Jonah 1:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They asked him, "What should we do to you, so that the sea will be calm for us?" - for the sea was getting rougher all the time.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now the sea was growing worse and worse, so they said to Jonah, “What must we do to you to calm this sea for us?”

American Standard Version:

Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea grew more and more tempestuous.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then said^{H559} they unto him, What shall we do^{H6213} unto thee, that the sea^{H3220} may be calm^{H8367} unto us? for the sea^{H3220} wrought^{H1980}, and was tempestuous^{H5590}.

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Commentary for Jonah 1:11

Jonah 1:11 is a verse set within the narrative of the book of Jonah, which is part of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. The historical context of the book is somewhat ambiguous, but it is traditionally associated with the prophet Jonah, who is believed to have lived during the reign of Jeroboam II in the 8th century BCE. The book is didactic and theological in nature, rather than historical, and serves to convey moral and spiritual lessons.

The verse occurs after Jonah has boarded a ship in an attempt to flee from the presence of the Lord, who had commanded him to go to the city of Nineveh. A great storm arises, putting the ship and its crew in peril. The sailors, realizing that the storm may be connected to someone aboard their vessel, cast lots to determine who is responsible for the calamity, and the lot falls upon Jonah.

In Jonah 1:11, the sailors, having identified Jonah as the cause of the storm through their divination, confront him with a practical question born out of their desperation: "What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us?" This question reflects the themes of divine retribution, repentance, and the search for mercy and forgiveness. The sailors are willing to take action to appease the deity they believe has sent the storm, demonstrating their recognition of divine power over nature and their willingness to rectify the situation. Jonah's response in the following verses leads to his being thrown into the sea, which immediately calms the waters, illustrating the theme of divine intervention and the restoration of order when one's actions align with the divine will.

The verse encapsulates the broader narrative's exploration of obedience to God's commands, the impact of one's actions on others, and the universal reach of divine authority. It also highlights the contrast between the pagan sailors, who are open to divine signs and willing to act upon them, and Jonah, the prophet of God, who initially resists his divine calling. This contrast serves to question the nature of true piety and the human tendency to resist the will of God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3220
   There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָם
   Transliteration: yâm
   Pronunciation: yawm
   Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward).
   
4. Strong's Number: H8367
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁתַק
   Transliteration: shâthaq
   Pronunciation: shaw-thak'
   Description: a primitive root; to subside; be calm, cease, be quiet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1980
   There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַךְ
   Transliteration: hâlak
   Pronunciation: haw-lak'
   Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5590
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָעַר
   Transliteration: çâʻar
   Pronunciation: saw-ar'
   Description: a primitive root; to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); be (toss with) tempest(-uous), be sore, troubled, come out as a (drive with the, scatter with a) whirlwind.