֹל הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם1Alternate translation: “because I know that this huge storm is my fault”
511:12khbqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְ⁠יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מֵֽ⁠עֲלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם1See how you translated the idiom **calm down from upon** in [verse 11](../01/11.md).
521:13m3iqrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomהַ⁠יָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְ⁠סֹעֵ֖ר1 See how you translated this idiom in [1:11](../01/11.md). Alternate translation: “the storm became worse, and even taller waves broke”
531:14ap77rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultוַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ1Here, **So** indicates that what follows is a result of what came before. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a result of what came before. Alternate translation: “Because of that they called out” or “Because the sea became more violent, they called loudly”
541:14q2xqוַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה1Alternate translation: “Therefore, the men prayed loudly to Yahweh”
551:14jdr3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamationsאָנָּ֤ה1**Ah!** is an exclamation that is expressing intense desperation. Use an exclamation that would communicate that meaning in your language.
561:14wz6zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitאַל־נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּ⁠נֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה1In this context, **the life of this man** means “taking the life of this man.” You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “please do not kill us for taking the life of this man” or “even though we are going to cause this man to die, please do not kill us”
571:14vv5trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוְ⁠אַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא1Here, **do not put innocent blood upon us** is an idiom that means ““do not consider us guilty of killing an innocent person.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and please do not blame us for his death” or “and do not hold us accountable for having killed someone who did not deserve to die”
581:14qnsrrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismאַל־נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּ⁠נֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה וְ⁠אַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא1These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word other than **and** in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “please do not let us perish on account of the life of this man; that is, do not put innocent blood upon us”
591:14ab73rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-resultאָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אַל־נָ֣א נֹאבְדָ֗ה בְּ⁠נֶ֨פֶשׁ֙ הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה וְ⁠אַל־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑יא כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָפַ֖צְתָּ עָשִֽׂיתָ1If it would be more natural in your language, you could move the last phrase to the first part of what the sailors pray, since this phrase gives the reason for what the rest of the prayer describes. Alternate translation: “Ah! You, Yahweh, have chosen to do things in this way. Therefore, Yahweh, please do not let us perish on account of the life of this man, and do not put innocent blood upon us” or “Ah! You, Yahweh, have caused all of this to happen, so Yahweh, please do not let us perish on account of the life of this man, and do not put innocent blood upon us”
601:15l9cfrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationוַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ1Here, **the sea** is spoken of as if it were a person who could rage. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the sea stopped moving violently”
611:15ql7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesוַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠יָּ֖ם מִ⁠זַּעְפּֽ⁠וֹ1If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative words **ceased** and **raging**. Alternate translation: “and the sea became still”
621:16r3gsrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryוַ⁠יִּֽירְא֧וּ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֛ים יִרְאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה1Here, **feared … with great fear** is an emphatic construction that uses a verb and its object that come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. See how you translated this phrase in [verse 10](../01/10.md), but be aware that you may want a different translation here for the different kind of fear that this is. The danger of the storm is past; now they are in awe of Yahweh's power. Alternate translation: “then the men became greatly awed at Yahwehs power” or “then the men worshiped Yahweh with great awe”
631:16lj3zrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryוַ⁠יִּֽזְבְּחוּ־זֶ֨בַח֙ לַֽ⁠יהוָ֔ה וַֽ⁠יִּדְּר֖וּ נְדָרִֽים1Here, both **sacrificed a sacrifice** and **vowed vows** use a verb and its object that come from the same root to emphasize the ideas. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “and they offered up a sacrifice to Yahweh and made vows to him”
641:17q87yוַ⁠יְמַ֤ן יְהוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִ⁠בְלֹ֖עַ אֶת־יוֹנָ֑ה וַ⁠יְהִ֤י יוֹנָה֙ בִּ⁠מְעֵ֣י הַ⁠דָּ֔ג שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּ⁠שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֽוֹת0Some versions number this verse as the first verse of chapter 2. You may want to number the verses according to the main version that your language group uses.
651:17jdr4rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַ⁠יְמַ֤ן יְהוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִ⁠בְלֹ֖עַ אֶת־יוֹנָ֑ה1The author is using the word translated **Now** to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. This new event starts the next part of the story, where Yahweh saves Jonah from the sea, and Jonah prays.
