Jonah 1:15

15 And they took Jonah, and threw into the sea; and the sea stood of his boiling. (And then they took Jonah, and threw him into the sea; and at last the sea ceased its boiling.)

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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Jonah 1:15 In-Context

13 And the men rowed, for to turn again to the dry land, and they might not, for the sea went, and waxed great on them. (And the men rowed, to try to return to the dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew great against them.)
14 And they cried to the Lord, and said, Lord, we beseech, that we perish not in the life of this man, and that thou give not on us innocent blood; for thou, Lord, didest as thou wouldest. (And they cried out to the Lord, and said, Lord, we beseech thee, that we perish not for taking the life of this man, and that thou do not put innocent blood upon us; for all this, Lord, is as thou desirest/for all this is thy doing, Lord.)
15 And they took Jonah, and threw into the sea; and the sea stood of his boiling. (And then they took Jonah, and threw him into the sea; and at last the sea ceased its boiling.)
16 And the men dreaded the Lord with great dread, and offered hosts to the Lord, and vowed avows. (And the men feared the Lord with great fear, and offered sacrifices to the Lord, and vowed vows.)
17 And the Lord made ready a great fish, that he should swallow Jonah; and Jonah was in the womb of the fish three days and three nights. (And the Lord made ready a great fish, that would swallow Jonah; and then Jonah was in the womb of the fish for three days and three nights.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.