Jonah 1:8

KJV

Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil [is] upon us; What [is] thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what [is] thy country? and of what people [art] thou?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} they unto him, Tell {H5046} us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil {H7451} is upon us; What is thine occupation {H4399}? and whence {H370} comest {H935} thou? what is thy country {H776}? and of what people {H5971} art thou?

Complete Jewish Bible

They said to him, "Tell us now, why has this calamity come upon us? What work do you do? Where are you from? What is your country? Which is your people?"

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell us now,” they demanded, “who is to blame for this calamity that is upon us? What is your occupation, and where have you come from? What is your country, and who are your people?”

American Standard Version

Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; what is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
After the mariners cast lots and identified Jonah as the cause of the terrifying storm, Jonah 1:8 records their urgent and multi-faceted interrogation of the prophet. They demand to know the specific reason for the calamity, his occupation, his origin, his country, and his people, seeking to understand the nature of his offense and the identity of the deity he had offended, in a desperate attempt to appease the powerful force threatening their lives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jonah 1:8 is a pivotal moment in the narrative, immediately following the casting of lots which definitively points to Jonah as the source of the divine wrath. The preceding verses detail the escalating crisis: a [great storm sent by the Lord](/jonah/1-4 "Jonah 1:4 - The Lord Sends a Great Wind") that threatens to break the ship apart, the mariners' desperate cries to their own gods, their attempts to lighten the ship, and their discovery of Jonah asleep below deck. The mariners, having exhausted their own efforts and recognizing the supernatural nature of the tempest, resort to divination. Once the lot falls on Jonah, their questions in this verse are not merely curious but an urgent, life-or-death inquiry, setting the stage for Jonah's confession in [Jonah 1:9](/jonah/1-9 "Jonah 1:9 - Jonah's Confession to the Mariners"). This interrogation highlights the mariners' shift from general fear to a focused search for the specific cause of the "evil" (calamity) and a path to appeasement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, it was a common belief that natural disasters, especially severe storms, were often signs of divine displeasure, usually directed at a specific individual or group who had committed a grave offense against a god. The practice of casting lots was a widely accepted method of divination to ascertain the will of the gods or to identify a culprit in times of crisis, as seen in various ancient cultures and even in [biblical narratives](/1_samuel/14-41-42 "1 Samuel 14:41-42 - Saul and Jonathan's Lot"). Mariners, in particular, were highly superstitious, deeply reliant on the elements, and acutely aware of the dangers of the sea, often attributing favorable or unfavorable conditions to divine intervention. Their questions about Jonah's occupation, country, and people were typical inquiries to understand a stranger's identity and, crucially, which god or gods he served, as this would inform their understanding of the offended deity and the nature of the transgression.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes within the book of Jonah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as the mariners immediately perceive the storm as an act of divine judgment, even before knowing Jonah's God. Their questions are an attempt to understand the specific nature of this judgment. Secondly, the theme of **Accountability for Disobedience** is central; the mariners instinctively link the "evil" (calamity) to a specific individual's actions, demonstrating a universal understanding that actions have consequences, especially when defying a powerful deity. This sets up Jonah's subsequent confession of his flight from the Lord's command to go to [Nineveh](/jonah/3 "Jonah 3 - Jonah's Preaching in Nineveh"). Thirdly, the mariners' desperate interrogation reveals the theme of **Human Desperation and the Search for Truth** in the face of overwhelming circumstances, contrasting with Jonah's initial apathy. Their relentless questioning ("What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?") illustrates their urgent need to uncover the truth and find a solution to the peril they face, foreshadowing their later conversion and worship of the God of Israel in [Jonah 1:16](/jonah/1-16 "Jonah 1:16 - The Mariners Fear the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** While this word (H7451) can refer to moral wickedness, in this context, it primarily denotes a calamity, disaster, or distress. The mariners are not accusing Jonah of being inherently evil in character, but rather of being the cause of the "bad" or "harmful" situation that has befallen them – the violent storm. This highlights their understanding of the storm as a direct, punitive consequence, not a random act of nature.
* **occupation (Hebrew, _mᵉlâʼkâh'_):** This term (H4399) refers to one's work, business, or employment. The mariners' question about Jonah's occupation seeks to understand his role in society, perhaps hoping to glean information about his status, his typical activities, or any specific religious or professional duties that might relate to his current predicament or his deity. It's a fundamental question for identifying a person in the ancient world.
* **whence (Hebrew, _ʼayin'_)::** This interrogative (H370) asks "from where?" or "where from?". Coupled with "comest thou" (H935, _bôwʼ_), it is a direct inquiry into Jonah's origin. This was crucial for identifying a person's tribal affiliation, the gods they worshipped, and their connection to specific lands or peoples, all of which could be relevant to understanding the divine wrath they were experiencing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil [is] upon us;":** Following the casting of lots, the mariners immediately turn to Jonah, demanding an explanation. Their primary concern is to identify the specific reason for the "evil" (calamity/storm) that has befallen them. The phrase "we pray thee" indicates their desperate urgency and a plea for truth, recognizing that their lives depend on his answer. They are convinced that the storm is not random but a direct consequence of someone's actions.
* **"What [is] thine occupation?":** This is the first of a rapid-fire series of questions designed to ascertain Jonah's identity and background. Knowing his occupation would provide insight into his social standing, his daily life, and potentially any religious or professional obligations that might be relevant to his current situation or his relationship with his God.
* **"and whence comest thou?":** This question seeks to pinpoint Jonah's geographical origin. In the ancient world, one's place of birth or residence was intrinsically linked to their national identity, their cultural practices, and, most importantly, the deities they worshipped. Understanding his origin would help them identify the specific deity or deities he had offended.
* **"what [is] thy country?":** This question reinforces the previous one, aiming to clarify his national allegiance or the land from which he hails. It's a broader inquiry into his homeland, further narrowing down the potential identity of the offended deity and the cultural context of his transgression.
* **"and of what people [art] thou?":** This final question in the series seeks to understand his ethnic or tribal identity. In a world defined by communal and familial ties, knowing his "people" would complete the picture of who Jonah was, what gods he served, and what customs he observed. This comprehensive interrogation underscores the mariners' desperate need for information to understand and potentially rectify the dire situation.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Interrogation**, as the mariners bombard Jonah with a series of direct, urgent questions. This rapid-fire questioning ("What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?") creates a palpable sense of **Urgency** and desperation, mirroring the life-threatening storm. The structure of the questions also demonstrates **Climax** or **Intensification**, moving from the general cause of the "evil" to increasingly specific details about Jonah's identity (occupation, origin, country, people), revealing their comprehensive attempt to understand the situation. Furthermore, the mariners' immediate assumption that the "evil" is *upon them* "for whose cause" highlights a strong sense of **Causality** and **Divine Retribution** in their worldview, reflecting a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of calamity as a direct consequence of offense against a deity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 1:8 serves as a profound theological bridge, connecting the immediate crisis to broader biblical themes of divine justice, human responsibility, and the universal recognition of a higher power. The mariners' questions, though born of pagan worldview, reflect an innate human understanding that moral failures can provoke cosmic consequences. Their desperate search for the "cause" of the "evil" foreshadows Jonah's own confession and the subsequent demonstration of God's power over creation and His willingness to save those who turn to Him, regardless of their background. This scene highlights that even outside the covenant people, there can be an intuitive grasp of divine accountability, setting the stage for the profound theological lessons that unfold throughout the book.

