Jonah 1:14

KJV

Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore they cried {H7121} unto the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, We beseech thee {H577}, O LORD {H3068}, we beseech thee, let us not perish {H6} for this man's {H376} life {H5315}, and lay {H5414} not upon us innocent {H5355}{H5355} blood {H1818}: for thou, O LORD {H3068}, hast done {H6213} as it pleased {H2654} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Finally they cried to ADONAI, "Please, ADONAI, please! Don't let us perish for causing the death of this man, and don't hold us to account for shedding innocent blood; because you, ADONAI, have done what you saw fit."

Berean Standard Bible

So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.”

American Standard Version

Wherefore they cried unto Jehovah, and said, We beseech thee, O Jehovah, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Jehovah, hast done as it pleased thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 1:14 records the desperate, yet remarkably reverent, prayer of the pagan mariners to the LORD, the God of Israel, as they reluctantly prepare to cast Jonah into the raging sea. Faced with certain death from the storm and convinced by Jonah's confession and the casting of lots that he is the cause, they appeal to God's mercy, pleading not to be held accountable for shedding what they perceive as innocent blood, acknowledging His sovereign will in their dire circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the narrative of [Jonah's flight from God's command](/jonah/1 "Jonah 1 - Jonah's Disobedience and the Storm"). Having been called by the LORD to preach to Nineveh ([Jonah 1:1-2](/jonah/1-1-2 "Jonah 1:1-2 - God's Call to Jonah")), Jonah notoriously fled in the opposite direction, boarding a ship to Tarshish ([Jonah 1:3](/jonah/1-3 "Jonah 1:3 - Jonah Flees to Tarshish")). God then sent a violent storm, threatening to destroy the ship ([Jonah 1:4](/jonah/1-4 "Jonah 1:4 - The Great Storm")). While the pagan mariners desperately cried out to their own deities and lightened the ship, Jonah was found asleep ([Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Mariners' Desperation, Jonah's Sleep")). Through the casting of lots ([Jonah 1:7](/jonah/1-7 "Jonah 1:7 - The Lot Falls on Jonah")) and Jonah's subsequent confession ([Jonah 1:8-10](/jonah/1-8-10 "Jonah 1:8-10 - Jonah's Confession")), the mariners discovered that Jonah was the cause of their peril. When they asked what to do, Jonah instructed them to throw him overboard to calm the sea ([Jonah 1:11-12](/jonah/1-11-12 "Jonah 1:11-12 - Jonah's Instruction to be Cast Overboard")). Despite their initial attempts to row back to land ([Jonah 1:13](/jonah/1-13 "Jonah 1:13 - Mariners' Futile Efforts")), the storm intensified, leading them to this agonizing prayer before fulfilling Jonah's request.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mariners in this account were likely Phoenician or other Mediterranean sailors, accustomed to a polytheistic worldview, where various gods were associated with natural phenomena, including the sea. Their initial actions in [Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Mariners' Desperation, Jonah's Sleep")—crying out to "his god"—reflect this common practice. However, their encounter with Jonah and the overwhelming power of the storm, which only intensified after their attempts to row, led them to a profound realization of the supremacy of Jonah's God, Yahweh. Their concern about shedding "innocent blood" reflects a universal moral principle found in many ancient cultures, often tied to the concept of divine retribution for unjust killing. This moral compass, coupled with their growing fear of the LORD, highlights the extraordinary nature of their conversion or at least their profound reverence for the God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jonah. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, as the mariners explicitly acknowledge that the LORD "hast done as it pleased thee," recognizing God's absolute control over the storm, their lives, and the unfolding events. This contrasts sharply with Jonah's attempt to flee God's will, underscoring that no one can escape the [LORD's omnipresence and power](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence"). Another significant theme is the **Moral Conscience and Fear of God** exhibited by the pagan mariners. Despite their background, they demonstrate a remarkable moral sensitivity, fearing to commit what they perceive as an act of murder. Their plea, "let us not perish for this man's life," indicates a deep-seated fear of divine retribution for taking a life, revealing their growing reverence for the powerful God of Israel, a reverence that surpasses even the prophet's initial obedience. Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Prayer in Desperation**, as the mariners, faced with certain death, turn to the LORD in earnest supplication, illustrating that even those outside of covenant relationship can be driven to seek God's mercy in overwhelming circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the covenant name of God, Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." The mariners' repeated use of "LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) in their desperate prayer is highly significant. It indicates a shift from their generic "gods" ([Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Mariners' Desperation, Jonah's Sleep")) to a specific acknowledgment of the supreme power and authority of Israel's God, whom they now understand to be the true orchestrator of the storm and their fate.
* **innocent blood (Hebrew, _nâqîy dâm'_):** From H5355 (_nâqîy_), meaning "innocent, blameless, guiltless," and H1818 (_dâm_), meaning "blood (as that which when shed causes death)." The phrase "innocent blood" reflects a profound moral concern for the sanctity of human life. The mariners, despite not being adherents of the Mosaic Law, instinctively grasp the gravity of taking a life without just cause. They fear divine judgment for an act they perceive as murder, even if it is done under duress to save their own lives. This highlights a universal moral law inscribed on the human heart ([Romans 2:14-15](/romans/2-14-15 "Romans 2:14-15 - Law Written on Hearts")).
* **pleased (Hebrew, _châphêts'_):** From H2654, a primitive root meaning "to incline to; by implication...to be pleased with, desire." When the mariners declare, "for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee," they are acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty and His unchallengeable will. They recognize that the storm and their predicament are not random occurrences but are directly orchestrated by God's deliberate purpose and pleasure. This statement is an act of submission and a profound theological confession from those who were previously polytheists.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee,"**: This opening clause reveals the mariners' shift in allegiance and their desperate supplication. Having exhausted all other options and recognizing the futility of their own strength against the storm, they turn to the God of Jonah, Yahweh. The repetition of "We beseech thee, O LORD" underscores the intensity of their plea, their utter dependence, and their newfound reverence for the true God. It is a prayer born of profound fear and an emerging faith.
* **"let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood:"**: This is the core of their petition, expressing a deep moral dilemma. They are being asked to take a life to save their own, a choice they find morally repugnant. They plead for divine mercy, asking God not to hold them accountable for Jonah's death, which they consider the shedding of "innocent blood." Their concern is not just for their physical survival but also for their spiritual culpability before the God who controls life and death.
* **"for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee."**: This concluding declaration is a powerful theological statement. It is an acknowledgment of God's absolute sovereignty and His unchallengeable will. The mariners recognize that the storm, their predicament, and even Jonah's presence among them are not random chance but are the direct result of God's deliberate purpose. This statement serves as both a justification for their actions (they are merely fulfilling God's will) and a confession of His ultimate authority over all creation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee," which emphasizes the mariners' earnestness, desperation, and the profound nature of their prayer. This repeated plea highlights their recognition of the LORD's authority and their deep desire for His mercy. There is significant **Irony** in this scene: the pagan mariners, initially worshipping false gods, exhibit a greater fear of the LORD and a more profound moral conscience regarding the sanctity of life than Jonah, the prophet of Yahweh, who had willfully disobeyed God and was willing to sacrifice himself to escape his mission. This inversion of roles underscores God's ability to work through unexpected individuals and to reveal Himself even to those outside the covenant. Finally, the concluding statement, "for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee," functions as a **Theological Statement** of divine sovereignty. It is a concise, yet powerful, affirmation of God's absolute control over all circumstances, demonstrating the mariners' dawning understanding of Yahweh's omnipotence and purposeful action in the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 1:14 stands as a profound testament to God's universal sovereignty and His ability to reveal Himself even to those who do not formally know Him. The mariners' prayer, born of desperation, transcends their pagan background, demonstrating an innate moral compass and a dawning recognition of the true God's power and justice. Their fear of shedding "innocent blood" resonates deeply with the Old Testament's emphasis on the sanctity of life and God's abhorrence of unjust killing, reflecting a universal moral law that God has inscribed on the human heart. This verse underscores that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even through human disobedience, and that His power is undeniable to all who truly encounter it.

