Several times, I’ve noticed that English versions of the Bible will translate a single Greek or Hebrew word with multiple English glosses. Now, that’s not all bad – there are different nuances to most words; context and usage determine what’s most appropriate in each situation. But there are passages where, in my estimation, we lose something by using different English words for a single original language word. Jonah 1 is one of those places. Translating through this book a few years ago, I was struck by certain keywords that tie passages together. Chapter 1 has three references (Jon. 1.4, 5, 15) to people “throwing [something] into the sea.” From what I can tell, the deliberate repetition of the Hebrew verb (to throw) and the prepositional phrase (into the sea) is a well-chosen literary device that the author is using to connect these verses and tie the events of this narrative together. Few English versions convey that connection well. Here’s a chart of popular versions and how they translate the three occurrence of this phrase:

  <th>
    1.4
  </th>

  <th>
    1.5
  </th>

  <th>
    1.15
  </th>
</tr>

<tr>
  <th>
    ESV
  </th>

  <td>
    hurled a great wind upon the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    hurled the cargo &#8230; into the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    hurled him into the sea
  </td>
</tr>

<tr>
  <th>
    KJV
  </th>

  <td>
    sent out a great wind into the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    cast forth the wares &#8230; into the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    cast him forth into the sea
  </td>
</tr>

<tr>
  <th>
    NASB
  </th>

  <td>
    hurled a great wind on the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    threw the cargo &#8230; into the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    threw him into the sea
  </td>
</tr>

<tr>
  <th>
    NIV
  </th>

  <td>
    sent a great wind on the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    threw the cargo into the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    threw him overboard
  </td>
</tr>

<tr>
  <th>
    NKJV
  </th>

  <td>
    sent out a great wind on the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    threw the cargo &#8230; into the sea
  </td>

  <td>
    threw him into the sea
  </td>
</tr>

You can see that most of these versions change verbs: verse 4 is different from verses 5 and 15. This morning, I noticed that the ESV keeps the verb “hurled” consistent through all three verses – and I appreciated that. You could argue that it doesn’t make any exegetical difference if God “threw” or “hurled” a wind, but I would submit that we gain a bit of the flavor, a little more literary richness by seeing the repeated “hurling … into the sea” motif. And certainly in narrative portions of Scripture, we want to read God’s Word and see the setting, know the characters and follow the plot.

Another part of Jonah where translation consistency is important is the emphasis on God’s sovereignty – seen in the repeated statements about His “preparing” or “appointing” circumstances (Jonah 1.17; 4.6, 7, 8). All the versions listed above treat these verses consistently, choosing glosses like “appointed,” “prepared” or “provided.” God appoints a fish, a gourd, a worm and a hot wind – all to work in Jonah’s life, primarily to correct Jonah. God is the same today as then – He appoints circumstances in our lives, often to correct us. Will we see His hand at work and respond in humble repentance, or will our lives end like the book of Jonah: with God talking but us not answering correctly?