Jonah 1:5

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ
H3372
were afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#2
הַמַּלָּחִ֗ים
H4419
Then the mariners
a sailor (as following 'the salt')
#3
וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֮
H2199
and cried
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
#4
אִ֣ישׁ
H376
every man
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)
#5
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
אֱלֹהָיו֒
H430
unto his god
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
#7
וַיָּטִ֨לוּ
H2904
and cast forth
to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out
#8
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הַכֵּלִ֜ים
H3627
the wares
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#10
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
בָּֽאֳנִיָּה֙
H591
that were in the ship
a ship
#12
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
הַיָּ֔ם
H3220
into the sea
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
#14
לְהָקֵ֖ל
H7043
to lighten
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#15
מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
וְיוֹנָ֗ה
H3124
it of them But Jonah
jonah, an israelite
#17
יָרַד֙
H3381
was gone down
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
#18
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
יַרְכְּתֵ֣י
H3411
into the sides
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
#20
הַסְּפִינָ֔ה
H5600
of the ship
a (sea-going) vessel (as ceiled with a deck)
#21
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב
H7901
and he lay
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#22
וַיֵּרָדַֽם׃
H7290
and was fast asleep
to stun, i.e., stupefy (with sleep or death)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jonah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Jonah's theological argument.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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