Jonah 1:15

15 And they picked Jonah up and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

Jonah 1:15 Meaning and Commentary

Jonah 1:15

So they took up, Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea
They took him out of the hold or cabin where he was, and brought him upon deck; they took him, not against his will, but with his full consent, and according to the direction and advice he gave them: "they", for there were more than one employed in this affair; one or more very probably took him by the legs, and others put their hands under his arm holes, and so threw him into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging;
immediately, and became a calm; and the wind also ceased from blowing, which is supposed; the end being answered by the storm, and the person found and obtained, what was sought after by it, it was still and quiet. The story the Jews ^F13 tell of his being let down into the sea to his knees, upon which the sea was calm, but became raging again upon his being taken up; and so, at the second time, to his navel; and the third time to his neck; is all fabulous; but he being wholly thrown in, it raged no more.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Pirke Eliezer, c. 10. fol. 10. 2.

Jonah 1:15 In-Context

13 But the men rowed [hard] to bring [the ship] back to the dry land, and they could not [do so] because the sea {was growing more and more tempestuous} against them.

14 So they cried out to Yahweh, and they said, "O Yahweh! Please do not let us perish because of this man's life, and {do not make us guilty of innocent blood}, because you, O Yahweh, did what you wanted."

15 And they picked Jonah up and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

16 So the men feared Yahweh {greatly}, and they offered a sacrifice to Yahweh and {made} vows.

17 And Yahweh provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.