662:introae4k0# Jonah 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter begins with a prayer by Jonah, and many translators have chosen to set it apart by setting its lines farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. Also, the prayer is in the style of poetry. To show that, many translations put each line of the poem on a separate line. Translators can follow these practices, but they are not obligated to do so. You may wish to follow the format of a well-known translation in your area.\n\n## Special Concepts in this Chapter\n\n### Sea\n\nThis chapter contains many terms that describe the sea. If people who speak your language are unfamiliar with the sea, you will need to discuss how to describe these things. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter\n\n### Poetic Imagery\n\nPrayers in Scripture are often expressed in poetry. Poetry frequently uses metaphors and other imagery to more powerfully communicate very emotional topics. For example, Jonah thought he would die in a fish in the sea, and so he compares being trapped there as being surrounded by the bars of the earth and being in the “belly of Sheol.” Jonah is overwhelmed by the depth of the sea and expresses this by speaking about being at the “base of the mountains.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n## Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter\n\n### Parallelism\n\nHebrew poetry often expresses something in one line and then expresses that same thought in another line but using different words. This emphasizes the ideas in the parallel lines. For example, verse 2 has two halves that are saying basically the same thing. \n\nI cried out to Yahweh from my distress, \n and he answered me;\nfrom the belly of Sheol I cried out; \n you heard my voice.\n\nEach half also has two parts. The first part of each half is saying the same thing as the other, and the second part of each half is also saying the same thing as each other. If your language would not repeat ideas like this in poetry, see: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] for ideas for how to translate this kind of poetry.\n\n
672:1alr2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionיְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָ֑י⁠ו1Here, the author is using the possessive form to describe **Yahweh** as the God whom Jonah worshiped. The word **his** does not mean that Jonah owned God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, the God to whom he belonged,”
682:2al5bוַ⁠יֹּ֗אמֶר1Alternate translation: “Jonah said”
692:2jdrcrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryקָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי1This is poetic language. If your language has a way to indicate poetry, you could use it here. This line begins a poem describing Jonahs experience in the fish, his prayer, and Gods answer. The poem describes these things from a time after they had already happened.
702:2s7firc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personקָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי1In this poem that is also a prayer, Jonah refers to God in both the third person (using “he”) and the first person (using “you”). If this would not be natural in your language, you could use the first person form throughout the poem. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, I cried out to you during my distress, and you answered me”
712:2ogezrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismקָ֠רָאתִי מִ⁠צָּ֥רָה לִ֛⁠י אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנֵ֑⁠נִי מִ⁠בֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל שִׁוַּ֖עְתִּי שָׁמַ֥עְתָּ קוֹלִֽ⁠י1The two halves of this verse mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases in a way that would show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “I cried out to Yahweh from my distress, and he answered me; that is,\nfrom the belly of Sheol I cried out, and you heard my voice”
722:2w8wnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorמִ⁠בֶּ֧טֶן שְׁא֛וֹל1Here Jonah is speaking of the fish's belly as though it were **Sheol**, that is, the place of the dead. Jonah is expressing that he believed that this is where he would die very soon. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “When I was almost dead”
732:2ab77rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesשְׁא֛וֹל1**Sheol** was the name of the place where people went after they died. It was thought to be a shadowy world located somewhere under the ground. The New Testament equivalent seems to be “Hades,” where the dead wait for judgment (see Rev. 20:13). If your language has a word for this place, you may want to use it here, or borrow the word “Sheol.”
