Jonah 1:13-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:11-17

The offender sacrificed "Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous," etc. A new stage of spiritual progress has been reached—yet the sea not calm. There had been prayer—but no calm followed; now there is frank confession of sin, and doubtless repentance, and acknowledgment of God even by the men, but the sea still wrought, and was tempestuous. Was it "no use" to pray and repent? No; but God's plan was a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:13

The generous sailors, however, are loth to execute this sentence on a prophet of the Lord, and make a supreme effort to reach the land, and thus obviate this severe alternative. Rowed hard; literally, digged ( Job 24:16 ; Ezekiel 12:7 ); Septuagint, παρεβιάζοντο , "used violent efforts." They endeavoured to force their way through the waves with oars, as the use of sails was impracticable. The expression is like the classical phrases, infindere sulcos, scindere freta, arare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:13-14

Effort and prayer. It has always been acknowledged that there was in the conduct of these heathen sailors something peculiarly generous. Although they believed themselves to have been brought into danger by the companionship of Jonah, although he himself invited them to cast him overboard and so secure their safety, this they would not do until they had exhausted every means of deliverance. I. IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY AND DANGER WE ARE SUMMONED TO EXERT ALL OUR ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:13-16

Storm stilling extraordinary. We see in this passage, under favourable circumstances, the workings of the heathen mind in its first glimpses of God. And the study is one of lively interest, and important withal. The sailors have, innocently and involuntarily, been made actors in a drama that is not unlike to turn out a tragedy. A stranger, pursued by the vengeance of his (to them) unknown God, has got on board their ship, and mixed them up in his troubles to the extent of bringing them to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:14

They cried unto the Lord. They prayed no longer to their gods, as before ( Jonah 1:5 ), but unto Jehovah, the God of Jonah. Let us not perish for this man's life. Let us not incur death for taking this man's life. They seem to know something of the Noachic law that punished murder ( Genesis 9:5 , Genesis 9:6 ). Lay not upon us innocent blood. Charge us not with the guilt of shedding innocent blood ( Deuteronomy 21:8 ). For thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee ( 1 Samuel... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jonah 1:13

The men rowed hard - , literally “dug.” The word, like our “plowed the main,” describes the great efforts which they made. Amid the violence of the storm, they had furled their sails. These were worse than useless. The wind was off shore, since by rowing alpine they hoped to get back to it. They put their oars well and firmly in the sea, and turned up the water, as men turn up earth by digging. But in vain! God willed it not. The sea went on its way, as before. In the description of the deluge,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jonah 1:14

Wherefore (And) they cried unto the Lord - “They cried” no more “each man to his god,” but to the one God, whom Jonah had made known to them; and to Him they cried with an earnest submissive, cry, repeating the words of beseeching, as men, do in great earnestness; “we beseech Thee, O Lord, let us not, we beseech Thee, perish for the life of this man” (i. e., as a penalty for taking it, as it is said, 2 Samuel 14:7. “we will slay him for the life of his brother,” and, Deuteronomy 19:21. “life... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jonah 1:13-14

Jonah 1:13-14. Nevertheless, the men rowed hard, &c. Whoever these mariners were, they are to be admired for their generosity; for though Jonah had told them that he was the cause of the tempest, and had advised them to cast him into the sea, yet they were very unwilling to do it, and generously redoubled their efforts, strained every nerve, and exposed themselves unto still greater danger of sinking, for some time longer, in order, if possible, to gain the shore without throwing him... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jonah 1:1-17

1:1-17 JONAH’S DISOBEDIENCE AND ITS RESULTSWhen God commanded Jonah to go and warn the sinful people of Nineveh of coming judgment, Jonah not only refused but fled in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship and headed for the distant Mediterranean port of Tarshish, somewhere in the region of Spain (1:1-3). But God determined to bring Jonah back. His first action was to send a fierce storm that threatened to sink the ship. The seamen, who were not Hebrews, prayed to their gods to save them,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jonah 1:13

rowed hard. The tackling had gone. See note on "wares", Jonah 1:5 . bring it = bring it back. read more

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