Yonah 1:15

15 So they took up Yonah, and cast him forth into the yam [see Yeshayah 53:5,8; Mt 12:39-40; 16:4]; and the yam ceased from her raging.

Yonah 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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Yonah 1:15 In-Context

13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the yabashah; but they could not: for the yam did rage, and was tempestuous against them.
14 Wherefore they cried unto Hashem, and said, We beseech Thee, Hashem, we beseech Thee, let us not perish for this man’s nefesh, and lay not upon us dahm naki (innocent blood); for Thou, Hashem, hast done just as it pleased Thee.
15 So they took up Yonah, and cast him forth into the yam [see Yeshayah 53:5,8; Mt 12:39-40; 16:4]; and the yam ceased from her raging.
16 Then the men feared Hashem with a yirah gedolah, and offered a sacrifice unto Hashem, and vowed nedarim.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.