742:2jdrdrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomשָׁמַ֥עְתָּ קוֹלִֽ⁠י1Here, **you heard my voice** is equivalent to the phrase “he answered me” in the previous line of poetry. In this context, Jonah is expressing that Yahweh both heard him and acted to save him. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “You heard me and acted to save to me”
752:3glp2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorבִּ⁠לְבַ֣ב יַמִּ֔ים1Here the term **heart** is a metaphor for the center of something. To be in **the heart of the seas** means to be completely surrounded by sea water. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “under the sea water”
762:3twterc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-pluralיַמִּ֔ים1Here, Jonah refers to the sea by using the plural **seas** to intensify the idea. If it would be more natural in your language, you can use the singular and intensify the idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the vast ocean”
772:3p8fdוְ⁠נָהָ֖ר יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי1Alternate translation: “and the sea water flowed all around me”
782:3c6jxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doubletמִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ1The terms **billows** and **waves** mean similar things. Both of these are disturbances on the surface of the ocean. Jonah is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could use a single term and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “your powerful waves”
792:3xoo2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionמִשְׁבָּרֶ֥י⁠ךָ וְ⁠גַלֶּ֖י⁠ךָ1Here, Jonah is using the possessive form **your** to describe the **billows** and **waves** because they were caused by God. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could say this in a more natural way. Alternate translation: “the billows and waves that you created”
802:4jdr5rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrastוַ⁠אֲנִ֣י1**But I** shows that there is a contrast between the actions of Yahweh, which Jonah had just talked about, and his own response, which he will talk about now. In your translation, indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “On my part”
812:4x1w9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveנִגְרַ֖שְׁתִּי1If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “You drove me out”
822:4z1yxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyמִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ1Here, **eyes** is a metonym meaning seeing, and seeing is a metonym for the knowledge, notice, and attention of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from before you” or “from your presence” or “to where you do not notice me”
832:4ua1urc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrastאַ֚ךְ1Here, **yet** indicates a contrast between Jonah being driven away from God and Jonah's hope to see the temple again. In your translation, indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “text”
842:5abc2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismאֲפָפ֤וּ⁠נִי מַ֨יִם֙ עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ תְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי1These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases in a way that shows that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: “Water had closed around me even as far as life, indeed, the deep was surrounding me”
852:5ca31עַד־נֶ֔פֶשׁ1Here the Hebrew term **life** can also possibly mean “neck” or “soul.” In any case, the water was threatening to end his life. Alternate translation: “up to my neck” or “as far as my soul”
862:5nr3vתְּה֖וֹם יְסֹבְבֵ֑⁠נִי1Alternate translation: “deep water was all around me”
872:5p1fwrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownס֖וּף1**Seaweed** is a kind of long, stringy plant that grows in the sea.
882:6z36irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorהָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ בְּרִחֶ֥י⁠הָ בַעֲדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם1Here Jonah is speaking of **the earth** under the water as if it had **bars** like a prison. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the earth was like a prison that was about to lock me in forever”
892:6c8v0rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyחַיַּ֖⁠י1Here, **life** represents Jonah himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “me, alive”
902:6dc3rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorוַ⁠תַּ֧עַל מִ⁠שַּׁ֛חַת חַיַּ֖⁠י1Here, the term **pit** has a double meaning. Jonah is in a deep place that could be called a pit, and this is also a word that is used in poetry for the place of the dead. Jonah is expressing that he felt certain that he would die in this place. Alternate translation: “but you saved my life from the place of the dead”
912:6i3mxrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructureיְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽ⁠י1If it would be more natural in your language, you could put this phrase at the beginning of the sentence after **but** or **you**.
922:6geydrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possessionאֱלֹהָֽ⁠י1Here, Jonah is using the possessive form **my** to describe **God**. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “the God to whom I belong”
932:7jdr6בְּ⁠הִתְעַטֵּ֤ף עָלַ⁠י֙ נַפְשִׁ֔⁠י1This phrase could mean that: (1) Jonah was already in the process of dying when he remembered Yahweh. Alternate translation: “when my life was fainting away from me” (2) Jonah had given up hope of being rescued and resigned himself to the fact that he would die. Alternate translation: “when my spirit inside me had fainted”
942:7l2b6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitאֶת־יְהוָ֖ה זָכָ֑רְתִּי1The implication is that when Jonah **remembered** Yahweh, he also prayed to him. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I thought of Yahweh and asked him to help me”
952:7bql5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personאֶת־יְהוָ֖ה זָכָ֑רְתִּי1Jonah changes to talking about Yahweh in the third person here, and then continues to talk to him in the second person in the rest of the prayer. If this would not be natural in your language, you could use the second person form here. Alternate translation: “I remembered you, Yahweh”
