Questions we Can Help you to Answer
Paper Instructions:
OLD TESTAMENT EXEGETICAL COMMENTARY: JONAH – INTRODUCTION AND OUTLINE
Like 40% of the Old Testament (OT), Jonah is a historical narrative. Historical narratives must not be allegorized or spiritualized because these approaches neglect the authorial meaning and historical context. Historical narratives record what happened and not necessarily what should have happened.
Most historical narratives have at least 3 components:
1) Characters (protagonist, antagonist);
2) A plot, which is often a crisis; and
3) A plot resolution.
In OT biblical literature, there are 3 levels of interpretive understanding for historical narratives:
1) The meaning of the text from the original author to the original recipients within their historical and culture context;
2) The meaning of the book within the canonical framework of God’s disclosure of Himself and His promised Messiah to humanity through the Abrahamic, Davidic, and Mosaic covenants by which He establishes Israel, resulting in the recognition and praise of His eternal glory (some call this salvation-history); and
3) The application of the text to Christians, by which the first 2 levels are understood within the framework of the New Covenant (Romans 15:4).
NOTE AND READ THE BELOW TO DO THE ASSIGNMENT
READ THROUGH THE BOOK OF JONAH IN THE BIBLE 2 TIMES AND IN 1 SITTING. THEN ANSWER THE BELOW QUESTIONS:
By taking notes with verse citations. The introduction must answer the following questions in short paragraphs that provide the historical background and setting of the book. This is not an introduction to a sermon or thesis statement. You are introducing the contextual background of the book so that the reader is prepared to understand the development of your commentary.
1. What was the historical background for the book? (Ex. Nineveh was a great city, Jonah 1:1).
2. What were the prevailing conditions for the people? (Ex. A storm at sea that was caused by the Lord, Jonah 1:4).
Read through Jonah 2 more times in 1 sitting. Answer the following questions by taking notes with verse citations.
3. Who are the main characters in the book? Is there 1 main character that stands out? Explain why you selected a particular main character. Just because the book is titled “Jonah” does not mean that Jonah must be the main character. The main character is most often the person who is the focus of the entire story.
4. What is the main subject of the book, or what is the author talking about? The main subject is the argument of the book. This is not the main application of the book, but the main subject from the original author to the original recipients. If this were a newspaper, it would be the main headline of the story. The video presentations for this course provide examples.
5. What themes are developed in the book? Identify these themes and list each occurrence. Pay special attention to the meaning of names and titles. Use a Bible dictionary to examine these words.
Remember, you are gathering exegetical information about Jonah as a basis for producing your exegetical commentary and outline. You are seeking to immerse your mind in the content of the story. You want to prayerfully read and meditate on the text. You are putting your feet into the sands of time and seeking to understand this historical narrative from the original author to the original recipients.
6. Read through the book again. What are the major divisions of the book? Sometimes a book is divided geographically, by characters, by time, by themes, or by settings. For the purpose of course continuity, the main divisions are chapters: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Give the major divisions a sentence summary. What is the author talking about? Your introduction must be at least 200 words.
Read through Jonah again. Keep in mind what your main subject is and how it might be developing.
Write a summary statement for each of the following paragraphs. What is the main content of each paragraph?
Paragraphs are the main units for exegesis. For the purpose of course continuity, the main paragraph units are chapters: 1:1–3, 1:4–6, 1:7–9, 1:10–14, 1:15–17; 2:1–9, 2:10, 3:1–4; 3:5–9, 3:10; 4:1–4, 4:5–8, and 4:9–11. You are summarizing the main content of each paragraph with a short sentence (8–12 words on average). These summaries are not homiletical, alliterated titles or exhortations of application, but statements that encapsulate the message of the paragraph.
When you have completed this component, you will have an introduction and exegetical outline that looks something like the following.
1. Introduction (Write a short paragraph for each of the following):
1.1 Historical Background
1.2 Prevailing Conditions
1.3 Main Characters
1.4 Major Argument
1.5 Major Themes
2. Exegetical Outline
2.1 Major Summary Statement 1:1–17
2.1.1 Summary Statement 1:1–3
2.1.2 Summary Statement 1:4-6
2.1.3 Summary Statement 1:7-9
2.1.4 Summary Statement 1:10-14
2.1.5 Summary Statement 1:15-17
2.2 Major Summary Statement 2:1-10
2.2.1 Summary Statement 2:1-9
2.2.2 Summary Statement 2:10
3 Major Summary Statement 3:1–10
3.3.1 Summary Statement 3:1–4
3.3.2 Summary Statement 3:5-9
3.3.3 Summary Statement 3:10
4 Major Summary Statement 4:1–11
4.4.1 Summary Statement 4:1–4
4.4.2 Summary Statement 4:5-8
4.4.3 Summary Statement 4:9-11
This outline becomes the framework for your commentary. The outline must be exegetical and not homiletical. Avoid alliteration or creative titles. You are seeking to capture and understand the exegetical content of the book by means of each paragraph. You must engage the language of the text in producing your summary statements. (Ex. Jonah flees the presence of the Lord and sails to Tarshish 1:1–3). The summary statements must be 1 sentence that averages about 8–12 words. Use current Turabian format for the entire assignment.
When you have completed your outline, go back and review all of your statements to make sure that your sentence summaries are supporting the main divisions and argument of the book.
