Jonah 2:7

KJV

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

KJV (with Strong's)

When my soul {H5315} fainted {H5848} within me I remembered {H2142} the LORD {H3068}: and my prayer {H8605} came in {H935} unto thee, into thine holy {H6944} temple {H1964}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As my life was ebbing away, I remembered ADONAI; and my prayer came in to you, into your holy temple.

Berean Standard Bible

As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple.

American Standard Version

When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; And my prayer came in unto thee, into thy holy temple.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 2:7 marks the critical turning point in Jonah's prayer from the belly of the great fish, revealing his shift from utter despair to a renewed remembrance of the LORD. In this moment of near-death, Jonah's desperate cry reaches God's presence, signifying the efficacy of sincere prayer even from the most impossible circumstances and affirming God's omnipresent accessibility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jonah's remarkable prayer found in [Jonah chapter 2](/jonah/2 "Jonah's Prayer from the Fish's Belly"). Following his deliberate disobedience to God's command to preach in Nineveh ([Jonah 1:1-3](/jonah/1-1-3 "Jonah's Disobedience")), Jonah was cast into the sea during a violent storm and swallowed by a great fish ([Jonah 1:15-17](/jonah/1-15-17 "Jonah Cast Overboard and Swallowed by a Fish")). The prayer itself, spanning [Jonah 2:2-9](/jonah/2-2-9 "Jonah's Prayer of Deliverance"), is a psalm of thanksgiving and petition, recalling his descent into the depths and his ultimate deliverance. Verse 7 specifically highlights the pivotal instant of his spiritual awakening and the divine response, serving as the climax of his plea before his subsequent vow of thanksgiving.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Jonah is set during the reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC) in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Prophets like Jonah were God's messengers, often called to confront sin within Israel or, as in this unique case, among a foreign nation, Assyria, Israel's formidable enemy. The concept of "temple" in the ancient Near East, and particularly in Israel, was central to worship and the perceived dwelling place of God. While the physical temple in Jerusalem was the earthly focal point of Israelite worship, the Old Testament also speaks of God's heavenly dwelling, a concept that becomes crucial in understanding Jonah's prayer from the fish's belly. The idea of prayer reaching God's "holy temple" would resonate with the understanding that God is enthroned in heaven, actively hearing the cries of His people from anywhere on earth.
* **Key Themes:** [Jonah 2:7](/jonah/2-7 "Jonah 2:7 - Remembering the LORD in Despair") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jonah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Mercy**, demonstrating that God is not bound by human limitations or geographical locations, and His mercy extends even to a disobedient prophet in dire straits. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Efficacy of Prayer**, showing that a sincere cry from the deepest despair can penetrate the heavens and reach the very throne of God, echoing the psalmist's cry from the depths in [Psalm 130:1-2](/psalms/130-1-2 "Psalm 130:1-2 - Crying from the Depths"). Thirdly, the verse highlights the theme of **Remembrance and Repentance**, as Jonah's act of "remembering the LORD" signifies a turning point from his initial flight and despair to a renewed focus on God, a crucial step towards his spiritual restoration and eventual obedience, as seen in [Jonah 3:1-3](/jonah/3-1-3 "Jonah's Second Call and Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fainted (Hebrew, _ʻâṭaph'_):** From H5848, this primitive root means "to shroud, i.e., clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish." In this context, it vividly conveys Jonah's state of being utterly overwhelmed, feeble, or swooning from distress, indicating a near-death experience where his very vitality was ebbing away. It paints a picture of his soul being completely covered and overcome by despair.
* **remembered (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** From H2142, this root means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention." For Jonah, "remembering the LORD" was not merely a mental recall but an active turning of his heart and mind back to God, acknowledging His covenant relationship, power, and faithfulness, even in his extreme predicament. This act of remembrance signifies a crucial shift from self-focus to God-focus.
* **temple (Hebrew, _hêykâl'_):** From H1964, meaning "a large public building, such as a palace or temple." Coupled with "holy" (H6944, _qôdesh'_), "thine holy temple" refers to God's sacred dwelling. While it could symbolically allude to the earthly temple in Jerusalem, in the context of Jonah's impossible location, it more profoundly points to God's heavenly throne room, emphasizing that God's presence and hearing are not confined to any physical structure but are universally accessible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When my soul fainted within me":** This clause describes Jonah's extreme physical and spiritual debilitation. His "soul" (nephesh), representing his very life-force and inner being, was on the verge of expiring, overwhelmed by the suffocating darkness and pressure of the fish's belly and the depths of the sea. It conveys a state of utter hopelessness and near-death.
* **"I remembered the LORD":** This is the pivotal moment of spiritual awakening. In his deepest despair, Jonah's focus shifts from his dire circumstances to God. "Remembered" implies not just a mental recollection but a turning of his heart and will back to the covenant God, Yahweh (Yᵉhôvâh), acknowledging His sovereignty, power, and mercy. This act of remembrance is the catalyst for his prayer and hope.
* **"and my prayer came in unto thee":** This phrase affirms the immediate and direct efficacy of Jonah's prayer. Despite being physically imprisoned in an unimaginable place, his supplication (tᵉphillâh) was not hindered. It "came in" (bôwʼ), meaning it successfully entered God's presence, indicating that God heard and received his desperate cry.
* **"into thine holy temple":** This final phrase specifies the destination of Jonah's prayer. It signifies that his prayer reached God's sacred dwelling place. Given Jonah's location, this refers not to the earthly temple in Jerusalem but to God's heavenly sanctuary, underscoring God's omnipresence and the truth that true access to God is spiritual and unhindered by physical barriers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. **Hyperbole** is evident in "When my soul fainted within me," vividly exaggerating Jonah's extreme distress and near-death experience to convey the intensity of his suffering. The phrase "into thine holy temple" functions as **Symbolism**, representing God's heavenly throne room and immediate presence, rather than a literal earthly structure. This choice emphasizes God's omnipresence and the direct, spiritual nature of Jonah's access to Him, even from the "belly of Sheol" ([Jonah 2:2](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah's Cry from Sheol")). There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the prophet who fled from God's presence now finds himself in a place of utter isolation, yet his prayer reaches the very heart of God's dwelling, highlighting the inescapable nature of God's reach and the paradox of finding spiritual connection in physical confinement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 2:7 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering accessibility and responsiveness to genuine prayer, regardless of the circumstances or the petitioner's past failures. It underscores the theological truth that God's presence is not confined to physical structures or geographical locations, but He is enthroned in heaven, actively listening to the cries of His people from anywhere. This verse emphasizes that even in the deepest pits of despair, when one's very life force feels extinguished, turning to God in remembrance and prayer is the pathway to divine intervention and restoration. It is a powerful testament to God's mercy, demonstrating that He hears and responds to a repentant heart, even one that has previously rebelled.
* [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - Crying to the LORD in Distress")
* [Psalm 130:1-2](/psalms/130-1-2 "Psalm 130:1-2 - Out of the Depths I Cry to You")
* [Lamentations 3:55-57](/lamentations/3-55-57 "Lamentations 3:55-57 - Calling on God from the Pit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 2:7 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers navigating life's most challenging seasons. It teaches us that even when we feel utterly overwhelmed, when our "soul faints" from the pressures of life, personal failures, or unforeseen calamities, the most crucial step is to "remember the LORD." This remembrance is not passive; it's an active turning of our hearts and minds back to God, recalling His character, His promises, and His past faithfulness. No situation is too dire, no place too remote, and no past sin too great to prevent our sincere prayers from reaching the Almighty. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is always accessible, always listening, and always ready to respond to a repentant and trusting heart. It invites us to cultivate a habit of immediate and heartfelt prayer, knowing that our cries, even from the "belly of the fish," can penetrate the heavens and bring about divine intervention and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel your "soul fainting" or overwhelmed?**
* **What does it mean for you to "remember the LORD" in moments of despair? How can you actively practice this remembrance?**
* **How does Jonah's experience encourage you about the power and accessibility of prayer, regardless of your circumstances?**
* **What specific prayer might you bring to God's "holy temple" today, trusting that He hears?**

