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Jonah 1

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Now the wordדְּבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → cameוַֽיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Jonahיוֹנָ֥הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Amittaiאֲמִתַּ֖י’ă·mit·tay — My people is truthH573 — Full Word Study →, sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃lê·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, 2Get upק֠וּםqūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →! Goלֵ֧ךְlêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the greatהַגְּדוֹלָ֖הhag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → cityהָעִ֥ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Ninevehנִֽינְוֵ֛הnî·nə·wêh — Capital of AssyriaH5210 — Full Word Study → and preachוּקְרָ֣אū·qə·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → against itעָלֶ֑יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → its wickednessרָעָתָ֖םrā·‘ā·ṯām — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → has come upעָלְתָ֥ה‘ā·lə·ṯāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → before Meלְפָנָֽי׃lə·p̄ā·nāy — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →.” 3Jonah, howeverיוֹנָה֙yō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study →, got upוַיָּ֤קָםway·yā·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → to fleeלִבְרֹ֣חַliḇ·rō·aḥ — To flee or escape in hasteH1272 — Full Word Study → to Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁהtar·šî·šāh — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →, away from the presenceמִלִּפְנֵ֖יmil·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. He went downוַיֵּ֨רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to Joppaיָפ֜וֹyā·p̄ōw — Beautiful harbor cityH3305 — Full Word Study → and foundוַיִּמְצָ֥אway·yim·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → a shipאָנִיָּ֣ה׀ʾå̄·nī·yå̄h — Ship or vesselH591 — Full Word Study → boundבָּאָ֣הbā·’āh — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → for Tarshishתַרְשִׁ֗ישׁṯar·šîš — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →. So he paidוַיִּתֵּ֨ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the fareשְׂכָרָ֜הּśə·ḵā·rāh — wages, payment, compensation for laborH7939 — Full Word Study → and went aboardוַיֵּ֤רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to sailלָב֤וֹאlā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → for Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁהtar·šî·šāh — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →, away from the presenceמִלִּפְנֵ֖יmil·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 4Then the LORDוַֽיהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → hurledהֵטִ֤ילhê·ṭîl — to throw, cast, or hurl awayH2904 — Full Word Study → a greatגְּדוֹלָה֙gə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → windרֽוּחַ־rū·aḥ- — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → uponאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֔םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, and such a violentגָּד֖וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → stormסַֽעַר־sa·‘ar- — A violent storm, tempest, or whirlwindH5591 — Full Word Study → aroseוַיְהִ֥יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → that the shipוְהָ֣אֳנִיָּ֔הwə·hā·’o·nî·yāh — Ship or vesselH591 — Full Word Study → was in dangerחִשְּׁבָ֖הḥiš·šə·ḇāh — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → of breaking apartלְהִשָּׁבֵֽר׃lə·hiš·šā·ḇêr — to break, shatter, crushH7665 — Full Word Study →. 5The sailorsהַמַּלָּחִ֗יםham·mal·lā·ḥîm — sailor or mariner; one who works at seaH4419 — Full Word Study → were afraidוַיִּֽירְא֣וּway·yî·rə·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →, and eachאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → cried outוַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֮way·yiz·‘ă·qū — To cry out, call for help, summonH2199 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his own godאֱלֹהָיו֒’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. And they threwוַיָּטִ֨לוּway·yā·ṭi·lū — to throw, cast, or hurl awayH2904 — Full Word Study → the ship’sבָּֽאֳנִיָּה֙bā·’o·nî·yāh — Ship or vesselH591 — Full Word Study → cargoהַכֵּלִ֜יםhak·kê·lîm — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → intoאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֔םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → to lightenלְהָקֵ֖לlə·hā·qêl — to make light; to curse; to despiseH7043 — Full Word Study → the loadמֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑םmê·‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. But Jonahוְיוֹנָ֗הwə·yō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → had gone downיָרַד֙yā·raḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the lowest partיַרְכְּתֵ֣יyar·kə·ṯê — Flank, side, border, or remote regionH3411 — Full Word Study → of the vesselהַסְּפִינָ֔הhas·sə·p̄î·nāh — A seagoing vessel or shipH5600 — Full Word Study →, where he lay downוַיִּשְׁכַּ֖בway·yiš·kaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → and fell into a deep sleepוַיֵּרָדַֽם׃way·yê·rā·ḏam — To sleep deeply or fall into sleepH7290 — Full Word Study →. 