Jonah 1:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיהוָ֗ה
But the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֗ה
But the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֵטִ֤יל
sent out
H2904
הֵטִ֤יל
sent out
Strong's:
H2904
Word #:
2 of 13
to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out
רֽוּחַ
wind
H7307
רֽוּחַ
wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 13
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
בַּיָּ֑ם
in the sea
H3220
בַּיָּ֑ם
in the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 13
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיָּ֑ם
in the sea
H3220
בַּיָּ֑ם
in the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
10 of 13
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
Cross References
Psalms 135:7He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.Amos 4:13For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.Exodus 15:10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.Exodus 10:19And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.Exodus 14:21And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.Numbers 11:31And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
Historical Context
Ancient Mediterranean seafaring was dangerous. Ships were relatively small wooden vessels vulnerable to storms. Sailors, typically polytheistic, would pray to various gods during storms. The book's irony: pagan sailors show more spiritual sensitivity than God's prophet. They pray, Jonah sleeps (v. 5). This pattern recurs—Gentiles often respond better to God's word than covenant people (Nineveh repents while Jonah rebels). Jesus referenced this (Matthew 12:41).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's control over natural events refute deistic notions of an uninvolved deity?
- What does Jonah's sleep during the storm reveal about spiritual complacency?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"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." This verse demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation. The Hebrew "sent out" (tul) means to hurl or throw—God actively hurls the wind. The "great wind" (ruach gedolah) and "mighty tempest" (sa'ar gadol) emphasize extraordinary intensity. This wasn't random weather but targeted divine intervention. The phrase "the ship was like to be broken" (ha'oniyah chishebah leshebor) means the vessel thought about breaking—Hebrew personification suggesting imminent destruction. This teaches that creation obeys God instantly and completely. Psalm 107:25 states: "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind." Jonah's flight didn't escape God's presence (Psalm 139:7-12)—God pursued him with a storm calculated to stop him and protect the sailors while judging His rebellious prophet.