962:7ue9grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorוַ⁠תָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ תְּפִלָּתִ֔⁠י אֶל־הֵיכַ֖ל קָדְשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ1Jonah speaks as if his **prayer** could travel to God and his temple. This means that God heard his prayer and responded to it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “then you in your holy temple heard my prayer”
972:8u1l9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomמְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים הַבְלֵי־שָׁ֑וְא1Here the term **empty vanities** is probably an idiom referring to idols of false gods. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Those who give attention to useless idols” or “Those who pay attention to useless gods”
982:8fac9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitחַסְדָּ֖⁠ם יַעֲזֹֽבוּ1Here, **covenant faithfulness** could refer to: (1) the faithfulness of God to his people. Alternate translation: “are rejecting you, who would be faithful to them” (2) the faithfulness of the people to God. Alternate translation: “are abandoning their commitment to you”
992:9q3ybrc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrastוַ⁠אֲנִ֗י1This expression shows that there is a contrast between Jonah himself and the people about whom Jonah had just spoken. They paid attention to useless gods, but he would worship Yahweh. In your translation, indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “But as for me”
1002:9nfd2rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomבְּ⁠ק֤וֹל תּוֹדָה֙ 1The phrase **with a voice of thanksgiving** is an idiom that means “while praising God.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. It is not clear whether Jonah planned to thank God by singing or shouting joyfully. Alternate translation: “while praising you out loud”
1012:9jdrhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomיְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה1Here, **Salvation belongs to Yahweh** is an idiom that means “only Yahweh can save.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Salvation comes from Yahweh” or “Yahweh is the One who saves”
1022:9y5skrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123personיְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה1Here Jonah makes a statement about Yahweh in the third person as part of his prayer to Yahweh. If this would not be natural in your language, you could add “you” to make it the second person form. See also the Note concerning the phrase “I cried out to Yahweh from my distress … ” in [2:2](../02/02/jdrc). Alternate translation: “Salvation belongs to you, Yahweh”
1032:9r4j4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsיְשׁוּעָ֖תָ⁠ה לַ⁠יהוָֽה1If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of the word **Salvation**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “save.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh is the one who saves people”
1042:10qrhhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה לַ⁠דָּ֑ג1The content of what **Yahweh spoke** was a command to vomit up Jonah. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh told the fish to vomit up Jonah onto the land”
1052:10na0frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsוַ⁠יֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה לַ⁠דָּ֑ג1If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh said to the fish, Vomit up Jonah onto the dry land
1062:10dz3jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoאֶל־הַ⁠יַּבָּשָֽׁה1In some languages it would be unnecessary or unnatural to express that the **land** was **dry**. If this is true of your language, you could use a more natural expression for the land at the edge of the sea. Alternate translation: “upon the ground” or “onto the shore”
1073:1jdr7rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַ⁠יְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה1This phrase introduces the second half of the story of Jonah. The same phrase introduced the first half of the story in [1:1](../01/01.md) See how you translated it there.
1083:1xj6nrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יְהִ֧י דְבַר־יְהוָ֛ה1This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke in some way. See how you translated this in [1:1](../01/01.md). Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh spoke his message”
1093:2cl3brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomק֛וּם1**Get up** is an idiom that means that Jonah should take action and obey the next command, which is “go.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. See how you translated this in [1:2](../01/02.md) and [1:3](../01/03.md). Alternate translation: “Look alive” or “prepare yourself”
1103:2ve4irc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitהָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה1Here, as in [1:2](../01/02.md), **great** means both large and important. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the large and important city”
1113:2ir79rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyוִּ⁠קְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ אֶת־הַ⁠קְּרִיאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י דֹּבֵ֥ר אֵלֶֽי⁠ךָ1Here, **it** refers to the city of **Nineveh**, which represents the people who live there. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and tell the people there what I tell you to tell them”
1123:3k7k9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יָּ֣קָם יוֹנָ֗ה וַ⁠יֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־נִֽינְוֶ֖ה כִּ⁠דְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה1Here the words **got up** mean that Jonah “took action” in response to Gods command to go as he did in [1:3](../01/03.md), but this time he obeyed instead of disobeying . If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This time Jonah obeyed Yahweh and went to Nineveh” or “So Jonah left the beach and went to Nineveh, as Yahweh had commanded him”
1133:3g4nkrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyכִּ⁠דְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה1Here, **the word of Yahweh** represents Yahweh himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “as Yahweh had commanded him”
1143:3dt1brc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-backgroundוְ⁠נִֽינְוֵ֗ה הָיְתָ֤ה עִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים1This sentence provides background information about the city of Nineveh to help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, present this information in a way that makes it clear that this is background information, such as introducing it with a word such as **Now**.
