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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:6

The shipmaster; literally, the chief of the ropemen ; Vulgate, gubernator ; Septuagint, ὁ πρωρεύς , "the look out man." The captain. What meanest thou, O sleeper? How canst thou sleep so soundly when our danger is so imminent? If thou canst help us in no other way, at least ask the aid of Heaven. It was the duty of a prophet of the Lord to take the lead in prayer; but here the prophet's stupor is rebuked by the heathen's faith. Call upon thy God. The sailors' prayers had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:6

Danger and devotion. The conduct of the seamen, who themselves, when encompassed 'by danger and when threatened by death, both called upon their gods and besought Jonah to imitate their prayers and vows, may have been superstitious in its accessories, but it was certainly right in principle. I. DANGER REMINDS US OF OUR OWN POWERLESSNESS . In the presence of the great forces of nature—the hurricane, the earthquake, the volcano—man feels his own physical feebleness and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:6

A rousing voice to moral sleepers. "What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not." The incident referred to in the text is this—Jonah was sent to Nineveh on a mission of mercy, sent to warn the corrupt population of their impending doom, and to call them to immediate repentance. The Divine message was not to the prophet's mind; he was displeased, and instead of going direct to Nineveh, he went down to Joppa, and found a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:7

Finding the storm still violent, the crew come to the conclusion that it is sent by Heaven in punishment of some crime committed by one on board; and they proceed to cast lots to discover the guilty person. Jonah doubtless had meantime complied with the captain's request, but, as the sailors saw, without visible effect. The belief that temporal calamities are often connected with the presence of culprits, and are sent in judgment, is found in classical authors. Thus Plautus, 'Rudena,' 2:21— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:7-10

The fugitive convicted. "And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah," etc. The prayers of the mariners, and Jonah's prayer, if indeed he tried to pray (although that is hardly likely; see Jonah 4:2 , "Then Jonah prayed"), led to no abatement of the storm. God's purpose was not to be accomplished in that way—Jonah was not to be restored in so easy a manner. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:7-10

Jonah detected. I. JONAH DETECTED BY THE LOT . Heathens cast that lot; still the disposal of it was of the Lord. He guided the fateful token, and so it fell to Jonah. Now that the Divine Spirit is given to those that seek him, we are released from dependence upon the indications of the lot. But still by things as little seeming as lot casting, backsliders are discovered to themselves if not to others. A cock crow detected the recreant Peter. And now by some memorial of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:8

The mariners having, as they supposed, discovered the culprit, proceed calmly to investigate his guilt; amid the roaring of the tempest and the peril that surrounded them, they give him every opportunity of clearing himself or confessing his crime. For whose cause . Some manuscripts of the Hebrew and the Greek omit this clause as unnecessary; but, as Keil remarks, it is not superfluous, the sailors thereby wishing to induce Jonah to confess his guilt with his own mouth. In their excitement... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:9

I am an Hebrew. This is the name used by foreigners in speaking of Israelites, or by Israelites in speaking of themselves to Gentiles (see Genesis 14:13 ; Genesis 39:14 ; Genesis 41:12 ; Exodus 1:16 ; 1 Samuel 4:6 , for the former use; and for the latter, Genesis 40:15 ; Exodus 2:7 ; Exodus 3:18 ). Convinced that God had miraculously pointed him out as the culprit on whose account the storm was sent, and goaded by the stings of conscience, Jonah loses all his previous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:9

A good confession. What an insight this story gives us into the life and habits of travellers in ancient times! Curiosity is always entertaining; but the inquisitiveness of these seamen bound for Tarshish, as they questioned their passenger regarding his occupation, his race, and his religion, is a revelation of their character, and affords an opportunity to the prophet to avow his religious faith. Jonah was not willing to obey God; yet he was not slow to confess God. There is much to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:10

Exceedingly afraid. They understand now the greatness of Jehovah and the terrible risk incurred by one who offends him. There was a widespread acknowledgment of the power of Jehovah among the heathen (see Exodus 15:15 ; Joshua 5:1 ; 1 Samuel 4:7 ; and comp. Judith 5:21). Why hast thou done this? better, What is this that thou hast done? ( Genesis 3:13 ). This is not a question of inquiry, for he had already told them that he had fled from the presence of the Lord; but rather an... read more

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