“And Many Beasts” (Jonah 4:11): The Function and Status of Animals in the Book of Jonah
“And Many Beasts” (Jonah 4:11): The Function and Status of Animals in the Book of Jonah
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“和许多野兽”（约拿书 4:11）：约拿书中动物的功能和地位
DOI：
10.5508/jhs.2010.v10.a6
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发表时间：
2010
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Yael Shemesh
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Yael Shemesh
这篇文章考察了动物在《约拿书》中的特殊角色和作用。在整本书中，所有的创造元素(自然力量、动植物)都是上帝的使者。在动物中，这一点特别适用于“大鱼”和蠕虫。他们服从上帝的意志，与他的人类使者约拿的行为形成对比，约拿逃跑并试图逃避他的使命。在这本书的结尾，动物被视为忏悔群体的一部分，与尼尼微的人类公民一样，被视为神的宽恕的对象。事实上，这本书的结束语是“许多野兽”，它们也值得上帝的仁慈。我相信，故事中动物作为神圣使者的角色与它们作为社区成员和值得神圣同情的特殊地位之间可能存在联系。
This article examines the special role and function of animals in the book of Jonah. Throughout the book, all elements of creation (natural forces, flora and fauna) serve as emissaries of the Lord. Among animals, this applies specifically to the “great fish” and the worm. Their subjection to God’s will contrasts with the behavior of His human messenger, Jonah, who runs away and tries to evade his mission. At the end of the book animals are viewed as part of the penitent community and an object for divine forgiveness, alongside the human citizens of Nineveh. In fact, the book’s concluding words are “many beasts,” who also merit God’s mercy. I believe there may be a link between the role of animals in the story as divine emissaries and their special status as members of the community and as worthy of divine compassion.