Jonah 2:6

Authorized King James Version

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לְקִצְבֵ֤י
to the bottoms
shape (as if cut out); base (as if there cut off)
#2
הָרִים֙
of the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#3
יָרַ֔דְתִּי
I went 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
#4
הָאָ֛רֶץ
the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#5
בְּרִחֶ֥יהָ
with her bars
a bolt
#6
בַעֲדִ֖י
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#7
לְעוֹלָ֑ם
was about me for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#8
וַתַּ֧עַל
yet hast thou brought up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#9
מִשַּׁ֛חַת
from corruption
a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction
#10
חַיַּ֖י
my life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#11
יְהוָ֥ה
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
אֱלֹהָֽי׃
my 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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jonah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Jonah.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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