But Jonah rose up 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 its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Tharsis. Which some take to be Tharsus of Cilicia, others to be Tartessus of Spain, others to be Carthage. Challoner.—Joppe, now Jaffa, ( Menochius.) a miserable seaport. Bible.—It was formerly the best near Jerusalem, (2 Chronicles 2:16) though very dangerous. Jos. Bel. iii. 15. or 29.—It is said to have been built before “the inundation” of the world, (Mela. i. 11) and was famous for the adventure of Andromeda, rescued by Perseus from a sea monster. Pliny verse 13. Calmet.—Lord. He feared being accounted a false prophet, ( Worthington.) knowing how much God was inclined to shew mercy, (Calmet. 4:2) and being disheartened at the difficulty of the undertaking, like Moses and Gedeon. Calmet.—He might also think that if the Ninivites repented, it would be a reflection on the obstinacy of the Jews. Saint Gregory Mor. vi. 13. Saint Jerome