* [Psalm 107:28-29](/psalms/107-28-29 "Psalm 107:28-29 - God Calms the Storm"): This passage describes people crying out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivers them from their distress, calming the storm and stilling the waves, paralleling the mariners' experience and God's power over nature.
* [Deuteronomy 19:10](/deuteronomy/19-10 "Deuteronomy 19:10 - Avoiding Innocent Blood"): Old Testament law explicitly warns against shedding innocent blood, lest "bloodguiltiness be upon thee," reinforcing the moral principle the mariners instinctively grasp.
* [Acts 17:26-28](/acts/17-26-28 "Acts 17:26-28 - God's Sovereignty and Human Search"): Paul's sermon on Mars Hill speaks of God's universal governance and how He has ordered all things so that people might "grope for Him and find Him," illustrating how the mariners, in their crisis, were led to acknowledge the true God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 1:14 offers a powerful mirror for our own lives, especially in moments of crisis. It challenges us to consider where we turn when our own strength and resources fail. The mariners, initially relying on their own gods and efforts, ultimately recognized the undeniable sovereignty of the LORD. This prompts us to examine our own willingness to acknowledge God's hand in difficult circumstances, even when His will seems perplexing or demanding. Their moral aversion to shedding "innocent blood" also serves as a poignant reminder of the sanctity of human life and the weight of our moral choices before God. In our own desperate moments, do we, like the mariners, turn to the true God with earnest prayer, acknowledging His ultimate control and seeking His mercy, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths or making difficult decisions? This verse encourages a posture of humility and trust, reminding us that God is actively involved in our world, working His purposes, and that even in the most chaotic situations, His will ultimately prevails.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what desperate situations have you seen God's sovereignty most clearly at work, even if it was initially unsettling?**
* **How does the mariners' concern for "innocent blood" challenge your own understanding of moral responsibility and the sanctity of life, especially in difficult choices?**
* **When faced with overwhelming circumstances, do you first exhaust your own solutions, or do you immediately turn to the LORD in earnest prayer, acknowledging His ultimate control?**
* **What does the mariners' prayer teach us about the nature of true reverence and fear of God, even for those who are not formally "religious"?**