1153:3jd8rrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomעִיר־גְּדוֹלָה֙ לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִ֔ים1Here, because of the phrase, **a journey of three days**, the focus of **great** seems to be the size of the city. The phrase **great to God** is an idiom that means “extremely large.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “an enormous city”
1163:3ye82מַהֲלַ֖ךְ שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים1This could mean: (1) that a person had to walk for three days to completely go through the city from one side of the city to the opposite side. Alternate translation: “a city so large that it would take a person three days to walk through it” (2) that it took three days to see the whole city. Alternate translation: “a city so large that it would take a person three days to see it all”
1173:4r2alוַ⁠יָּ֤חֶל יוֹנָה֙ לָ⁠ב֣וֹא בָ⁠עִ֔יר מַהֲלַ֖ךְ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד וַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙1The phrase **a journey of one day** could mean: (1) Jonah walked a days journey into the city and then he started calling out. Alternate translation: “So Jonah walked into the city for one day, and then he called out” (2) while Jonah was walking through the city on the first day, he started calling out. Alternate translation: “So Jonah began walking into the city for one day, and as he went he called out”
1183:4r94krc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoוַ⁠יִּקְרָא֙ וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֔ר1The expression **called out and said** contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in some languages. If this is true of your language, you could shorten the expression. Alternate translation: “and he proclaimed” or “and he shouted”
1193:4ab78ע֚וֹד אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם1Alternate translation: “After 40 days” or “When 40 days have passed”
1203:4q2ncrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersאַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם1Alternate translation: “40 days”
1213:4lywbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveוְ⁠נִֽינְוֵ֖ה נֶהְפָּֽכֶת1If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who will do the action, it is clear from the context that it will be God. Alternate translation: “then God will overthrow Nineveh”
1223:5h9drrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotationsאַנְשֵׁ֥י נִֽינְוֵ֖ה1Although the term **men** is masculine, here it has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: “the men and women”
1233:5ab90rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionוַ⁠יִּקְרְאוּ־צוֹם֙ וַ⁠יִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שַׂקִּ֔ים1Both fasting and wearing coarse cloth were symbolic actions that showed sadness or devotion to God or both. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain the significance of these actions in the text or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth to show that they were sorry for having sinned”
1243:5isk5מִ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֖⁠ם וְ⁠עַד־קְטַנָּֽ⁠ם1Alternate translation: “from the most significant to the least significant people” or “including all of the people, whether important or unimportant”
1253:6pna3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitהַ⁠דָּבָר֙1The author assumes that his readers will understand that this **word** is Jonah's message from God. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Jonahs message”
1263:6h9wzrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symactionוַ⁠יָּ֨קָם֙ מִ⁠כִּסְא֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יַּעֲבֵ֥ר אַדַּרְתּ֖⁠וֹ מֵֽ⁠עָלָ֑י⁠ו1That the king **rose up from his throne and he took off his robe** show that he was acting humbly. The throne and the royal robe were both symbols of his authority and power as king of a powerful nation. If the meaning of these actions would not be clear to your readers, you could explain it in the text or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “and he left his royal throne and removed his royal robe”
1273:7v29brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfoוַ⁠יַּזְעֵ֗ק וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ 1The expression **proclaimed and spoke** contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in some languages. If this is true of your language, you could shorten the expression. Alternate translation: “And he proclaimed” or “And he announced”
1283:7f798rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יַּזְעֵ֗ק וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ 1The implication is that the king sent messengers to make this proclamation. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And he commanded his messengers to proclaim”
1293:7zi06מִ⁠טַּ֧עַם הַ⁠מֶּ֛לֶךְ וּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו1Alternate translation: “a command with the full authority of the king and his officials”
1303:7n5fnrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownוּ⁠גְדֹלָ֖י⁠ו1The term **nobles** refers to important men who helped the king rule the city. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of person, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “and his officers”
1313:7xw6crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknownהַ⁠בָּקָ֣ר וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּ֗אן1This refers to two groups of animals that people care for. A **herd** is made up of large livestock (such as oxen or cattle) and a **flock** is made up of small livestock (such as sheep or goats). If your readers would not be familiar with these terms, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “cattle or sheep”
1323:8jh7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠יִקְרְא֥וּ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠חָזְקָ֑ה1The writer assumes that his readers will understand what the people were to pray for. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and they must cry out loudly to God and ask for mercy” or “and they must pray earnestly to God that he would be merciful to them”
