Jonah 1:5
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ
were afraid
H3372
וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ
were afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
1 of 22
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֮
and cried
H2199
וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֮
and cried
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
3 of 22
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 22
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)
אֱלֹהָיו֒
unto his god
H430
אֱלֹהָיו֒
unto his god
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיָּטִ֨לוּ
and cast forth
H2904
וַיָּטִ֨לוּ
and cast forth
Strong's:
H2904
Word #:
7 of 22
to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֵּלִ֜ים
the wares
H3627
הַכֵּלִ֜ים
the wares
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
9 of 22
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיָּ֔ם
into the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֔ם
into the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
13 of 22
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
לְהָקֵ֖ל
to lighten
H7043
לְהָקֵ֖ל
to lighten
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
14 of 22
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָרַד֙
was gone down
H3381
יָרַד֙
was gone down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
17 of 22
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י
into the sides
H3411
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י
into the sides
Strong's:
H3411
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
הַסְּפִינָ֔ה
of the ship
H5600
הַסְּפִינָ֔ה
of the ship
Strong's:
H5600
Word #:
20 of 22
a (sea-going) vessel (as ceiled with a deck)
Cross References
1 Kings 18:26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.Isaiah 45:20Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.Jeremiah 2:28But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.1 Samuel 24:3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.Judges 16:19And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
Historical Context
The sailors' polytheism was typical for ancient Mediterranean culture. Each god had jurisdiction over specific domains—sea gods, storm gods, etc. They'd pray to all relevant deities. Jonah's monotheism should have made him more devout, not less. Yet he's spiritually comatose while they're spiritually engaged. This irony drives home the book's message: ethnicity and covenant privilege don't automatically produce faithful hearts.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do unbelievers sometimes display greater spiritual sensitivity than professing Christians?
- How does spiritual complacency manifest in physical indifference to crisis?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them." The sailors' response shows genuine piety—they pray to their gods and take practical action (throwing cargo overboard). "But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep." The contrast is devastating: pagans pray earnestly while God's prophet sleeps soundly. The Hebrew phrase "fast asleep" (radam) means deep, death-like sleep. Jonah isn't accidentally napping but deliberately checking out—physical manifestation of spiritual rebellion. This teaches that religious privilege doesn't guarantee spiritual sensitivity. Covenant members can be more spiritually dead than pagans (Romans 2:17-29). Christ warned about this repeatedly (Matthew 23).