6The captainרַ֣בraḇ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → approachedוַיִּקְרַ֤בway·yiq·raḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → himאֵלָיו֙’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → and saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Howמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → can you sleepנִרְדָּ֑םnir·dām — To sleep deeply or fall into sleepH7290 — Full Word Study →? Get upק֚וּםqūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → and call uponאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. Perhapsאוּלַ֞י’ū·lay — Perhaps, possibly, if so beH194 — Full Word Study → this Godהָאֱלֹהִ֛יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → will considerיִתְעַשֵּׁ֧תyiṯ·‘aš·šêṯ — to shine; to think or deviseH6245 — Full Word Study → us, so thatוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → we may not perishנֹאבֵֽד׃nō·ḇêḏ — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →.” 7Comeלְכוּ֙lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →!” said the sailorsוַיֹּאמְר֞וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → one anotherרֵעֵ֗הוּrê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study →. “Let us castוְנַפִּ֣ילָהwə·nap·pî·lāh — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → lotsגֽוֹרָל֔וֹתḡō·w·rā·lō·wṯ — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → to find outוְנֵ֣דְעָ֔הwə·nê·ḏə·‘āh — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → who is responsibleבְּשֶׁלְּמִ֛יbə·šel·lə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → for thisהַזֹּ֖אתhaz·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → calamityהָרָעָ֥הhā·rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → that is upon us.” So they castוַיַּפִּ֙לוּ֙way·yap·pi·lū — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → lotsגּֽוֹרָל֔וֹתgō·w·rā·lō·wṯ — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study →, and the lotהַגּוֹרָ֖לhag·gō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → fellוַיִּפֹּ֥לway·yip·pōl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Jonahיוֹנָֽה׃yō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study →. 8Tellהַגִּידָה־hag·gî·ḏāh- — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → us nowנָּ֣אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study →,” they demandedוַיֹּאמְר֣וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “whoלְמִי־lə·mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → is to blameבַּאֲשֶׁ֛רba·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → for thisהַזֹּ֖אתhaz·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → calamityהָרָעָ֥הhā·rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → that is upon us? What is your occupationמְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙mə·laḵ·tə·ḵā — Work, labor, occupation; manufactured goods or craftH4399 — Full Word Study →, and whereוּמֵאַ֣יִןū·mê·’a·yin — Where? From where? Whence (interrogative adverb)H370 — Full Word Study → have you come fromתָּב֔וֹאtā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →? Whatמָ֣הmāh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → is your countryאַרְצֶ֔ךָ’ar·ṣe·ḵā — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, and whoוְאֵֽי־wə·’ê- — Where? How? What?H335 — Full Word Study → are yourאָֽתָּה׃’āt·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → peopleעַ֖ם‘am — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →?” 9I amאָנֹ֑כִי’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → a Hebrewעִבְרִ֣י‘iḇ·rî — Hebrew personH5680 — Full Word Study →,” replied Jonahוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → worshipיָרֵ֔אyā·rê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֞הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Godאֱלֹהֵ֤י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of the heavensהַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙haš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → madeעָשָׂ֥ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֖םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → and the dry landהַיַּבָּשָֽׁה׃hay·yab·bā·šāh — Dry land; the earth or ground as opposed to waterH3004 — Full Word Study →.” 10Then the menהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙hā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → were even moreגְדוֹלָ֔הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → afraidוַיִּֽירְא֤וּway·yî·rə·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → and saidוַיֹּאמְר֥וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to himאֵלָ֖יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, “Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have you doneעָשִׂ֑יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →?” The menהָאֲנָשִׁ֗יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → knewיָדְע֣וּyā·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → was fleeingבֹרֵ֔חַḇō·rê·aḥ — To flee or escape in hasteH1272 — Full Word Study → from the presenceמִלִּפְנֵ֤יmil·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he had toldהִגִּ֖ידhig·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → them. 11Nowכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֖םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → was growing worseהוֹלֵ֥ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and worseוְסֹעֵֽר׃wə·sō·‘êr — to rage, storm, or whirl with turbulent forceH5590 — Full Word Study →, so they saidוַיֹּאמְר֤וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Jonah, “Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → must we doנַּ֣עֲשֶׂהna·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to you to calmוְיִשְׁתֹּ֥קwə·yiš·tōq — To be silent, quiet, or stillH8367 — Full Word Study → this seaהַיָּ֖םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → for usמֵֽעָלֵ֑ינוּmê·‘ā·lê·nū — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →?” 