Jonah 2:1

Authorized King James Version

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
prayed
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
#2
יוֹנָ֔ה
Then Jonah
jonah, an israelite
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אֱלֹהָ֑יו
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
#6
מִמְּעֵ֖י
belly
used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru
#7
הַדָּגָֽה׃
out of the fish's
fish

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Jonah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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