1333:8si34rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsוְ⁠יִקְרְא֥וּ1The pronoun **they** probably refers to the people, not to the animals. If this is not clear for your readers, you could include this information. Alternate translation: “and the people must cry out”
1343:9wbt6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionמִֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ1The king used this rhetorical question to get the people to think about something that is possible but uncertain: that if they would stop sinning, God might not kill them. It could be translated as a statement: “We do not know.” Or it could be stated as a word and be part of the next sentence: “Perhaps”
1353:9z3jjrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorיָשׁ֔וּב וְ⁠נִחַ֖ם הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים1Here the author speaks of God changing his mind about bringing judgment as if God were turning around and walking in the opposite direction. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This god may decide instead to have compassion” or “This god may do the opposite of what he said and be merciful”
1363:9jdrgrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomמֵ⁠חֲר֥וֹן אַפּ֖⁠וֹ1Here **the burning of his nose** is an idiom meaning that the person is angry. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the fire of his belly” or “from his anger”
1373:9uvp9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesוְ⁠לֹ֥א נֹאבֵֽד1If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative particle **not** and the negative word **perish**. Alternate translation: “so that we will live” or “and spare our lives”
1383:10w3uuוַ⁠יַּ֤רְא הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶֽת־מַ֣עֲשֵׂי⁠הֶ֔ם כִּי־שָׁ֖בוּ מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֣⁠ם הָ⁠רָעָ֑ה1Alternate translation: “God saw that they stopped doing evil actions”
1393:10ab85rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitעַל־הָ⁠רָעָ֛ה1The word translated as “evil” here is very broad, including moral evil, physical evil, and everything that is bad. It is the same word used in the previous sentence (and verse 8) to describe the actions of the Ninevites. The author is showing that when people repent of moral evil, God relents from doing physical evil (punishment). God never does moral evil. If this is clear in your language, you may want to use the same word in both sentences. If that is not clear, you may want to use different words. Alternate translation: “in regard to the punishment”
1403:10yijnrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladjהָ⁠רָעָ֛ה1Here the author is using the adjective **evil** as a noun to refer to an evil thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “the evil thing” or “the terrible action”
1413:10it1arc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠לֹ֥א עָשָֽׂה1Here, what God **did not do** could be made explicit if it would be helpful in your language. Alternate translation: “and he did not punish them” or “and he did not destroy them”
1424:introys570# Jonah 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nJonah continues the narrative and brings the book to an unusual conclusion, ending it with a question from God. This emphasizes that the book is not really about Jonah. It is about Gods desire to be merciful to everyone, whether Jew or Gentile. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy]])\n\n## Special Concepts in this Chapter\n\n### Prophecy Delayed\n\nAccording to the law of Moses, a prophet must prophesy what Yahweh tells him to prophesy, and his words must come true. If that did not happen, the penalty was death because that shows that he was not a real prophet. But when Jonah told the city of Nineveh that it was going to be destroyed in 40 days, it did not happen at that time. This is because God reserves the right to be merciful. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n### Jonahs Anger\n\nWhen God did not destroy Nineveh, Jonah was angry with God because Jonah hated the people of Nineveh. They were enemies of Israel. But God wanted Jonah and the readers of this book to learn that God loves all people.\n\n### Characteristics of God\n\nIn verse 2, Jonah attributes a series of characteristics to God. A Jewish reader of this book would recognize this as the description that God used about himself when speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai ([See Exodus 34:6-7\n](Exo/34/6.md)). \n\n### Gods grace\n\nWhen Jonah went outside the city, he got very hot; God graciously provided some relief through the plant. God was trying to teach Jonah that he is a merciful God through this object lesson. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace]])\n\n## Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nIn this chapter, Jonah uses a rhetorical question to show how angry he is at Yahweh. Yahweh then uses a series of three rhetorical questions to teach Jonah about the attitude that he should have. If your language would not use rhetorical questions for these purposes, then use a more natural form. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\n\n## Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter\n\n### Evil\n\nThe Hebrew word translated as “evil” in the ULT is very broad, including moral evil, physical evil, and everything that is bad. God never does moral evil. In verse 1, the author says that Jonah considered God's act of mercy in sparing the people of Nineveh to be evil. In verse 2, Jonah describes God as “relenting from evil.” In verse 6, Jonah's situation and attitude are described as evil. This is after the actions of the Ninevites are described as evil in [1:2](../01/02.md), [3:8](../03/08.md), and [3:10](../03/10.md), and the situation of the sailors in [1:7](../01/07.md). The ULT translates the word as “evil” in each place to show the irony that the author wants to convey by using the same Hebrew word for each different bad thing in the book and for one good thing—God's mercy on Nineveh (from Jonah's perspective). If your language would not use the same word for both moral and physical evil, you will want to use different words for each of them.
