And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.
And said {H559}, I cried {H7121} by reason of mine affliction {H6869} unto the LORD {H3068}, and he heard {H6030} me; out of the belly {H990} of hell {H7585} cried {H7768} I, and thou heardest {H8085} my voice {H6963}.
he said, "Out of my distress I called to ADONAI, and he answered me; from the belly of Sh'ol I cried, and you heard my voice.
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.
And he said, I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, And thou heardest my voice.
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Psalms 18:4
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. -
Psalms 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears. -
Psalms 120:1
¶ A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. -
Psalms 34:6
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles. -
Psalms 86:13
For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. -
Psalms 88:1
¶ A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night before thee: -
Psalms 88:7
Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted [me] with all thy waves. Selah.
Jonah 2:2 is part of Jonah's prayer from within the belly of the great fish. This verse encapsulates the depth of his despair and his desperate cry for help, acknowledging that God heard him even from the most impossible circumstances.
Context
Having disobeyed the LORD's command to go to Nineveh, Jonah fled by ship. A great storm arose, threatening the vessel. The sailors cast lots and discovered Jonah was the cause. At his instruction, they threw him overboard, and the storm ceased. The LORD then prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he was in its belly for three days and three nights. This prayer (Jonah 2:1-9) is offered from that dark, confined, and seemingly hopeless place.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "belly of hell" uses the Hebrew word Sheol (שְׁאוֹל), which is often translated as "grave," "pit," or the realm of the dead. In this context, it signifies the lowest possible state of despair and near-death, feeling as if he were already in the grave or the underworld. It powerfully conveys the feeling of being cut off from the land of the living and any hope of rescue by human means.
Reflection
Jonah's cry from the fish's belly serves as a powerful reminder that no situation is too desperate for God's ear. Even when we find ourselves in circumstances brought about by our own poor choices or disobedience, God's mercy extends to hear our cries of affliction. His willingness to hear and respond, even from what feels like the "belly of hell," offers profound hope. It assures us that we can turn to God in our darkest moments, trusting that He hears us and has the power to deliver us from the seemingly impossible. See Psalm 86:13 for another reference to God's deliverance from the depths of Sheol.