Jonah 1:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they picked up Yonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging.

Berean Standard Bible:

At this, they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm.

American Standard Version:

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

So they took up^{H5375} Jonah^{H3124}, and cast him forth^{H2904} into the sea^{H3220}: and the sea^{H3220} ceased^{H5975} from her raging^{H2197}.

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Commentary for Jonah 1:15

Jonah 1:15 is a climactic verse in the opening chapter of the Book of Jonah, which is part of the Nevi'im (Prophets) in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This verse captures a pivotal moment in the narrative where the sailors, having exhausted all other options to calm the tempest that threatens their ship, reluctantly obey Jonah's directive to cast him into the sea. The historical context of the Book of Jonah is somewhat ambiguous, with scholars debating its date of composition and its genre, which includes elements of prophecy, wisdom literature, and historical narrative, though it is traditionally ascribed to the prophet Jonah in the 8th century BCE.

The themes of Jonah 1:15 are rich and multifaceted. The verse reflects the theme of divine retribution and mercy, as Jonah acknowledges that the storm is a punishment from his God for his disobedience in fleeing from the divine mission to Nineveh. The sailors' action of throwing Jonah overboard is both an act of sacrifice and an attempt to appease the deity who controls the forces of nature. The immediate cessation of the storm upon Jonah's immersion serves to confirm the prophet's guilt and the power of his God over creation, reinforcing the theme of God's sovereignty.

Additionally, this verse underscores the theme of Gentile recognition of the Hebrew God's authority, as the pagan sailors come to fear and respect Yahweh, even offering sacrifices and making vows to Him. This reflects a broader biblical theme of God's universal reign and the eventual acknowledgment of His sovereignty by all nations. The verse also sets the stage for the subsequent narrative, where Jonah's time in the belly of the great fish becomes a period of reflection and repentance, leading to his eventual mission to Nineveh.

In summary, Jonah 1:15 encapsulates the themes of divine power over nature, the consequences of disobedience, the possibility of mercy and redemption, and the recognition of the Hebrew God by non-Israelites. It serves as a turning point in the story of Jonah, highlighting the interplay between human agency and divine will, a motif that continues throughout the book.

*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: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3124
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹנָה
   Transliteration: Yôwnâh
   Pronunciation: yo-naw'
   Description: xlit Yônâh corrected to Yôwnâh; the same as יוֹנָה; Jonah, an Israelite; Jonah.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2904
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טוּל
   Transliteration: ṭûwl
   Pronunciation: tool
   Description: a primitive root; to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out; carry away, (utterly) cast (down, forth, out), send out.
   
4. 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).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5975
   There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָמַד
   Transliteration: ʻâmad
   Pronunciation: aw-mad'
   Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2197
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זַעַף
   Transliteration: zaʻaph
   Pronunciation: zah'-af
   Description: from זָעַף; anger; indignation, rage(-ing), wrath.