Jonah 1:10

KJV

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then were the men {H582} exceedingly {H1419}{H3374} afraid {H3372}, and said {H559} unto him, Why hast thou done {H6213} this? For the men {H582} knew {H3045} that he fled {H1272} from the presence {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}, because he had told {H5046} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

At this the men grew very afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done?" For the men knew he was trying to get away from ADONAI, since he had told them.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the men were even more afraid and said to him, “What have you done?” The men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

American Standard Version

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, What is this that thou hast done? For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of Jehovah, because he had told them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 1:10 captures the profound and escalating fear of the pagan sailors after Jonah's confession. Having just learned that Jonah, a Hebrew, was attempting to flee from the presence of the LORD, the God who created the sea and the dry land, they are overwhelmed with dread. Their immediate question, "Why hast thou done this?", expresses not only their terror at the storm but also their dawning realization of the immense power and authority of the God Jonah had defied, and the dire consequences of such rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jonah's confession in [Jonah 1:9](/jonah/1-9 "Jonah 1:9 - Jonah's Confession of Faith and Disobedience"), where he identifies himself as a Hebrew who fears the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. The sailors had already cast lots, which pointed to Jonah as the cause of the tempest ([Jonah 1:7](/jonah/1-7 "Jonah 1:7 - The Casting of Lots")). Their initial fear was for their lives due to the raging storm. However, upon hearing Jonah's full disclosure about his flight from God's presence, their fear transforms into a deeper, spiritual awe and dread of the powerful deity he had offended. The narrative builds tension, moving from the natural chaos of the storm to the spiritual revelation of God's sovereignty and the gravity of Jonah's sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient mariners were deeply superstitious and attributed natural phenomena like storms to divine displeasure. They would typically appeal to their own gods for deliverance, as seen in [Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Sailors Cry to Their Gods"). The ship itself was likely a Phoenician vessel, given Tarshish's location and the common maritime trade routes. For these pagan sailors, encountering a God who not only controls the elements but also actively pursues His disobedient prophet, and whose power transcends their own pantheon, would have been a profoundly unsettling and revelatory experience. Their "great fear" indicates a shift from mere physical terror to a dawning recognition of the true God's might and authority, a concept alien to their polytheistic worldview.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jonah. It highlights the **Sovereignty of God** over all creation, including nature and human affairs, demonstrating that no one can truly escape His presence or His will, as seen in [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence"). It underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, showing how one person's rebellion can have far-reaching and dangerous impacts on innocent bystanders. The sailors' reaction also introduces the theme of **Divine Revelation to Gentiles**, as God's power and character are revealed even to those outside of Israel through the unfolding events. Finally, it emphasizes the **Profound Nature of the Fear of the LORD**, moving beyond simple terror to a reverential awe and understanding of God's holiness and power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **afraid (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to fear," but also "to revere" or "to be in awe." The context here suggests a combination of intense dread and a dawning, reverential awe. It's not merely a physical fear of death but a spiritual terror born from understanding the magnitude of Jonah's offense against such a powerful God.
* **exceedingly (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This word, often translated as "great" or "mighty," intensifies the fear described by _yârêʼ_. The KJV phrase "exceedingly afraid" (literally "feared a great fear" in Hebrew, combining _yârêʼ_ with _yirʼâh_ and _gâdôwl_) conveys an overwhelming, profound, and unprecedented level of terror and awe experienced by the sailors.
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_):** This word means "to bolt," "to flee suddenly," or "to run away." It emphasizes the deliberate and desperate nature of Jonah's attempt to escape God's direct command and presence. The sailors understood that Jonah's flight was not merely travel but an act of rebellion against his divine master, which brought about their current peril.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then were the men exceedingly afraid,"**: This clause describes the immediate and intense emotional response of the sailors. Their fear, previously focused on the storm, now deepens into a profound spiritual dread upon realizing the identity of Jonah's God and the nature of Jonah's offense. The Hebrew idiom "feared a great fear" (יראו יראה גדולה) emphasizes the overwhelming and awe-inspiring nature of their terror.
* **"and said unto him, Why hast thou done this?"**: This question is born out of shock, bewilderment, and accusation. It's a rhetorical question expressing their dismay and the gravity of Jonah's actions. They grasp that Jonah's disobedience is the direct cause of their life-threatening predicament, and they are horrified by the implications of defying such a powerful deity.
* **"For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them."**: This final clause provides the crucial explanation for their heightened fear. Jonah's prior confession (likely in [Jonah 1:9](/jonah/1-9 "Jonah 1:9 - Jonah's Confession")) revealed the full scope of his rebellion—that he was not merely traveling but actively attempting to escape the direct oversight and command of the LORD, the sovereign God of all creation. This knowledge transformed their fear from that of a natural disaster to a terrifying encounter with divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "exceedingly afraid," emphasizing the extraordinary and overwhelming nature of the sailors' terror. This is not just fear, but a "great fear," suggesting a fear that transcends mere physical danger to encompass a spiritual dread. **Irony** is present in the fact that Jonah, the prophet of the true God, is fleeing from Him, while the pagan sailors are brought to a realization of God's power through this very act of disobedience. The sailors' question, "Why hast thou done this?", serves as a form of **Rhetorical Question**, expressing their shock, accusation, and the profound gravity of Jonah's actions. Finally, the concept of "fled from the presence of the LORD" utilizes **Anthropomorphism** to describe God's omnipresence and active involvement, even though God is spirit and has no physical "presence" to flee from in a literal sense.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 1:10 is a pivotal verse that underscores the inescapable sovereignty of God and the far-reaching consequences of disobedience. The sailors' profound fear is not merely a reaction to the storm, but an awe-filled recognition of the God who commands it, a God from whom His own prophet attempted to flee. This demonstrates that God's power and authority extend beyond Israel to the Gentile nations, revealing Himself even through judgment. It highlights that sin against God has ripple effects, impacting not only the individual but also those in their immediate sphere, bringing peril and distress. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in His creation and that attempts to evade His will are ultimately futile and costly.

