Jonah 1:8
Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
Original Language Analysis
הַגִּידָה
they unto him Tell
H5046
הַגִּידָה
they unto him Tell
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
נָּ֣א
H4994
נָּ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 20
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְמִי
H4310
לְמִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
7 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הָרָעָ֥ה
us we pray thee for whose cause this evil
H7451
הָרָעָ֥ה
us we pray thee for whose cause this evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
8 of 20
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
מְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙
is upon us What is thine occupation
H4399
מְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙
is upon us What is thine occupation
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
וּמֵאַ֣יִן
and whence
H370
וּמֵאַ֣יִן
and whence
Strong's:
H370
Word #:
13 of 20
where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אַרְצֶ֔ךָ
thou what is thy country
H776
אַרְצֶ֔ךָ
thou what is thy country
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִזֶּ֥ה
H2088
Cross References
Genesis 47:3And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.1 Samuel 30:13And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.Joshua 7:19And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.James 5:16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.1 Samuel 14:43Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
Historical Context
Jonah identifies as Hebrew ('Ibri), the ethnic term used when speaking to foreigners. His confession that Yahweh created sea and land directly challenges pagan polytheism—if one God made everything, other gods are false. The sailors' terrified response (v. 10) shows they understand implications: this universal Creator-God is pursuing His prophet, and they're caught in the middle. The scene demonstrates effective witness requires consistency between profession and practice.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes claim to fear God while actively disobeying Him?
- What does it mean that orthodox theology without obedience condemns rather than saves?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The sailors interrogate Jonah: "Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?" They ask five questions seeking to understand this mysterious passenger who caused their crisis. Their approach is reasonable and measured—not violent but inquisitive. Verse 9's response is crucial: "And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land." Jonah's confession is theologically sound: he worships Yahweh, Creator of sea and land. The irony: his theology is orthodox, his behavior completely contradicts it. He claims to "fear" (yare') the LORD yet flees His command. This exposes the danger of correct doctrine with disobedient heart—orthodox theology doesn't save apart from genuine submission.