Jonah 1:6

KJV

So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the shipmaster {H7227}{H2259} came {H7126} to him, and said {H559} unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper {H7290}? arise {H6965}, call {H7121} upon thy God {H430}, if so be that God {H430} will think {H6245} upon us, that we perish {H6} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

The ship's captain found him and said to him, "What do you mean by sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Maybe the god will remember us, and we won't die."

Berean Standard Bible

The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”

American Standard Version

So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 1:6 captures a moment of profound irony and divine intervention, as a desperate pagan shipmaster confronts the sleeping prophet Jonah amidst a divinely sent storm. While the mariners frantically seek salvation from their gods, the man commissioned by the one true God is found in a deep slumber, highlighting his spiritual apathy and disobedience. The shipmaster's urgent plea for Jonah to "arise, call upon thy God" serves as a pivotal wake-up call, underscoring the universal human instinct to appeal to a higher power in crisis and setting the stage for God's sovereign plan to unfold despite human rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within the immediate narrative of [Jonah chapter 1](/jonah/1 "Jonah Chapter 1 - Jonah Flees God's Command"). Prior to this, God has commanded Jonah to preach to Nineveh ([Jonah 1:2](/jonah/1-2 "Jonah 1:2 - God Commands Jonah")), but Jonah has deliberately disobeyed and fled by ship towards Tarshish ([Jonah 1:3](/jonah/1-3 "Jonah 1:3 - Jonah Flees")). In response to Jonah's rebellion, the Lord hurls a great wind upon the sea, creating a violent storm that threatens to break the ship apart ([Jonah 1:4](/jonah/1-4 "Jonah 1:4 - The Lord Sends a Storm")). The pagan sailors, in their terror, cry out to their respective gods and begin throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship, demonstrating their desperate attempts to save themselves ([Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Sailors Cry Out to Their Gods")). It is in this chaotic scene of pagan desperation and divine judgment that the shipmaster discovers Jonah, the prophet of Yahweh, inexplicably asleep below deck, setting up the dramatic confrontation of this verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a Phoenician merchant ship sailing the Mediterranean Sea, a common route for trade in the ancient Near East. Seafaring was perilous, and sailors often attributed storms to the wrath of various deities, hence their fervent prayers to "their god" (plural, [Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Sailors Cry Out to Their Gods")). The shipmaster, likely a seasoned mariner, would have been experienced in navigating such dangers, yet this storm was clearly beyond human control, prompting his desperate search for any potential divine intervention. The concept of a prophet, a spokesperson for a particular deity, was also understood in the ancient world, though the unique relationship between Yahweh and His prophets, like Jonah, set them apart. The shipmaster's appeal to Jonah's "God" reflects a pragmatic polytheism, where one would appeal to any god who might have power over the current crisis.
* **Key Themes:** [Jonah 1:6](/jonah/1-6 "Jonah 1:6 - The Shipmaster Confronts Jonah") powerfully illustrates several key themes. The most prominent is the **Irony of Faith and Disobedience**: The pagan shipmaster, a man outside the covenant, demonstrates more spiritual urgency and a clearer understanding of the need for divine intervention than Jonah, the prophet of the true God, who is found in a state of deep spiritual and physical slumber. This highlights the profound disconnect between Jonah's calling and his current actions. Another theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**: Even in Jonah's disobedience, God remains sovereign. He orchestrates the storm ([Jonah 1:4](/jonah/1-4 "The Lord Sends a Storm")) and uses the shipmaster, an unexpected agent, to awaken His prophet, thus initiating the process of Jonah's repentance and the fulfillment of God's purpose. Finally, the verse touches on the **Universal Human Need for Prayer and Divine Aid**: The shipmaster's plea, "call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not," reveals a fundamental human recognition that in the face of overwhelming danger, only a higher power can provide salvation, a recognition that later leads the sailors to fear and worship the Lord ([Jonah 1:16](/jonah/1-16 "Jonah 1:16 - The Sailors Fear the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shipmaster (Hebrew, _chôbêl'_):** (H2259) This term refers to an active participant in handling ropes, a sailor, or specifically, a pilot or shipmaster. The use of this word emphasizes his role as the one in charge of the vessel, responsible for its safety and the lives on board. His desperate action underscores the severity of the storm and the failure of all human efforts.
* **sleeper (Hebrew, _râdam'_):** (H7290) Derived from a primitive root meaning "to stun" or "stupefy," this word denotes a deep, heavy sleep, akin to a stupor or even death. In the context of Jonah's flight and the raging storm, it carries a strong metaphorical weight, suggesting not just physical unconsciousness but a profound spiritual lethargy and disengagement from his divine mandate and the dire reality surrounding him.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** (H430) This plural noun, used here with reference to Jonah's God, is a common Hebrew term for deity. While it can refer to gods in a general sense, when used with the article or in specific contexts like this, it often refers to the supreme God, Yahweh. The shipmaster's use of "thy God" indicates his understanding that Jonah's God is distinct from their own deities, yet he attributes to Him the power to intervene and save.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes the critical interaction. The shipmaster, the leader of the vessel, takes the initiative to seek out Jonah, indicating the depth of the crisis and the sailors' inability to resolve it on their own. His direct address signals a confrontation.
* **"What meanest thou, O sleeper?"**: This is a sharp rebuke, expressing incredulity and urgency. The shipmaster's question is rhetorical, conveying his astonishment that Jonah could be so oblivious to the life-threatening storm. The epithet "sleeper" is loaded with irony, contrasting Jonah's deep slumber with the frantic activity of the pagan sailors and his own prophetic calling.
* **"arise, call upon thy God,"**: This is a direct command and an appeal for action. The shipmaster urges Jonah to "arise," not just physically but implicitly, to awaken to his spiritual responsibility. He then instructs Jonah to "call upon thy God," recognizing that Jonah, as a prophet, has a unique connection to a powerful deity who might be able to intervene.
* **"if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not."**: This final phrase reveals the shipmaster's desperate hope and the purpose of his command. He expresses a conditional hope ("if so be") that Jonah's God might "think upon" them, implying a merciful consideration or intervention. His ultimate concern is survival ("that we perish not"), highlighting the universal human desire for deliverance from destruction.

