Bible Commentary

Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. 16. feared the Lord exceedingly ] They had feared exceedingly before ( Jon 1:10, where the Heb. expression is the same as here), but their fear then was vague and indefinite, now it recognised as its object Jehovah, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:16”

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 15. they took up ] With respect and reluctance, with no struggle on his part, or violence on theirs. her raging ] Lit., her anger. “Maris ira,” Ovid. Met. I. 330, “iratum mare,” Hor. Epod. II. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:15”

Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. 14. for this man’s life ] i. e. for having taken it away. Lit., … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:14”

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring [it] to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. 13. rowed hard ] Lit., digged. The word is used for digging or breaking through a wall, Job 24:16; Eze 12:5; Eze 12:7. The figurative use of it does not occur … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:13”

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest [is] upon you. 12. cast me forth into the sea ] “The question is raised whether Jonah ought of his own accord … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:12”

Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. 11. What shall we do unto thee ] No doubt in their thus appealing to Jonah to tell them what was to be done, instead of at once ridding … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:11”

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. 10. Why hast thou done this?] Rather, What is this that thou hast done? A question not of enquiry, but of amazement … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:10”

And he said unto them, I [am] a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry [land]. 9. The emergency recalls Jonah to his true self. All the better part of his character now comes out. His conduct throughout the remainder of the chapter is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:9”

Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil [is] upon us; What [is] thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what [is] thy country? and of what people [art] thou? 8. for whose cause ] The lot has detected Jonah, but they will not condemn him unheard. They will … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:8”

And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. 7. Finding their prayers as unavailing as their efforts, the sailors conclude that the storm is sent upon them … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jonah 1:7”