Jonah 1:4-5

Jonah’s punishment, Jonah 1:4-16.

4, 5. Great wind… mighty tempest Two synonymous expressions. The statement is repeated to indicate the fierceness of the tempest.

Jehovah sent out Literally, hurled (Jonah 1:5; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 1:15). The verb is used of the casting of the spear (1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 20:33). The tempest was the weapon of the divine wrath (see on Amos 3:6; also concluding remarks on Amos 4:6-11).

Was like to be broken Literally, was thought to be broken. Its destruction was almost in sight. G.A. Smith, “threatened to break up.” A storm of this character would strike terror everywhere. The sailors sought relief (1) by appealing to their gods, and (2) by casting overboard everything that could be spared.

Every man unto his god There were probably few Jewish sailors or passengers. The crew was made up, undoubtedly, very largely of Phoenicians, and may have included representatives of other nations, who were worshipers of different deities; besides, the ship may have carried passengers from various cities and peoples. However reckless at other times, the danger drove them to their knees. Compare Shakespeare ( The Tempest, 1: 1), “All lost! to prayers, to prayers! all lost!’

Wares Whether this means the furniture (Acts 27:19), or the cargo (Acts 27:38), or both, is not known; nor is the nature of the cargo indicated. Some have supposed that it was a corn ship, as in the case of Paul.

To lighten it of them Better, R.V., “to lighten it unto them”; literally, from upon them. Not, to lighten the ship, but their distress; to remove it as if it were a burden (Exodus 18:22).

Meanwhile Jonah seems to be unaware of the danger.

Was gone down Perhaps before the storm broke out, so that he was unconscious of it.

Into the sides R.V., “innermost parts” (as in Amos 6:10); here perhaps the lowest part of the ship.

Fast asleep Some have explained this as a sign of a troubled conscience that Jonah had thrown himself down to forget, and thus to escape the danger and the hand of God; or, that, utterly exhausted by the mental struggle and the realization of the danger, he had fallen asleep: “Troubled with the gnawings of conscience and overpowered with mourning, he had sought comfort in sleep and fallen into a deep sleep.” On the other hand, Jerome regards it as an indication of a calm mind; the others, who know not Jehovah, are seriously troubled, but the prophet feels so secure even in the midst of the storm that he calmly sleeps on. That the sleep is an indication of calmness of mind is probably true; but the feeling of security was due not to confidence in Jehovah, but rather to the belief that he had succeeded in escaping “the presence of Jehovah.” The sleep of Jonah has been frequently compared with that of Jesus in a severe storm (Mark 4:35-41); but what a difference in the frame of mind that made possible the sleep! Jesus was calm in the assurance that God’s protecting care was over him; Jonah, because he thought he was outside the reach of Jehovah.