12Pick me upשָׂא֙וּנִי֙śā·’ū·nî — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →,” he answeredוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “and cast meוַהֲטִילֻ֣נִיwa·hă·ṭî·lu·nî — to throw, cast, or hurl awayH2904 — Full Word Study → intoאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֔םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, so itהַיָּ֖םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → may quiet downוְיִשְׁתֹּ֥קwə·yiš·tōq — To be silent, quiet, or stillH8367 — Full Word Study → for youמֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֑םmê·‘ă·lê·ḵem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָ֔נִי’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → knowיוֹדֵ֣עַyō·w·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I am to blame for thisהַזֶּ֖הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → violentהַגָּד֛וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → stormהַסַּ֧עַרhas·sa·‘ar — A violent storm, tempest, or whirlwindH5591 — Full Word Study → that has come upon youעֲלֵיכֶֽם׃‘ă·lê·ḵem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →.” 13Nevertheless, the menהָאֲנָשִׁ֗יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → rowed hardוַיַּחְתְּר֣וּway·yaḥ·tə·rū — to dig through, pierce, or excavateH2864 — Full Word Study → to get backלְהָשִׁ֛יבlə·hā·šîḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → dry landהַיַּבָּשָׁ֖הhay·yab·bā·šāh — Dry land; the earth or ground as opposed to waterH3004 — Full Word Study →, but theyוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → could notיָכֹ֑לוּyā·ḵō·lū — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֔םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → was ragingוְסֹעֵ֖רwə·sō·‘êr — to rage, storm, or whirl with turbulent forceH5590 — Full Word Study → against themעֲלֵיהֶֽם׃‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → more and moreהוֹלֵ֥ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 14So they cried outוַיִּקְרְא֨וּway·yiq·rə·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →: “Pleaseאָנָּ֤ה’ān·nāh — Please; I beseech you; earnest petitionH577 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → let us perishנֹאבְדָ֗הnō·ḇə·ḏāh — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study → on account of thisהַזֶּ֔הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → man’sהָאִ֣ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → lifeבְּנֶ֙פֶשׁ֙bə·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →! Do notוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → chargeתִּתֵּ֥ןtit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → usעָלֵ֖ינוּ‘ā·lê·nū — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → with innocentנָקִ֑יאnā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּ֣םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →! Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, have doneעָשִֽׂיתָ׃‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → You pleasedחָפַ֖צְתָּḥā·p̄aṣ·tā — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study →.” 15At this, they picked up Jonahיוֹנָ֔הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → and cast himוַיְטִלֻ֖הוּway·ṭi·lu·hū — to throw, cast, or hurl awayH2904 — Full Word Study → intoאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֑םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, and the ragingמִזַּעְפּֽוֹ׃miz·za‘·pōw — Rage, indignation, fierce angerH2197 — Full Word Study → seaהַיָּ֖םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → grew calmוַיַּעֲמֹ֥דway·ya·‘ă·mōḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →. 16Then the menהָאֲנָשִׁ֛יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → fearedוַיִּֽירְא֧וּway·yî·rə·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → greatlyגְדוֹלָ֖הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study →, and they offeredוַיִּֽזְבְּחוּ־way·yiz·bə·ḥū- — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → a sacrificeזֶ֙בַח֙ze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → and madeוַֽיִּדְּר֖וּway·yid·də·rū — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → vows to Him. 17Now the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had appointedוַיְמַ֤ןway·man — To count, number, appoint, or ordainH4487 — Full Word Study → a greatגָּד֔וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → fishדָּ֣גdāḡ — Fish; aquatic creatureH1709 — Full Word Study → to swallowלִבְלֹ֖עַliḇ·lō·a‘ — to swallow, devour, consume completelyH1104 — Full Word Study → Jonahיוֹנָ֑הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study →, and Jonahיוֹנָה֙yō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → spentוַיְהִ֤יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → threeשְׁלֹשָׁ֥הšə·lō·šāh — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → daysיָמִ֖יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → and threeוּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥הū·šə·lō·šāh — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → nightsלֵילֽוֹת׃lê·lō·wṯ — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → in the bellyבִּמְעֵ֣יbim·‘ê — belly, womb, inner selfH4578 — Full Word Study → of the fishהַדָּ֔גhad·dāḡ — Fish; aquatic creatureH1709 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Jonah 1
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Jonah chapter 1 presents one of Scripture's most dramatic accounts of human disobedience and divine sovereignty. God commands His prophet to go to Nineveh and proclaim judgment against that great city's wickedness, but Jonah—for reasons he will later explain—attempts to flee in the opposite direction. What unfolds is a remarkable story of God's relentless pursuit of His wayward servant, His control over creation itself, and the beginning of a miraculous work of redemption. Through a terrifying storm, casting of lots, and the ultimate sacrifice of the reluctant prophet, we see God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human rebellion.

