Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Jonah son of Amittai prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (2 Kings 14:25), around 780-760 BC. God commanded him to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria—the brutal empire that would later destroy Israel (722 BC). Assyrian kings were notorious for extreme cruelty, boasting in their inscriptions about impalement, flaying, and mass deportations. For an Israelite prophet, preaching salvation to Assyria was like asking a Holocaust survivor to evangelize Nazi Germany. Jonah's flight to Tarshish (opposite direction) reveals both ethnic prejudice and theological confusion about God's mercy extending to pagan nations. When Nineveh repented and God relented, Jonah became angry, preferring their destruction. The book concludes with God's gentle rebuke, revealing His compassion for all people.
The book of Jonah stands as a rebuke to narrow nationalism and an anticipation of the gospel's universal scope. Jesus referenced Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of His death and resurrection, while condemning His generation for not repenting like Nineveh did (Matthew 12:39-41). The early church struggled with the same prejudice Jonah displayed when Gentiles began believing in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jonah 2:9 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
- What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
- How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jonah's prayer climaxes with commitment and theological declaration: "But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." The Hebrew va'ani beqol todah ezbeach-lak asher nadarti ashallema yeshu'atah laYHWH (וַאֲנִי בְּקוֹל תּוֹדָה אֶזְבְּחָה־לָּךְ אֲשֶׁר נָדַרְתִּי אֲשַׁלֵּמָה יְשׁוּעָתָה לַיהוָה) contains one of Scripture's clearest affirmations of God's sovereignty in salvation.
"I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving" (beqol todah ezbeach-lak) promises worship once delivered. The "voice of thanksgiving" (qol todah) suggests vocal praise accompanying sacrificial offerings—both word and deed honoring God. "I will pay that that I have vowed" (asher nadarti ashallema) indicates Jonah had made vows (likely in desperation while drowning), and now commits to fulfill them. The verb shalam (שָׁלַם) means to complete, fulfill, or make whole—keeping promises to God.
The final declaration, "Salvation is of the LORD" (yeshu'atah laYHWH, יְשׁוּעָתָה לַיהוָה), is the theological foundation of the entire book. The noun yeshu'ah (יְשׁוּעָה) means salvation, deliverance, or rescue. The prepositional phrase laYHWH (to/of Yahweh) attributes salvation entirely to God. Jonah recognizes he didn't save himself—God did. This principle applies physically (rescue from drowning), spiritually (redemption from sin), and eschatologically (eternal salvation).
This verse anticipates New Testament soteriology. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Just as Jonah contributed nothing to his physical rescue, so sinners contribute nothing to spiritual salvation. All is God's work, God's gift, God's glory.