Vehement east wind. — The derivation from a root meaning silent (see margin) points to what travellers describe as the “quiet kind of sirocco,” which is often more overpowering than the more boisterous kind. (See Thomson, The Land and the ‘Book, pp. 536, 537.) Ewald, however, derives differently, and makes it a rough, scrapy, stingy wind.
Fainted. — See Jonah 2:7. Here the effect of sunstroke, in Amos 8:13 of thirst
Wished in himself to die. — Literally, wished his soul to die. (Comp. 1 Kings 19:4.)
It is better. — The italics are unnecessary, and weaken the passage, Better my death than my life. Physical suffering was now added to the prophet’s chagrin, and, as usual, added to the moral depression. It seemed much worse that the logical consistency of Jonah’s teaching should go for nothing now that he was so uncomfortable.