* [Genesis 3:9-11](/genesis/3-9-11 "Genesis 3:9-11 - God Questions Adam")
* [Joshua 7:16-19](/joshua/7-16-19 "Joshua 7:16-19 - Achan's Confession")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 1:8 offers a powerful mirror for self-reflection, urging us to consider the ripple effects of our own disobedience. Just as Jonah's flight from God's command brought a storm upon innocent mariners, our unaddressed sin can often have unintended consequences, impacting those around us and disrupting the peace of our communities. This passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all creation, even using natural phenomena to bring about His purposes and expose hidden rebellion. When facing personal or communal "storms," whether physical or spiritual, it is wise to humbly examine our own hearts and lives, asking if there are areas of unconfessed sin or unfulfilled obedience that might be contributing to the distress. The mariners' desperate search for truth should inspire us to be equally diligent in seeking God's will and confessing our failings, trusting in His grace to bring calm to our chaos and restoration to our souls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" in my life or the lives of those around me might be connected to unaddressed disobedience or a failure to follow God's clear commands?**
* **How willing am I to undergo a "self-interrogation" like Jonah, allowing God to reveal hidden areas of rebellion or apathy in my heart?**
* **In what ways might my personal choices, even seemingly private ones, be impacting the well-being or spiritual journey of others?**

### FAQ

**Why did the mariners ask so many questions about Jonah's identity?**

Answer: The mariners' series of questions—"What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?"—was not merely out of curiosity but born of desperate necessity. In the ancient world, one's identity (occupation, origin, country, people) was inextricably linked to their religious allegiances and the specific deities they worshipped. Since they believed the storm was a divine judgment, understanding *who* Jonah was would help them identify *which* god he had offended. This knowledge was crucial for them to understand the nature of the transgression and, hopefully, to perform the correct appeasement rituals to calm the sea and save their lives. Their questions reflect a common ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking to identify the specific deity involved in a calamity to properly respond, as seen in various ancient texts and practices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jonah 1:8 portrays desperate pagan mariners interrogating a disobedient prophet, it subtly points to Christ in its underlying themes of divine judgment, human culpability, and the ultimate need for a deliverer. The mariners' search for "whose cause this evil is upon us" foreshadows humanity's universal predicament: sin brings calamity, and a "cause" (our sin) separates us from God. Unlike Jonah, who was the *cause* of the storm due to his disobedience, Jesus Christ willingly became the *solution* to the storm of God's wrath, bearing the punishment for humanity's sin. He is the one who, when facing the ultimate "storm" of the cross, did not flee but submitted to the Father's will, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Furthermore, just as Jonah was cast into the sea to save the mariners, Jesus was "cast out" onto the cross, suffering death to bring salvation to all who believe. His ultimate act of obedience and sacrifice on the cross is the true answer to the question of "for whose cause this evil is upon us," for [He was wounded for our transgressions](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions"), and by His stripes, we are healed. He is the one who truly calms the storms of life and brings peace to our souls, not by being thrown overboard, but by [laying down His life for His sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd").

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

Genesis 47:3

And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What [is] your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants [are] shepherds, both we, [and] also our fathers.

1 Samuel 30:13

And David said unto him, To whom [belongest] thou? and whence [art] thou? And he said, I [am] a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

Joshua 7:19

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Samuel 14:43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in mine hand, [and], lo, I must die.