Hebrew Form Guide

וּקְרָ֣א (ū·qə·rā) in Jonah 1:2: Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular

וּקְרָ֣א (ū·qə·rā) in Jonah 1:2

Source Word

וּקְרָ֣א ū·qə·rā Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular

The BSB+ row for Jonah 1:2 links the English rendering "and preach" with וּקְרָ֣א, Strong's H7121, and the morphology label Conj-w | V-Qal-Imp-ms.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

The form clarifies that Jonah's flight responds to a direct divine charge, not to a vague suggestion.

How To Communicate It

When teaching Jonah 1:2, use this form to show the command sequence: arise, go, and preach against Nineveh.

What Not To Say

  • Grammar should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not use the imperative alone to settle every theological question about prophetic obedience.
  • Do not make the waw connector carry more than the local command sequence supports.
  • Do not treat this occurrence as a complete word study for H7121.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-verb

Part of Speech

Verb

Form Label

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular

Attached Prefixes

Conjunctive waw

Stem

Qal

Aspect

Imperative

Person

Not marked

Gender

Not marked

Number

Not marked

Aspect Note

The imperative form gives direct force to the action, while the verse and passage determine the scope of the command or appeal.

Verse Role

This form carries the BSB rendering "and preach" within Jonah 1:2. Jonah 1 follows the prophet's flight, the storm at sea, and the sailors' growing fear as disobedience is exposed.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

The Lord's command to Jonah in Jonah 1:2, joining the command to go with the command to preach against Nineveh

Governed By

The divine commissioning speech at the beginning of Jonah

Role In The Phrase

It gives a direct command to Jonah: he is to preach against Nineveh as part of the Lord's commission.

What It Is Not Doing

The imperative does not by itself define every element of prophetic preaching or Jonah's later disobedience. The narrative supplies that context.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: The form carries the Lord's direct command that Jonah preach against Nineveh.

Syntax Profile

Waw-linked Qal imperative masculine singular. adds the preaching command to Jonah's commission. Attached to the command sequence in Jonah 1:2. Governed by the clause and passage context. The Hebrew form should be explained from the clause and context, not flattened into one automatic English value.

Reader Question

What does the Lord command Jonah to do? He commands Jonah to preach against Nineveh.

Translation Effect

Direct: The imperative directly supports the command rendering "and preach."

Where Caution Is Needed

The waw links this command to the surrounding command sequence. The imperative gives command force, while the narrative determines the scope and response. The masculine singular addresses Jonah grammatically and does not create a broader gender claim.

Fallacies To Avoid

Imperative alone proves a doctrine of preaching: The imperative marks the command; the passage and canon govern the theology of prophetic proclamation. waw always means the same thing: The connector should be read from the local sequence.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

The BSB+ row for Jonah 1:2 links the English rendering "and preach" with וּקְרָ֣א, Strong's H7121, and the morphology label Conj-w | V-Qal-Imp-ms.

Lexical Identity

H7121 is represented here by the lemma קָרָא. In this occurrence, the public guide is limited to the BSB rendering "and preach" rather than every possible gloss of the entry.

Grammar In Context

The waw connects this imperative to the commission sequence, while the imperative gives direct command force to the preaching action.

Passage Meaning

Jonah 1 follows the prophet's flight, the storm at sea, and the sailors' growing fear as disobedience is exposed.

Canonical Fit

The form fits Scripture's witness to mercy, repentance, prophetic obedience, and God's compassion for the nations.

Communication Use

When teaching Jonah 1:2, use this form to show the command sequence: arise, go, and preach against Nineveh.

Do Not Derive

Do not derive a full theology of preaching, prophetic office, or mission from Conj-w | V-Qal-Imp-ms alone. The form marks one command in the commission.