Jonah 1:15 kjv

So they look up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

Jonah 1:15 nkjv

So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

Jonah 1:15 niv

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.

Jonah 1:15 esv

So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

Jonah 1:15 nlt

Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!

Jonah 1 verses

Jonah 1 15 Meaning

Jonah 1:15 describes the pivotal moment when the mariners, having exhausted all other options and acknowledging God's hand in the storm, finally cast Jonah into the sea as he instructed. Immediately upon Jonah's descent into the water, the tempestuous sea ceased its violent raging, demonstrating an instantaneous and undeniable divine intervention. This act fulfilled God's initial purpose for Jonah, moving His plan forward, and confirmed His absolute sovereignty over creation and events.

Jonah 1 15 Context

Jonah 1:15 follows a sequence of escalating divine action and human resistance. God had commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah rebelled and fled by ship to Tarshish. God then sent a mighty storm (Jon 1:4), threatening the ship and its pagan crew. The mariners, despite their pagan beliefs, prayed to their own gods (Jon 1:5) and eventually discerned through lots (Jon 1:7) that Jonah was the cause of their calamity. Jonah confessed his God-defying act and identified the God of Heaven who made the sea and land (Jon 1:9). Recognizing that Jonah's God was the source of their plight, Jonah then instructed them to throw him overboard, stating it was the only way to save themselves (Jon 1:12). The mariners initially tried to row back to shore out of reluctance and fear for Jonah's life (Jon 1:13), but their efforts were futile as the storm worsened. Finally, after a desperate prayer to the Lord not to hold them accountable for Jonah's life (Jon 1:14), they submitted to God's apparent will through Jonah's instruction, leading to the dramatic fulfillment in verse 15. The historical-cultural context of the time understood storms and seas as chaotic forces often controlled by various deities; thus, the immediate calming of the sea powerfully affirmed the Israelite God Yahweh as the one true, supreme deity.

Jonah 1 15 Word analysis

• So (wayyiqehu, וַיִּקְחוּ): Connects this action as the immediate consequence of the previous verse's plea and the mariners' ultimate realization. It signals a shift from human struggle to divine resolution.

• they picked up (wayyiqehu - root laqach, לָקַח): To take, grasp, lift. Implies a deliberate, albeit forced, physical action. It wasn't accidental. This verb is also used for 'receiving' or 'taking responsibility', underscoring their acceptance of a difficult task.

• Jonah (yonah, יוֹנָה): The specific person, the disobedient prophet, whose presence had caused the storm. His identity is key to the divine action.

• and threw him (wayyashlichuhu - root shalak, שָׁלַךְ): To cast, hurl, throw down. A decisive and forceful action. It denotes completion of their reluctantly accepted duty. In ancient Near Eastern thought, throwing someone into the sea could be an act of execution or sacrifice to appease a deity, reinforcing the grave nature of their deed.

• into the sea (’el hayyam, אֶל־הַיָּם): The domain of chaos and danger in ancient perception, yet explicitly created and controlled by Yahweh (Jon 1:9). It is the chosen arena for divine intervention. This act symbolically represents Jonah's death and eventual deliverance.

• and the sea stopped (wayya’amod hayyam, וַיַּעֲמֹד הַיָּם): amadh (עָמַד) means "to stand still," "to cease," or "to stand firm." The immediate and complete cessation signifies divine authority and the storm's direct link to God's purpose for Jonah. The direct agency of God is clear, not just a natural subsiding.

• its raging (mizza‘po, מִזַּעְפּוֹ): za‘ap (זָעַף) means "to be enraged," "furious," or "stormy." It emphasizes the intensity and supernatural origin of the storm. The cessation of its "rage" means it was not a normal weather pattern, but a divinely sent manifestation of displeasure that stopped as soon as its cause was removed.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "So they picked up Jonah and threw him": This phrase emphasizes human agency fulfilling divine will. The mariners act, not willingly at first, but compelled by dire circumstances and confirmed divine purpose. Their action, though physically theirs, is precisely what God orchestrated to bring about His plan for Jonah and Nineveh. It highlights the interplay of human will and divine sovereignty.
  • "into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging": This contrast powerfully illustrates the immediate divine response to the mariners' obedience and the removal of the rebellious element (Jonah). The direct causality is emphasized: Jonah in, storm gone. The sea, a force of nature beyond human control, instantly obeys the unseen command of God, underscoring His omnipotence. This provides undeniable proof of God's hand to the mariners, transforming their fear into profound reverence.

Jonah 1 15 Bonus section

The abrupt cessation of the storm points to a unique, targeted divine intervention, distinguishing it from a natural storm. This act prepared the way for Jonah's subsequent miraculous preservation within the great fish, showcasing God's power not only to judge but also to deliver. The mariners' initial reluctance to throw Jonah in, contrasted with the immediate peace when they did, subtly challenges pagan notions of arbitrary gods by showing a rational, responsive, and powerful Deity who acted directly on the cause of the problem. This verse also contains an indirect polemic against storm gods prevalent in ancient cultures (like Baal), firmly establishing Yahweh as the one who truly commands the winds and waves.

Jonah 1 15 Commentary

Jonah 1:15 marks the dramatic turning point in Jonah's flight. It portrays God's unyielding sovereignty, demonstrating that His purposes cannot be thwarted by human disobedience. The immediate calming of the sea serves as irrefutable evidence of Yahweh's singular authority over creation, affirming His control over what was, to the pagan sailors, an uncontrollable force of nature. This instantaneous peace signifies not merely a meteorological event, but a direct divine communication—God's acceptance of Jonah's "sacrifice" and His vindication of His power. For Jonah, it signifies his descent into judgment, leading to miraculous deliverance. For the mariners, it prompts a conversion experience (Jon 1:16), recognizing the God of Israel as supreme. It highlights that God uses even the rebellious actions of His servants, and the desperate actions of others, to achieve His grand redemptive plan.