* [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord")
* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 1:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and seekers alike. For those who follow Christ, it serves as a stark reminder that our choices, particularly those of disobedience to God's clear calling, do not occur in a vacuum. Our rebellion can have tangible and often painful consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those around us, even innocent parties. This should compel us to a deeper commitment to immediate and humble obedience, recognizing the interconnectedness of the body of Christ and the broader world. Furthermore, the verse powerfully illustrates the inescapable nature of God's presence and His unwavering sovereignty. We cannot run from His call, His gaze, or His righteous consequences. Instead of attempting to flee, we are called to embrace His will, trusting in His wisdom and goodness even when His commands seem daunting. For those exploring faith, the sailors' reaction reveals a God who is not distant or passive but actively involved in human affairs, powerful enough to command nature, and worthy of profound respect and attention. It invites us to consider the gravity of our own standing before such a God and the wisdom of aligning our lives with His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be attempting to "flee from the presence of the LORD" instead of embracing His will?**
* **How have your choices, whether obedient or disobedient, impacted those around you?**
* **What does the sailors' "exceeding fear" teach us about the proper reverence and awe due to God?**
* **How does understanding God's inescapable sovereignty influence your willingness to obey Him, even when it's difficult?**

### FAQ
**Why were the men "exceedingly afraid" after Jonah told them he was fleeing the LORD?**

Answer: Their fear escalated dramatically because they realized the true identity and power of the God Jonah had defied. Previously, their fear was primarily of the storm itself. But when Jonah confessed that he was a Hebrew who worshiped the LORD, the God who "made the sea and the dry land" ([Jonah 1:9](/jonah/1-9 "Jonah 1:9 - Jonah's Confession")), and that he was actively fleeing from this omnipotent God, they understood that the storm was not a random act of nature but a direct manifestation of divine wrath. They grasped the immense gravity of Jonah's sin and the terrifying power of the God he had offended, leading to a profound, spiritual dread that transcended mere physical terror.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah 1:10, with its depiction of a prophet fleeing God's presence and bringing peril upon others, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jonah brought a storm through his disobedience, Jesus, the true Prophet, willingly faced the storm of God's wrath for humanity's sin, not by fleeing but by obediently embracing His mission. Just as Jonah was cast into the sea to quell the storm, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was "cast out" and crucified to appease God's righteous judgment and bring peace to a world tempest-tossed by sin. Unlike Jonah, who brought terror to the sailors, Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice, brings true peace and reconciliation. The sign of Jonah, referenced by Jesus Himself in [Matthew 12:39-41](/matthew/12-39-41 "Matthew 12:39-41 - The Sign of Jonah"), points to Christ's death and resurrection, where He willingly entered the depths of death to conquer it, emerging victorious to offer salvation to all, Jew and Gentile alike. The sailors' dawning realization of God's power in [Jonah 1:10](/jonah/1-10 "Jonah 1:10 - Sailors' Fear and Question") foreshadows the universal revelation of God's glory and saving power through Christ, who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), calming not just physical storms but the spiritual tempest in the human heart.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jonah 1:3

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Job 27:22

For [God] shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.

2 Samuel 24:3

And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see [it]: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Daniel 5:9

Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

Joshua 7:25

And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

John 19:8

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;