Jonah 1:5-6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jonah 1:6

So the shipmaster came to him ,.... The master of the vessel, who had the command of it; or the governor of it, as Jarchi; though Josephus F4 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 9. c. 10. sect. 2.) distinguishes between the governor and the shipmaster: "the master of the ropers" F5 רב החבל "magister funalis", Munster; "magister funiculaiorum", so some in;Mercer; "magister funis", Calvin. , as it may be rendered; of the sailors, whose business it was to draw the ropes, to loose or gather... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:6

The shipmaster - Either the captain or the pilot. Arise, call upon thy God - He supposed that Jonah had his god, as well as they had theirs; and that, as the danger was imminent, every man should use the influence he had, as they were all equally involved in it. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 1:6

Verse 6 Jonah relates here how he was reproved by the pilot or master of the ship (18), inasmuch as he alone slept, while all the rest were in anxiety and fear. “What meanest thou, fast sleeper?” The pilot no doubt upbraids Jonah for his sleepiness, and reproves him for being almost void of all thought and reflection. What meanest thou, fast sleeper (19) , he says; when thou sees all the rest smitten with alarm, how canst thou sleep? Is not this unnatural? Rise, then, and call on thy God We... 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

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