Jonah 1:14

Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

Wherefore they cried {H7121} unto the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, We beseech thee {H577}, O LORD {H3068}, we beseech thee, let us not perish {H6} for this man's {H376} life {H5315}, and lay {H5414} not upon us innocent {H5355}{H5355} blood {H1818}: for thou, O LORD {H3068}, hast done {H6213} as it pleased {H2654} thee.

Finally they cried to ADONAI, "Please, ADONAI, please! Don't let us perish for causing the death of this man, and don't hold us to account for shedding innocent blood; because you, ADONAI, have done what you saw fit."

So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.”

Wherefore they cried unto Jehovah, and said, We beseech thee, O Jehovah, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Jehovah, hast done as it pleased thee.

Commentary

Jonah 1:14 captures the desperate plea of the mariners as they face a raging storm, a direct consequence of Jonah's disobedience. Having confirmed through lots and Jonah's confession that he is the cause of their peril, they are now reluctantly preparing to cast him into the sea as he requested. Their prayer reveals a profound fear of God and a moral aversion to taking a life.

Context

The book of Jonah opens with the prophet Jonah being called by the LORD to preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh. Instead, he fled in the opposite direction, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). God then sent a great storm, threatening to break the ship apart. While the pagan sailors desperately cried out to their own gods and lightened the ship, Jonah was found asleep. After discovering Jonah's identity and his flight from the LORD, and upon his own admission and instruction (Jonah 1:12), the mariners were faced with an impossible choice: let the ship and all aboard perish, or throw Jonah overboard. This verse records their agonizing prayer before taking that drastic action.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The mariners acknowledge God's ultimate control over all things, stating, "for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee." They recognize that the storm and their predicament are not random chance but are under the sovereign hand of Jonah's God. This resonates with other biblical passages affirming God's control over nature, such as Psalm 107:29.
  • Moral Conscience and Fear of God: Despite being pagan, the mariners exhibit a strong moral compass. They do not want to be guilty of shedding "innocent blood," even under duress. Their plea, "let us not perish for this man's life," indicates their fear that God might punish them for taking Jonah's life, even if it saves their own. This shows their growing awareness and reverence for the powerful God of Israel, whom Jonah serves.
  • Prayer in Desperation: Faced with certain death, the mariners turn to the LORD, the God of Jonah, whom they now understand to be the true, powerful deity. Their repeated cry, "We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee," highlights their deep distress and earnest supplication for mercy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "cried unto the LORD" uses the verb qara' (קָרָא), which means "to call out, proclaim, summon." It signifies a desperate, earnest appeal. The use of "LORD" (יהוה - Yahweh) indicates they are specifically addressing the God of Israel, not their own pagan deities, acknowledging His supremacy in this crisis. Their concern about "innocent blood" (דָּם נָקִי - dam naqi) reflects a universal moral principle, often found in Old Testament law concerning justice and the sanctity of life (e.g., Deuteronomy 19:10).

Practical Application

This verse offers several practical lessons for believers and non-believers alike. It demonstrates that even those outside of covenant relationship with God can recognize His power and sovereignty in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It underscores the importance of prayer, even when one feels trapped or desperate. Furthermore, it reminds us of God's active involvement in the world, guiding events according to His will, even using challenging situations to reveal His power and prompt a response from people. We are called to recognize God's hand in our lives and to seek His mercy and guidance, especially in times of crisis.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 115:3 (9 votes)

    But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

  • Psalms 135:6 (6 votes)

    Whatsoever the LORD pleased, [that] did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

  • Deuteronomy 21:8 (5 votes)

    Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

  • Psalms 107:28 (4 votes)

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

  • Ephesians 1:11 (4 votes)

    In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

  • Daniel 4:34 (3 votes)

    ¶ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

  • Daniel 4:35 (3 votes)

    And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?