Jonah 2:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay [that] that I have vowed. Salvation [is] of the LORD.

Complete Jewish Bible:

but I, speaking my thanks aloud, will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed, I will pay. Salvation comes from ADONAI!"

Berean Standard Bible:

But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”

American Standard Version:

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of Jehovah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But I will sacrifice{H2076} unto thee with the voice{H6963} of thanksgiving{H8426}; I will pay{H7999} that that I have vowed{H5087}. Salvation{H3444} is of the LORD{H3068}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalms 3:8

  • Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.

Psalms 50:14

  • Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Ecclesiastes 5:4

  • ¶ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Ecclesiastes 5:5

  • Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Hebrews 13:15

  • By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

Psalms 50:23

  • Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

Hosea 14:2

  • Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

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Commentary for Jonah 2:9

Jonah 2:9 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Jonah, which is traditionally ascribed to the prophet Jonah. The book tells the story of Jonah's call to preach to the city of Nineveh, his attempt to flee from God's command by boat, his subsequent time in the belly of a great fish, and his eventual journey to Nineveh.

In the historical context, the city of Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, a nation known for its cruelty and hostility toward Israel. Jonah's reluctance to preach there likely stemmed from a desire for divine retribution against the Assyrians rather than their repentance.

The verse in question is part of a prayer Jonah offers while inside the fish. After acknowledging his own disobedience and the peril it caused, Jonah commits to offering sacrifices and fulfilling his vows to God. The "voice of thanksgiving" suggests a public acknowledgment of God's grace and mercy, which is a common theme in biblical prayers of thanksgiving.

The latter part of the verse, "Salvation [is] of the LORD," is a profound theological statement. It reflects the understanding that salvation is not something that can be achieved by human effort or merit, but is entirely a gift from God. This declaration of trust in God's saving power is central to the theology of the Hebrew Bible and resonates with the New Testament's emphasis on salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

In summary, Jonah 2:9 encapsulates the themes of repentance, gratitude, and divine salvation. It reflects the personal transformation of Jonah, from a prophet fleeing from God's will to one who acknowledges God's sovereignty and mercy. The verse also underscores the broader biblical message that deliverance and salvation are acts of God, not human achievements. This message would have been particularly poignant to the Israelites, who often found themselves in situations where their only hope was in God's intervention.

*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: H2076
    There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: זָבַח
    Transliteration: zâbach
    Pronunciation: zaw-bakh'
    Description: a primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice); kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay.
  2. Strong's Number: H6963
    There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוֹל
    Transliteration: qôwl
    Pronunciation: kole
    Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
  3. Strong's Number: H8426
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תּוֹדָה
    Transliteration: tôwdâh
    Pronunciation: to-daw'
    Description: from יָדָה; properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers; confession, (sacrifice of) praise, thanks(-giving, offering).
  4. Strong's Number: H7999
    There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁלַם
    Transliteration: shâlam
    Pronunciation: shaw-lam'
    Description: a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely.
  5. Strong's Number: H5087
    There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָדַר
    Transliteration: nâdar
    Pronunciation: naw-dar'
    Description: a primitive root; to promise (pos., to do or give something to God); (make a) vow.
  6. Strong's Number: H3444
    There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְשׁוּעָה
    Transliteration: yᵉshûwʻâh
    Pronunciation: yesh-oo'-aw
    Description: feminine passive participle of יָשַׁע; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity; deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare.
  7. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.