Jonah 1:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they said to each other, "Come, let's draw lots to find out who is to blame for this calamity." They drew lots, and Yonah was singled out.

Berean Standard Bible:

“Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

American Standard Version:

And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they said^{H559} every one^{H376} to his fellow^{H7453}, Come^{H3212}, and let us cast^{H5307} lots^{H1486}, that we may know^{H3045} for whose cause^{H7945} this evil^{H7451} is upon us. So they cast^{H5307} lots^{H1486}, and the lot^{H1486} fell^{H5307} upon Jonah^{H3124}.

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Commentary for Jonah 1:7

Jonah 1:7 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Book of Jonah, which is part of the Nevi'im (Prophets) in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament in the Christian Bible. This verse captures the sailors aboard the ship in the midst of a violent storm, which they believe has been sent as divine retribution for someone's wrongdoing. The practice of casting lots was a common ancient method used to discern the will of the gods or to make important decisions. In this context, the sailors are attempting to identify the individual responsible for the calamity they are experiencing at sea.

The historical context of this verse reflects the religious and superstitious beliefs of seafaring people in the ancient Near East. The casting of lots was a form of cleromancy, a type of sortition (random selection), and was widely accepted as a legitimate way to determine divine guidance. The sailors' action shows their desperation and their belief in a moral order where actions have consequences, often mediated through divine intervention.

When the lots indicate Jonah as the source of the trouble, it confirms the narrative's earlier introduction of Jonah as a prophet who is fleeing from the presence of the Lord. Jonah's disobedience to God's command to go to Nineveh has brought divine judgment not only upon himself but also upon the innocent sailors. The verse underscores themes of divine justice, the intercession of fate or providence in human affairs, and the individual's responsibility to the community. It also sets the stage for Jonah's subsequent confession and the sailors' recognition of the power of Jonah's God, leading to their conversion and offering of sacrifices and vows. This event is a precursor to the larger theme of the book, which deals with God's mercy and the inclusivity of His grace, extending even to those outside the Israelite community, such as the sailors and later the people of Nineveh.

*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: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7453
   There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵעַ
   Transliteration: rêaʻ
   Pronunciation: ray'-ah
   Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5307
   There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָפַל
   Transliteration: nâphal
   Pronunciation: naw-fal'
   Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1486
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוֹרָל
   Transliteration: gôwrâl
   Pronunciation: go-rawl'
   Description: or (shortened) גֹּרָל; from an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot); lot.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7945
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁל
   Transliteration: shel
   Pronunciation: shel
   Description: for the rel. אֲשֶׁר; used with prepositional prefix, and often followed by some pronominal affix; on account of, whatsoever, whichsoever; cause, sake.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
   
10. 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.