1434:1jdr8rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-neweventוַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה1This sentence introduces the next part of the story, in which Jonah responds to God because God saved the city of Nineveh. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: “Now this was evil to Jonah” or “But for Jonah, this was evil”
1444:1m7tyrc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronounsוַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע1The pronoun **this** refers to the fact that God did not destroy Nineveh. If this is not clear for your readers, you could say that here. Alternate translation: “But the fact that God spared Nineveh was evil”
1454:1nh8drc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryוַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע אֶל־יוֹנָ֖ה רָעָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה1Here, **this was evil to Jonah, a great evil** is an emphatic construction that uses a verb and its object that come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “But this was exceedingly evil to Jonah”
1464:1abc3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomוַ⁠יִּ֖חַר לֽ⁠וֹ1The phrase **it burned to him** is an idiom that speaks of Jonahs anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. Alternate translation: “and he was very angry”
1474:2q6bbrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamationsאָנָּ֤ה1This is an exclamation that is emphasizing intense frustration. Use an exclamation that would communicate that meaning in your language. Alternate translation: “Oh” or “I knew it”
1484:2k24brc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionיְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י1Jonah used this rhetorical question to tell God how angry he was. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, this is what I said when I was still in my own country”
1494:2ab79rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitיְהוָה֙ הֲ⁠לוֹא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗⁠י עַד־הֱיוֹתִ⁠י֙ עַל־אַדְמָתִ֔⁠י1The implication is that Jonah correctly foretold what would happen. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, when I was still in my own country, did I not say that if I warned the people of Nineveh, they might repent, and you would not destroy them”
1504:2ab81rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomאֶ֤רֶךְ אַפַּ֨יִם֙1The phrase **long of nostrils** is an idiom meaning that Yahweh does not get angry quickly. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “with a cool head” or “slow to get angry” or “very patient”
1514:2jv5cוְ⁠רַב־חֶ֔סֶד1Alternate translation: “and very faithful” or “and full of love for your people”
1524:2wl7jrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוְ⁠נִחָ֖ם עַל־הָ⁠רָעָֽה1Here, **evil** refers to the physical destruction of the city of Nineveh and its people. It does not refer to moral evil. In this context, this phrase means that God feels sadness about causing bad things to happen to people who sin, and he acts differently when sinners repent of their sin. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. See the discussion about evil in the chapter introduction, and how you translated this word in [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “and you feel sadness about causing disaster for sinners” or “and you decide not to punish sinners who repent”
1534:3dm5trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitקַח־נָ֥א אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖⁠י מִמֶּ֑⁠נִּי1The implication is that Jonah wanted to die because God will not punish his former enemies. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “since you will not destroy Nineveh as you said you would, please allow me to die”
1544:3yk5vrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsכִּ֛י ט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י1If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **death** and **life**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “for I would prefer to die rather than to live” or “because I want to die. I do not want to live”
1554:4ab82rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ1The phrase **it burns to you** is an idiom that speaks of Jonahs anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. See how you translated it in [4:1](../04/01.md). Alternate translation: “is it right for you to be angry about this”
1564:4ab83rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ1The reason for Jonahs anger can be made explicit. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Is it right for you to be angry that I did not destroy Nineveh”
1574:4tti6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֖ב חָ֥רָה לָֽ⁠ךְ1Yahweh is using the question form to teach Jonah that he is not right to be angry. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “It is not right that it burns to you”
1584:5af46rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitמַה־יִּהְיֶ֖ה בָּ⁠עִֽיר1The implication is that Jonah wanted to see whether God would destroy the city or not. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “what would become of the city” or “what God would do to the city”
1594:6i4r4מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠יוֹנָ֗ה לִֽ⁠הְי֥וֹת צֵל֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ1Alternate translation: “over Jonahs head for shade”
1604:6t21kלְ⁠הַצִּ֥יל ל֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠רָֽעָת֑⁠וֹ1Here the term **evil** could be referring to one of two things (or both at the same time). It could be referring to: (1) Jonah's physical discomfort or distress, meaning the intense heat of the sun shining on Jonahs head. (2) Jonahs wrong attitude concerning Gods decision not to destroy Nineveh. If both meanings can be preserved by using a general term, that is preferable. Alternate translation: “in order to save Jonah from his bad situation”
