Jonah 1:10-11

10. The words of Jonah recorded in Jonah 1:9 would be sufficient to create fear and restlessness; but if the closing words of Jonah 1:10 are original, Jonah made known his attempt to flee from this God of heaven and earth. No wonder they were “sore afraid”; for the attempt to escape from the supreme God is the climax of crime and the height of folly.

Why hast thou done this? R.V., “What is this that thou hast done?” Not a question of inquiry, but an exclamation of astonishment and indignation at his crime and folly.

The men knew that he fled While the presence of Jonah in the boat and the storm viewed in the light of the confession in Jonah 1:9 might have been sufficient to lead the sailors to suppose that they had before them a fugitive from the presence of Jehovah, there seems insufficient reason for questioning the originality of the closing words of Jonah 1:10, which state that the prophet informed the men of his attempt. 11.

What shall we do Though terror struck, the sailors are ready to deal with Jonah, who alone was responsible for their plight, in all fairness. Something must be done, but they are willing to receive any suggestion as to the proper course to pursue.

Unto us Literally, from upon us, that is, so that it may cease from rushing upon us like an enemy (Jonah 1:5).

The sea wrought, and was tempestuous R.V., “the sea grew more and more tempestuous”; literally, was ( is) going on and was ( is) being tempestuous. A peculiar Hebrew idiom, which is rightly reproduced in R.V. (compare Genesis 8:3; 1 Samuel 2:26; 2 Samuel 3:1). The words may be interpreted as the utterance of the sailors, giving the reason for their anxious appeal to him; it is high time that something should be done, since the raging of the sea is constantly increasing.