Verses 1–3: God's Command and Jonah's Refusal

The LORD speaks directly to Jonah, commanding him to arise and go to Nineveh—a great, wicked city of the Assyrian Empire. God makes clear that the city's wickedness has come before His throne and judgment is warranted. Yet in verse 3, we encounter Jonah's remarkable response: he gets up—not to obey, but to flee. He goes to Joppa and boards a ship heading to Tarshish, a distant port (likely Spain), representing the farthest point in the opposite direction from Nineveh. The repetition of "from the presence of the LORD" emphasizes Jonah's vain attempt to escape God's authority. He even pays his fare, suggesting premeditation. This reveals a sobering truth: even God's called servants can resist His will, and even believers can harbor disobedience in their hearts.

Verses 4–7: The Storm and the Lot

God does not abandon His mission or His servant. He sends a great wind and tempest upon the sea, threatening the ship's destruction. While professional mariners cry out to their gods and lighten the cargo, Jonah—mysteriously—sleeps in the ship's belly. The shipmaster wakes him, imploring him to call upon his God. The crew then casts lots to identify the guilty party, and the lot falls on Jonah. This casting of lots is significant: it demonstrates God's providential hand directing even the random elements of human decision. The lots themselves declare what the crew will soon learn—that Jonah is responsible.

Verses 8–12: Jonah's Confession and Sacrifice

Questioned about his identity and occupation, Jonah confesses: "I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land." His confession is theologically correct yet spiritually hollow—he fears God's power, yet he has rebelled against God's will. When the mariners learn he is fleeing from the LORD, they become exceedingly afraid. Realizing the danger his disobedience has brought upon them, Jonah offers the only solution: he must be cast overboard so the sea will be calm. He takes full responsibility, acknowledging that the tempest exists because of him.

Verses 13–17: The Storm's End and God's Provision

Remarkably, the pagan sailors first attempt to row the ship to land, unwilling to cast an innocent man into the sea—a touch of human mercy. When that fails, they pray to the LORD (not to their idols), asking Him not to hold them guilty for Jonah's death. They then cast him overboard, and immediately the sea ceases its raging. The sailors' fear turns to reverence; they offer sacrifice and make vows to the LORD. Finally, verse 17 reveals God's purpose all along: He had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. Three days and three nights in the fish's belly would become, Jesus later taught, a sign of His own resurrection (Matthew 12:40). Even in judgment, God's mercy works.

Application for Today

Jonah's flight reminds us that running from God's will only brings turmoil—to ourselves and potentially to those around us. Yet the chapter also shows God's relentless grace: He pursues us, redirects our paths, and never abandons His purposes. If you sense God calling you to obedience, delay or disobedience will not change His will—only bring unnecessary hardship. Trust that His commands, though sometimes costly, lead to blessing and fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

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