Jonah 2 Study Notes

2:7 Reminiscent of thanksgiving songs in the Psalms (Pss 18; 30), Jonah tells the story of answered prayer (see also Jnh 2:1-2).

2:8-9 The Lord’s miraculous deliverance shows that he exists, unlike pagan idols. What I have vowed refers to a promised gift to God if he should answer prayer (Nm 21:2; 1Sm 1:11). Jonah promised praise and animal sacrifice. A fellowship offering was used to worship God at the completion of a vow (Nm 6:21; 2Sm 15:7-8; Pr 7:14).

2:10 Vomited, an ignoble means of exiting the fish, perhaps symbolizes God’s disgust at Jonah’s prior disobedience or even his continued bad attitude, which the subsequent narrative unfolds.