Jonah 2 9

Jonah 2:9 kjv

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

Jonah 2:9 nkjv

But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

Jonah 2:9 niv

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the LORD.'?"

Jonah 2:9 esv

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"

Jonah 2:9 nlt

But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,
and I will fulfill all my vows.
For my salvation comes from the LORD alone."

Jonah 2 verses

Jonah 2 9 meaning

Jonah 2:9 proclaims Jonah's resolute intention to offer thanks and fulfill his vows to the Lord, culminating in the profound declaration that salvation belongs exclusively to the Lord. It signifies a profound shift from despair to faith, a realization of God's sovereign power to save even from the most dire circumstances, and a commitment to worship and obedience borne out of gratitude.

Jonah 2 9 Context

Jonah 2:9 is the concluding declaration of Jonah's prayer of thanksgiving from inside the belly of the great fish. The entire chapter 2 details this prayer, following Jonah's rebellious flight from God's command and subsequent divine discipline through a tempest and the fish. Having been thrown overboard by the pagan sailors (who, ironically, show more reverence for God than Jonah initially does) and swallowed by the fish, Jonah is at the absolute depths of despair, physically and spiritually. His prayer begins with a cry for help from "Sheol" (v. 2), recounts his profound distress and feeling abandoned (v. 3-6), but then shifts to remembrance of God and hope (v. 7-8). Verse 9 marks the climax of this shift, a profound moment of spiritual transformation where Jonah rededicates himself to God and acknowledges His exclusive power to save. This reorientation sets the stage for God's command to the fish in the next verse to vomit Jonah onto dry land. Historically, the setting in a "great fish" represents an extraordinary act of divine intervention, showcasing God's sovereignty over creation to achieve His purposes.

Jonah 2 9 Word analysis

• But I (וַאֲנִ֤י - wa'ăni)

  • This opening "But I" powerfully contrasts Jonah with the idol-worshippers mentioned in the preceding verse (Jonah 2:8). It signals a turning point in Jonah's heart and declaration, moving from acknowledging others' error to asserting his personal commitment and distinct path. It implies a personal decision to turn back to God despite his previous disobedience.

• with the voice of thanksgiving (בְּק֣וֹל תּוֹדָ֗ה - bəqōl tōḏâ)

  • Qōl (קוֹל) means "voice" or "sound," indicating an audible expression.
  • Tōḏâ (תּוֹדָה) is specifically "thanksgiving" or "praise." It goes beyond mere gratitude to include an offering or sacrifice of praise (Ps 50:14). This suggests a willing, public acknowledgment of God's goodness, a verbal sacrifice as profound as an animal sacrifice in its spiritual significance. It's a spontaneous offering from the heart, rather than ritual obligation, offered before his physical deliverance.

• will sacrifice unto thee (אֲזַבֵּ֔חָה לָּךְ - ăzabbēaḥ lāk̄)

  • ʼăzabbēaḥ (אֲזַבֵּחָה) comes from the root zāḇaḥ (זָבַח), "to sacrifice." The cohortative (first-person singular, with a future sense and strong resolve) denotes a firm intention and determination. Though physically impossible for Jonah to offer animal sacrifice in the fish's belly, it symbolizes a profound spiritual offering, a re-consecration of himself to God. He commits to future, tangible acts of worship upon his deliverance.

• I will pay (אֲשַׁלֵּ֥ם - ăšallēm)

  • From the root šālam (שָׁלַם), meaning "to complete, fulfill, pay, restore." The cohortative form indicates Jonah's determined intent. It means "to make complete" or "to perform." This word highlights the moral and religious obligation to fulfill promises made to God.

• that I have vowed (אֲשֶׁר־ נָדָ֑רְתִּי - ʾăšer-nāḏārti)

  • Nāḏar (נָדַר) means "to vow" or "to promise solemnly." This refers to specific promises or commitments made to God, likely during his deep distress and fear of death (cf. Ps 66:13-14). Jonah acknowledges these prior promises and commits to their performance. It implies that in his extremity, he made covenants with God for deliverance, and now he intends to honor them.

• Salvation is of the LORD (יְשׁוּעָ֖תָה לַיהוָֽה - yəšūʿāṯâ layhwâ)

  • Yəšūʿā (יְשׁוּעָה) means "salvation," "deliverance," or "victory." It's a broad term encompassing physical rescue, spiritual redemption, and ultimate deliverance. It comes from the root yāšaʿ (יָשַׁע), "to save, deliver."
  • LaYHWH (לַיהוָה) "to the LORD" or "of the LORD." The prefix la- (לְ) can mean "to," "for," "belonging to," or indicate agency. Here it profoundly declares that salvation originates from, belongs to, and is enacted solely by YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. This is the central theological climax of the verse and of Jonah's prayer. It’s an affirmation of monotheism and God’s exclusive power, a direct polemic against any pagan notion of fragmented deities or man-made salvation.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice unto thee": This phrase dramatically contrasts Jonah's renewed devotion with the futility of idol worship. It declares his spiritual "sacrifice" (praise, gratitude, changed heart) as his primary act of worship even in his physically incapacitated state. It preemptively fulfills a vow of praise, recognizing that true sacrifice begins with the heart.
• "I will pay that I have vowed": This group emphasizes personal responsibility and commitment. Jonah recognizes his prior pledges made in distress and pledges their fulfillment. It shows a re-establishment of his covenant relationship with God, promising acts of obedience following his deliverance.
• "Salvation is of the LORD": This powerful concluding statement is a universal theological truth that transcends Jonah's individual experience. It affirms God's sole authority and ability to deliver and save in every sense—physical, spiritual, and eternal. This is a profound statement of absolute trust and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over life, death, and all circumstances. It serves as an ultimate truth that justifies Jonah's hope and his subsequent commitment. It is a polemic against reliance on anything or anyone other than God for ultimate deliverance.

Jonah 2 9 Bonus section

The emphatic statement "Salvation is of the LORD" is unique within prophetic literature of this type. It's not a common ending to a lament or prayer, making it a stark and powerful theological anchor for the book of Jonah. It also subtly critiques popular polytheistic beliefs of the ancient Near East, where gods were often localized or limited in power; Jonah, having been through an experience that defies all human means of salvation, affirms YHWH's exclusive and unlimited salvific power, extending even to the deep and the unseen realms. This phrase also acts as a profound confessional statement, moving beyond mere petition to absolute doctrinal declaration, influencing not only Jonah's future actions but serving as a witness to the surrounding gentile world. The Hebrew yeshu'ah is also closely related to the name "Jesus" (Yeshua), linking this ancient prophecy directly to the New Testament's understanding of salvation found only in Christ.

Jonah 2 9 Commentary

Jonah 2:9 marks the definitive turning point in Jonah's prayer and heart. After an initial lament and a description of his dire straits, Jonah shifts to an expression of profound gratitude and steadfast trust, even while still ensnared in the fish. He actively differentiates himself from those "who regard worthless idols," reaffirming his allegiance to YHWH. His promise to "sacrifice with the voice of thanksgiving" is a spiritual offering, an acknowledgement that true worship extends beyond physical rituals and into the heartfelt expression of gratitude and praise (Ps 50:23). He commits to fulfilling any vows made during his extreme distress, signifying a renewed dedication to obedience. The culminating statement, "Salvation is of the LORD," encapsulates the entire message of the verse and the chapter. It's a declaration that deliverance, whether from the belly of a fish or from sin itself, emanates exclusively from God's power and mercy. This verse is not merely Jonah’s plea but a profound theological truth for all who find themselves in impossible situations, affirming that rescue and ultimate well-being originate solely from the sovereign God.