Jonah 1:16
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽירְא֧וּ
feared
H3372
וַיִּֽירְא֧וּ
feared
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
1 of 11
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים
H376
הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 11
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
exceedingly
H1419
גְדוֹלָ֖ה
exceedingly
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
4 of 11
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּֽזְבְּחוּ
and offered
H2076
וַיִּֽזְבְּחוּ
and offered
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
7 of 11
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
זֶ֙בַח֙
a sacrifice
H2077
זֶ֙בַח֙
a sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 107:22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.Psalms 50:14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:Genesis 8:20And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.Isaiah 26:9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.Acts 5:11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.Psalms 116:14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.Mark 4:31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:Ecclesiastes 5:4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.Jonah 1:10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.2 Kings 5:17And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
Historical Context
This conversion scene anticipates the Great Commission and Gentile mission throughout Acts. The sailors' journey from polytheism (1:5—"every man unto his god") to exclusive worship of Yahweh (1:16) models the pattern of Gentile conversion: crisis reveals impotence of false gods, true God demonstrates power and mercy, response includes repentance, faith, sacrifice, and covenant commitment. Paul's missionary preaching follows this template (Acts 14:15-17, 17:22-31, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
Questions for Reflection
- How do the sailors' conversion and commitment challenge nominal Christianity that lacks sacrificial devotion?
- What does this passage teach about God's concern for all peoples, not just ethnic Israel?
- Why might God sometimes use disasters to reveal Himself and draw people to salvation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. The sailors' response to the miracle constitutes genuine conversion. "The men feared the LORD exceedingly" (vayir'u ha'anashim yir'ah gedolah et-YHWH, וַיִּירְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים יִרְאָה גְדוֹלָה אֶת־יְהוָה) uses the same intensive construction as verse 10 ("feared a great fear"). But whereas verse 10 describes terror at Jonah's rebellion, this verse describes reverential awe and worship of Yahweh Himself. The object shifted from fearing consequences to fearing God—this is saving faith.
"And offered a sacrifice unto the LORD" (vayizbechu zebach laYHWH, וַיִּזְבְּחוּ זֶבַח לַיהוָה) indicates they performed sacrificial worship, likely slaughtering animals on board and dedicating them to Yahweh. This demonstrates covenant commitment—sacrifice in Israel's religion signified dedication, atonement, and fellowship with God. These Gentiles, witnessing God's power and mercy, responded with whole-hearted devotion.
"And made vows" (vayideru nedarim, וַיִּדְּרוּ נְדָרִים) uses nadar (נָדַר), meaning to vow or make solemn promises to God. Vows involved pledges to God requiring future fulfillment (Genesis 28:20-22, Judges 11:30, 1 Samuel 1:11). These sailors committed themselves to ongoing worship of Yahweh, not merely momentary crisis religion. This stands as one of Scripture's clearest Old Testament examples of Gentile conversion, anticipating the gospel going to all nations.
The irony remains devastating: pagan sailors converted while God's prophet remained rebellious. Chapter 4 reveals Jonah angry about Nineveh's repentance, wishing them destroyed. These mariners demonstrate what Jonah refused—genuine fear of the Lord, sacrificial worship, and covenant commitment. Jesus referenced this pattern repeatedly: Gentiles often respond better to revelation than covenant people (Matthew 8:10-12, 12:41-42).