Jonah 1:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jonah 1:4-10

When Jonah was set on ship-board, and under sail for Tarshish, he thought himself safe enough; but here we find him pursued and overtaken, discovered and convicted as a deserter from God, as one that had run his colours. I. God sends a pursuer after him, a mighty tempest in the sea, Jonah 1:4. God has the winds in his treasure (Ps. 135:7), and out of these treasures God sent forth, he cast forth (so the word is), with force and violence, a great wind into the sea; even stormy winds fulfil his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jonah 1:5

Then the mariners were afraid ,.... Perceiving that the storm was not an ordinary, but a supernatural one; and that the ship and all in it were in extreme danger, and no probability of being saved. This shows that the storm must be very violent, to frighten such men who were used to the sea, and to storms, and were naturally bold and intrepid. The word used signifies "salters", so called from the salt sea they used, as they are by us "mariners", from "mare", the "sea"; though R. Japhet in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:5

Cried every man unto his god - The ship's crew were all heathens; and, it is probable, heathens who had each a different object of religious worship. Cast forth the wares - Threw the lading overboard to lighten the ship, hoping the better to ride out the storm. Jonah was gone down - Most probably into the hold or cabin under the deck; or where they had berths for passengers in the sides of the ship, something in the manner of our packets. Was fast asleep - Probably quite... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:5

Verse 5 This narrative, in which Jonah relates in order so many circumstances, is not without its use; for, as we shall presently see, he intended to set forth his own insensibility, and to lay it before us as painted before our eyes: and the comparison, which is implied in the circumstances, greatly illustrates the supine and almost brutal security of Jonah. He says first that the mariners (15) were afraid, and then, that each cried, that is, to his god and that they cast out into the sea the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:1-17

Part I. THE MISSION OF JONAH . HIS DISOBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:4-6

The fugitive arrested. "But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken," etc. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker!" God is never at a loss for means of conquering opposition and bringing erring men to their senses—he arrests Balaam by means of a sword, David through a parable, Peter by a look, the Philippian jailor by an earthquake, Jonah by a storm. All nature is at his command. "The whole world... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:4-6

Jonah reproved. I. A TEMPESTUOUS PROVIDENCE REPROVED HIM . Jonah, aroused, creeps on deck. What a scene met him! The sea in horrible tumult. The fury of the wind. The ship "… up and down From the base of the wave to the billow's crown!" The bronzed sailors wondering what would be the end! The storm is reproving him. No miraculous wind, perhaps. Still, God's servant with strong reproof: "Guilty Jonah, awake! arise! return! To thy God; to thy work! Duty may be left; it can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:4-6

The Divine interposition. When man forsakes God, he who is infinite in mercy does not forsake man. No sooner had Adam fallen than Divine love planned a scheme of redemption. Through all the ages the voice of God has been summoning men to repentance; and in the fulness of time his only begotten Son came to seek and to save that which was lost. He deals as lovingly with individuals as with the race. Jonah was an example of this. Had a favourable voyage taken him to his destination, or had a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:4-10

2. Jonah ' s foolish flight is arrested. In the midst of his fancied security God sends a great storm, and the ship is placed in imminent jeopardy. The crew try all means to save the ship, and at length cast lots to discover by this means for whose sake the tempest has been sent. The lot points out Jonah as the guilty person. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 1:4-10

An effective hue and cry. We see here a man who ought to run for God endeavouring to run away from him, and also how he speeds. The flight was illogical, a fatuous attempt to get outside the sphere of omnipresence, as much of our sin is a practical endeavour to get, or imagine ourselves, beyond the cognizance of omniscience. And it was made in the blindness of egoism and carnal self will—the qualities which are generally to be found at the bottom of ministerial unfaithfulness to the... read more

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