Jonah 1:15

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Jonah 1:15 describes the dramatic climax of the initial storm in the book of Jonah, where the mariners, at Jonah's own instruction, cast him into the turbulent sea. The immediate and profound result is that "the sea ceased from her raging," bringing instant peace to the furious waters.

Context of Jonah 1:15

This verse is pivotal, following Jonah's direct disobedience to God's command to preach to the city of Nineveh. Instead of obeying, Jonah attempted to flee to Tarshish. God responded by sending a furious storm that threatened to break the ship. The pagan sailors, desperate and fearing for their lives, cast lots and discovered Jonah was the cause of their peril. After Jonah confessed his identity as a Hebrew prophet fleeing his God and instructed them to throw him overboard to save themselves, they reluctantly complied, having first made every effort to row to shore. This act of casting Jonah into the sea is not merely a human decision but a divinely orchestrated event.

Key Themes in Jonah 1:15

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The instant cessation of the storm powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation. The sea obeys God's will, not the wind or human effort. This highlights that the storm was not a natural occurrence but a divine intervention.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The entire ordeal, from the storm to Jonah being cast overboard, is a direct consequence of Jonah's initial disobedience. God uses dramatic means to bring His rebellious prophet to a place of submission.
  • Sacrifice and Atonement (Typological): Jonah's willingness to be cast out to save the lives of others, though compelled by circumstances, serves as a profound typological foreshadowing of Christ. Just as Jonah was sacrificed to bring peace and salvation to the sailors, Jesus willingly gave His life to bring peace and salvation to humanity (John 15:13).
  • Immediate Peace and Divine Intervention: The abrupt calm signifies God's direct involvement. The peace that follows Jonah's expulsion is not coincidental but a clear sign that God's wrath, expressed through the storm, was satisfied by Jonah's "sacrifice."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "ceased from her raging" emphasizes the sudden and complete stillness of the sea. The Hebrew word for "raging" (from the root za'aph or sa'ar, referring to the storm's fury) conveys intense indignation or anger. The instant tranquility after Jonah is cast out underscores that the storm was a direct manifestation of divine displeasure, which immediately subsided once the "offending" element (Jonah) was removed, according to God's plan.

Practical Application

Jonah 1:15 reminds us of several timeless truths. Firstly, God is sovereign over all circumstances, including the chaos in our lives. He can bring peace out of the most tumultuous situations. Secondly, disobedience has consequences, and God will often use uncomfortable or challenging circumstances to call us back to His will. Finally, it highlights the principle of substitutionary sacrifice—that one might suffer or be given up for the salvation or well-being of others. This verse encourages us to trust in God's control, even when His methods seem drastic, and to understand that true peace often comes through obedience and submission to His divine plan. Shortly after this, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, a testament to God's continued, miraculous work.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 107:29 (4 votes)

    He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

  • Luke 8:24 (4 votes)

    And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

  • Psalms 89:9 (3 votes)

    Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

  • Joshua 7:24 (3 votes)

    And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

  • Joshua 7:26 (3 votes)

    And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

  • Psalms 93:3 (3 votes)

    The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

  • Psalms 93:4 (3 votes)

    The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.