Translations
Modern
“Tell us now,” they demanded, “who is to blame for this calamity that is upon us? What is your occupation, and where have you come from? What is your country, and who are your people?”
Traditional
Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
Literal
And they said to him, “Declare now to us, with regard to whom is this evil upon us? What is your occupation, and from where do you come? What is your land, and from which people are you?”
Latin
Et dixerunt ad eum: Indica nobis cujus causa malum istud sit nobis: quod est opus tuum? quæ terra tua, et quo vadis? vel ex quo populo es tu?
Original
Hebrew
English
“Tell us now,” they demanded, “who is to blame for this calamity that is upon us? What is your occupation, and where have you come from? What is your country, and who are your people?”
Notes
God permitted the use of lots for certain purposes, such as making decisions when people sought his will (see Leviticus 16:8; Joshua 18:6; 1 Chronicles 26:12–16; Acts 1:26). However, divination in general, as it was practiced throughout the ancient world, displeased the Lord because it sought guidance apart from him (Deuteronomy 18:9–13).
who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us: In the ancient Near East, people often believed that disasters or bad events happened because a god was angry. They assumed that someone had caused offense and needed to be identified.
Events
- Prophecies of Jonahc. 825 BC
Parallels
Glossary
Topics
Jonah: Disobedience and Punishment of Superstition: The Sailors Who Threw Jonah Into the Sea