### FAQ

**What does "When my soul fainted within me" truly signify?**

Answer: This phrase vividly describes Jonah's state of extreme physical and spiritual collapse. The Hebrew word for "fainted" (`ʻâṭaph`) implies being overwhelmed, covered, or languishing to the point of near-death. It signifies that Jonah's life force, his very being, was ebbing away, and he was at the absolute lowest point of despair, both physically trapped and spiritually broken. It sets the stage for the miraculous turning point that follows.

**To which "holy temple" did Jonah's prayer come, given he was in the fish?**

Answer: While the earthly temple in Jerusalem was the physical center of Israelite worship, Jonah's reference to "thine holy temple" from the belly of the fish points to God's heavenly dwelling. It signifies that his prayer ascended directly to God's throne room in heaven, the true spiritual temple where God resides in ultimate holiness and authority. This emphasizes God's omnipresence and the truth that sincere prayer is not limited by physical location but can reach the divine presence from anywhere on earth, or even from the depths of the sea. This concept is echoed in the New Testament's understanding of Christ as the true temple and our access to God through Him, as seen in [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entry into the Heavenly Sanctuary").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah 2:7, while a powerful testament to God's mercy and the efficacy of prayer in the Old Testament, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jonah's three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish serve as a direct prophetic type of Christ's own death, burial, and resurrection, as Jesus Himself declared in [Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - The Sign of Jonah"). Just as Jonah cried out from the depths of despair and was heard, Christ, in His ultimate act of self-sacrifice, cried out from the depths of human sin and suffering on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) and in the Garden of Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), offering a perfect prayer that secured salvation for humanity. Furthermore, Jonah's prayer reaching God's "holy temple" foreshadows Christ as the true and ultimate Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaking of the Temple of His Body")). Through His atoning work, Jesus has opened a new and living way for all believers to draw near to God's heavenly temple, the very throne of grace, with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Thus, Jonah's experience of being heard from the depths prefigures the access to God that is now fully realized through Christ, who is our High Priest, interceding for us in the true, heavenly sanctuary ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest of Good Things to Come")).

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 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.

2 Chronicles 30:27

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came [up] to his holy dwelling place, [even] unto heaven.

Psalms 143:5

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Psalms 11:4

¶ The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

1 Samuel 30:6

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Psalms 27:13

[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalms 20:7

Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.