Haimo of Auxerre

In his own words on Jonah

• Jonah 1:1

  The Hebrews say that Jonah was the son of a widow in Zarephath; Elijah raised him from the dead, and when he had been returned to his mother, she gave thanks, and said, "Now by this I know that you are a man of the Lord, and the word of the Lord in your mouth is true." (1Kings 17:24) HAIMO They say that Jonah's grave is in Geth, which is in Ophir. Others speak of his birth and burial in Lydda, that is, Diospolis.

• Jonah 1:3

  In Hebrew, however, they speak generally of the sea as "Tharsis." Therefore, the prophet did not wish to flee to any particular place, but he embarked upon a ship which could take him anywhere, so long as he could hurry, not caring where chance led him.

• Jonah 1:3

  Jonah, therefore, coming from the mountainous country of Judea to the sea coast and the plains, is rightly said to have went down.

• Jonah 1:5

  This is done in the greatest danger, in order that the ship, once lightened, may be borne up by the waves more easily.

• Jonah 1:5

  From this we understand that God is feared and perceived by all men, although they may be seduced by false religions from the one and true god to many gods.

• Jonah 1:5

  he slept because he was overcome by weariness, just as we also read that the Apostles, overcome by sorrow, were pressed down by sleep in the Passion of the Lord (Mk 14:37-41).

• Jonah 1:7

  Because they saw that the storm was greater than usual, they knew those things did not happen naturally; nor indeed could those who navigated at such a time neglect the causes of the winds and the waves, and therefore by means of the lots they sought the origin of the shipwreck.

• Jonah 2:1

  He prepared the fish, that is, He made it come next to the ship, in order that it might take Jonah in its mouth when he was thrown overboard.

• Jonah 2:3

  he cried with the whole passion of his heart, according to the Apostle who says, "You have received a spirit of adoption as sons, by virtue of which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'"

• Jonah 2:5

  Jonah either says this wishfully, or with a certain trust he promises himself that he will return to Jerusalem and see the temple of the Lord.

• Jonah 2:7

  Although he ought to have been corrupted and digested in the belly of the whale and diffused through the veins and joints of the fish, he came out safe and whole. calling the God who is common to all his own and personal God; because of the magnitude of such great favor, he especially feels that God is his God ad Lord.

• Jonah 2:10

  The prophet is animated with good hope, and now secure about his liberation, he promises that he will sacrifice thanksgiving and that he will fulfill all vows.

• Jonah 3:1

  This is not uttered with reproach, nor is he asked, "Why did you not do what I commanded?" Indeed the hard correction of being shipwrecked and being swallowed was sufficient.

• Jonah 3:2

  Jonah arose, it says; he did not delay, but immediately made himself ready for obeying.

• Jonah 3:10

  For if the world is converted, God is converted; and when the sinners change their life, He will change His sentence.

• Jonah 4:2

  Partly Jonah prays, partly he complains, saying he did not wish to flee.

• Jonah 4:4

  Jonah understood that Israel would be destroyed. For the Lord did not say, "You are angered evilly," lest He seem to blame the saddened man; on the other hand, He did not say, "You are angered rightly," lest He be contrary to His own sentence. Therefore, He questions him concerning the causes of his grief, in order that he may answer, or if he were silent, he may by his silence confirm the judgment of God.

• Jonah 4:11

  For the good are understood by the right hand, bad by the left.