Row against the storm to stop reciprocation -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 10:08:38 03/11/08 Tue
Author: Betsy Peters
Subject: Row against the storm to stop reciprocation
In reply to: Erin Risch 's message, "Re: Jonah, God, and Nineveh" on 20:30:30 03/09/08 Sun

Notice, also in this passage, the crew's fear of reciprocal violence. Right after the men row hard and realize that they, indeed, cannot fight the storm, "Then they called on the LORD and said, "We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man's life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O LORD, have done as You have pleased." The sailors are terrified that they will be held accountable for a blood libel on account of Jonah. Earlier in the text, they made a similar move to avoid reciprocal violence as they cast lots: "'Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.' So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah." In other words, the crew does not want to be held responsible for even picking the victim--they would rather that the choice be made at random or by God--but not by themselves.

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