#### Literary Devices
[Jonah 1:6](/jonah/1-6 "Jonah 1:6 - The Shipmaster Confronts Jonah") is rich with **Irony**, particularly the dramatic contrast between the pagan shipmaster's spiritual earnestness and the prophet Jonah's profound spiritual apathy. The ungodly man is the one urging the man of God to pray, a situation that powerfully underscores Jonah's rebellion and the surprising spiritual sensitivity of those outside the covenant. The term "sleeper" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, not only describing Jonah's physical state but also his spiritual lethargy, his disengagement from God's command, and his obliviousness to the divine judgment unfolding around him. This verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the shipmaster's desperate plea for divine intervention and the idea that Jonah's God might "think upon us" anticipate the later events where God indeed acts to save both Jonah and the repentant Ninevites, demonstrating His universal concern and sovereign power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 1:6 powerfully illustrates the paradox of human spiritual states and divine sovereignty. It reveals that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human disobedience; rather, He uses even the unlikeliest of agents (a pagan shipmaster) and the most desperate of circumstances (a life-threatening storm) to bring His will to pass and to awaken His chosen instruments. The shipmaster's desperate call for prayer underscores a universal human instinct to seek divine intervention in crisis, a recognition that God is the ultimate source of salvation. This scene also highlights the profound responsibility that comes with knowing the true God, contrasting Jonah's spiritual slumber with the urgent spiritual seeking of those who do not yet know Him.

* [Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23-30 "Psalm 107:23-30 - God's Deliverance from Storms"): This psalm describes sailors crying out to the Lord in a storm, and He delivers them, paralleling the shipmaster's hope for divine intervention.
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Power of Prayer"): "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This verse speaks to the power of prayer, which the shipmaster instinctively seeks from Jonah.
* [Ephesians 5:14](/ephesians/5-14 "Ephesians 5:14 - Wake Up, Sleeper!"): "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." This New Testament call to spiritual awakening echoes the shipmaster's literal and metaphorical call to Jonah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 1:6 serves as a stark mirror for contemporary believers. Are we, like Jonah, spiritually asleep when we should be awake and engaged with God's mission? This verse challenges us to examine our own spiritual posture: Do we exhibit apathy or indifference when God calls us to uncomfortable tasks or when the world around us is in crisis? The shipmaster's desperate plea reminds us that God can use unexpected voices and circumstances to rouse us from our spiritual slumber and redirect us toward His will. It also prompts us to consider the urgency of prayer, not just for ourselves but for those around us who are perishing, both physically and spiritually. Our obedience and prayer can have far-reaching implications, potentially affecting the salvation of many. Furthermore, this passage encourages us to recognize the spiritual hunger in those who may not yet know Christ, and to be ready to share the hope of the true God with them, just as the shipmaster sought hope from Jonah.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually "asleep" or disengaged from God's will?**
* **How does the urgency of the pagan shipmaster's plea challenge my own prayer life and sense of spiritual responsibility?**
* **Am I willing to be awakened by unexpected circumstances or individuals, even those outside my comfort zone or faith tradition, if God is using them to call me to obedience?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jonah sleeping so deeply amidst such a violent storm?**

Answer: Jonah's deep sleep, described by the Hebrew word _râdam_ (H7290), suggests more than mere physical exhaustion; it implies a profound stupor or spiritual lethargy. While the physical rocking of the ship might have contributed, his sleep is often interpreted as a manifestation of his deliberate flight from God's presence and command. It represents a spiritual disengagement, a desire to escape the reality of his disobedience and the divine judgment unfolding around him. He was trying to escape God's will, and his sleep could be seen as a psychological coping mechanism or a symbolic representation of his spiritual deadness to God's call to Nineveh. This contrasts sharply with the desperate actions of the pagan sailors and highlights the irony of the situation, where the prophet of the true God is less spiritually aware than those who do not know Him ([Jonah 1:5](/jonah/1-5 "Jonah 1:5 - Sailors Cry Out to Their Gods")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah 1:6, with its striking scene of a sleeping prophet and a desperate plea for divine intervention, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Jonah's deep slumber amidst the storm, a consequence of his disobedience, stands in stark contrast to Jesus's own sleep during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. While Jonah's sleep symbolized his rebellion and spiritual apathy, Jesus's sleep demonstrated His perfect peace and divine authority, for He awoke to rebuke the wind and the waves, bringing instant calm ([Matthew 8:23-27](/matthew/8-23-27 "Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calms the Storm"); [Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). The shipmaster's desperate cry, "arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not," foreshadows the universal human cry for salvation from perishing, a cry that is ultimately answered in Christ. He is the one true God who "thought upon us" in our desperate state of sin and spiritual death, not merely to prevent physical perishing but eternal destruction. Jesus Himself calls humanity to "awake" from spiritual slumber and "arise from the dead" ([Ephesians 5:14](/ephesians/5-14 "Ephesians 5:14 - Wake Up, Sleeper!")), offering light and life. Furthermore, Jonah's mission, though initially resisted, points to Christ's ultimate mission to seek and save the lost, extending salvation not just to Israel but to the Gentiles, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

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 3:9

Who can tell [if] God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

2 Samuel 12:22

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

Psalms 107:28

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

Psalms 107:29

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

Mark 4:37

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

Mark 4:41

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Psalms 107:12

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and [there was] none to help.