1614:6ynu6rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetryוַ⁠יִּשְׂמַ֥ח יוֹנָ֛ה & שִׂמְחָ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה1Here, **rejoiced with great rejoicing** is an emphatic construction that uses a verb and its object that come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “And Jonah was extremely pleased”
1624:7t7ilוַ⁠יְמַ֤ן הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת1Alternate translation: “then God sent a worm”
1634:7d16mrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יִּיבָֽשׁ1The implication of **it withered** is that the plant became dry and died and would no longer shelter Jonah from the hot sun. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “so that the plant died”
1644:8jdr9rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-backgroundוַ⁠יְהִ֣י׀ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ1This clause provides background information about the time of day to help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, present this information in a way that makes it clear that this is background information. Alternate translation: “And then, after the sun had come up”
1654:8hmi4rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יְמַ֨ן אֱלֹהִ֜ים ר֤וּחַ קָדִים֙ חֲרִישִׁ֔ית1The implication is that **a hot east wind** will make Jonah very uncomfortable. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. If “wind” in your language can only mean a cool air, then you can try this alternate translation: “God sent a great warmth from the east to Jonah”
1664:8mnu9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personificationוַ⁠תַּ֥ךְ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ עַל1Here, the author speaks of **the sun** as if it were a person who could **beat on** another person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the sun was very hot on” or “and the sun sent its great heat onto”
1674:8u2plrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdocheעַל־רֹ֥אשׁ יוֹנָ֖ה1The phrase **on the head of Jonah** may have a literal meaning or a figurative meaning. Perhaps Jonah felt the heat most on his head, or perhaps the phrase **the head of Jonah** means Jonahs entire body. Alternate translation: “on Jonah”
1684:8z95vוַ⁠יִּתְעַלָּ֑ף1Alternate translation: “and he became very weak” or “and he lost his strength”
1694:8ab87rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotationsוַ⁠יִּשְׁאַ֤ל אֶת־נַפְשׁ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠מ֔וּת1If it would be more natural in your language, you could express this as a direct quotation either addressed to himself or, as in [4:3](../04/03.md), to God. Alternate translation: “Then he told himself, I want to die” or “Then he requested of God, Let me die
1704:8eln6rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnounsט֥וֹב מוֹתִ֖⁠י מֵ⁠חַיָּֽ⁠י1If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **death** and **life**, you could express the same ideas in other ways. See how you translated this in [4:3](../04/03/yk5v). Alternate translation: “I would rather die than live” or “I want to die; I do not want to live”
1714:9w24zrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionהַ⁠הֵיטֵ֥ב חָרָֽה־לְ⁠ךָ֖ עַל־הַ⁠קִּֽיקָי֑וֹן1God is using the question form to lead Jonah to draw a conclusion about his selfish attitude. God is not seeking information. Since Jonah answers the question, it would be good to keep the question form if that would be natural in your language. But if you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement. Alternate translation: “It is not right that it burns to you about the plant”
1724:9ri6lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomחָרָֽה־לְ⁠ךָ֖ & חָֽרָה־לִ֖⁠י1The phrases **it burns to you** and **it burns to me** are examples of an idiom that speaks of Jonahs anger as if it were a fire burning inside him. See how you translated this idiom in [4:1](../04/01.md).
1734:10gkz7rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitוַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה1Here Yahweh is speaking to Jonah. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Yahweh said to Jonah”
1744:10ab88rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomשֶׁ⁠בִּן־לַ֥יְלָה הָיָ֖ה וּ⁠בִן־לַ֥יְלָה אָבָֽד1The expression **son of** describes a person or thing which shares the qualities of something else. This idiom, **son of a night** means that the plant existed only briefly. If it would be helpful, you could use an equivalent idiom from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it grew in one night and died the next” or “it grew quickly and died just as quickly”
1754:11ecl1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionוַֽ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אָח֔וּס עַל־נִינְוֵ֖ה הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩ מִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ אָדָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ וּ⁠בְהֵמָ֖ה רַבָּֽה1God is using the question form to emphasize his claim that he should have compassion on Nineveh. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I certainly should have compassion for Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left hand, and also many cattle!”
1764:11dqi1rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestionאֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־בָּ֡⁠הּ הַרְבֵּה֩1To make this verse simpler, it can be divided into two parts. The first part, ending with **the great city**, can be ended with a question mark. The rest of the verse can then be a statement, ending with a period. To do that, begin the second part as follows: Alternate translation: “There are more” or “It has more”
1774:11c3b7rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbersמִֽ⁠שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה רִבּ֜וֹ1Alternate translation: “one hundred twenty thousand”
1784:11j35hrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiomאֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יָדַע֙ בֵּין־יְמִינ֣⁠וֹ לִ⁠שְׂמֹאל֔⁠וֹ1This idiom means “who do not know the difference between right and wrong.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who do not know up from down” or “who do not know what is good for them”