### FAQ

**Why were the mariners so reluctant to throw Jonah overboard, even though it meant saving their own lives?**

Answer: The mariners' reluctance stemmed from a profound moral aversion to taking a human life, especially one they perceived as "innocent." Despite their desperate situation and Jonah's own instruction to cast him into the sea, they understood that intentionally causing someone's death carried grave moral and spiritual consequences. Their plea, "lay not upon us innocent blood," indicates their fear of divine retribution for such an act. This reflects a universal moral principle concerning the sanctity of life, which transcends their polytheistic background and shows their growing reverence for the powerful God of Israel, whom they now recognized as the source of the storm. They sought to avoid bloodguiltiness, even under duress.

**What does "innocent blood" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "innocent blood" refers to the life of Jonah, which the mariners did not believe they had a just cause to take. While Jonah was disobedient to God, he had not committed any offense against the mariners that would warrant a death sentence by their human standards. They viewed his life as "innocent" in the sense that they had no right to execute him. Their concern aligns with biblical principles found throughout the Old Testament that condemn the shedding of innocent blood ([Deuteronomy 19:10](/deuteronomy/19-10 "Deuteronomy 19:10 - Avoiding Innocent Blood"); [Psalm 106:38](/psalms/106-38 "Psalm 106:38 - Shedding Innocent Blood")). They feared that if they killed Jonah, even to save themselves, God would hold them accountable for his death.

**How did pagan sailors know to pray to the LORD, the God of Israel?**

Answer: The mariners came to know and pray to the LORD through their direct encounter with the overwhelming power of the storm and through Jonah's confession. After the lot fell on Jonah ([Jonah 1:7](/jonah/1-7 "Jonah 1:7 - The Lot Falls on Jonah")), they questioned him about his identity and his God ([Jonah 1:8](/jonah/1-8 "Jonah 1:8 - Mariners Question Jonah")). Jonah then revealed that he was a Hebrew and that he feared "the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land" ([Jonah 1:9](/jonah/1-9 "Jonah 1:9 - Jonah's Confession of God")). When the storm intensified after their attempts to row back to land, they recognized that this God was uniquely powerful and was directly responsible for their predicament. Their prayer in [Jonah 1:14](/jonah/1-14 "Jonah 1:14 - Mariners' Prayer") is a direct response to this revelation, acknowledging His supremacy and seeking His mercy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah 1:14, with its poignant depiction of an "innocent life" being given to avert destruction, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as Jonah was cast into the sea to save the lives of others from the storm, so too was Jesus, the truly innocent One, "cut off from the land of the living" ([Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Christ's Suffering and Death")) and offered as a sacrifice to save humanity from the storm of God's righteous wrath against sin. The mariners' plea not to be held accountable for "innocent blood" finds its profound fulfillment in the New Testament's declaration that Jesus' blood was shed not as a consequence of their sin, but as a substitutionary atonement for the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). Unlike Jonah, who was disobedient, Jesus was perfectly obedient, willingly laying down His life ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")) to appease divine justice and reconcile humanity to God. The mariners' dawning fear of the LORD and their subsequent offering of sacrifices ([Jonah 1:16](/jonah/1-16 "Jonah 1:16 - Mariners' Fear and Sacrifice")) point to the universal impact of God's redemptive plan, made possible through the "innocent blood" of Christ, which cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")) and brings us into a saving relationship with the sovereign God.

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

Psalms 115:3

But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Psalms 135:6

Whatsoever the LORD pleased, [that] did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Deuteronomy 21:8

Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

Psalms 107:28

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Ephesians 1:11

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Daniel 4:34

¶ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?