Jonah 1:15

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jonah 1:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.
Jonah 1:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Jonah 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So they took up, Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea, etc.] They took him out of the hold or cabin where he was, and brought him upon deck; they took him, not against his will, but with his full consent, and according to the direction and advice he gave them: “they”, for there were more than one employed in this affair; one or more very probably took him by the legs, and others put their hands under his arm holes, and so threw him into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging; immediately, and became a calm; and the wind also ceased from blowing, which is supposed; the end being answered by the storm, and the person found and obtained, what was sought after by it, it was still and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“sea ceased . . . raging--so at Jesus' word (). God spares the prayerful penitent, a truth illustrated now in the case of the sailors, presently in that of Jonah, and thirdly, in that of Nineveh.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They took up Jonah - o “He does not say, ‘laid hold on him’, nor ‘came upon him’ but ‘lifted’ him; as it were, bearing him with respect and honor, they cast him into the sea, not resisting, but yielding himself to their will.” The sea ceased (literally “stood”) from his raging - Ordinarily, the waves still swell, when the wind has ceased. The sea, when it had received Jonah, was hushed at once, to show that God alone raised and quelled it. It “stood” still, like a servant, when it had accomplished its mission. God, who at all times saith to it Job 38:11, “Hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed,” now unseen, as afterward in the flesh Matthew 8:26,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they: Jos 7:24-26; Sa2 21:8, Sa2 21:9 and the: Psa 89:9, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4, Psa 107:29; Mat 8:26; Luk 8:24 ceased: Heb. stood Jonah 1:16”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“After they had prayed thus, they cast Jonah into the sea, and "the sea stood still (ceased) from its raging." The sudden cessation of the storm showed that the bad weather had come entirely on Jonah's account, and that the sailors had not shed innocent blood by casting him into the sea. In this sudden change in the weather, the arm of the holy God was so suddenly manifested, that the sailors "feared Jehovah with great fear, and offered sacrifice to Jehovah" - not after they landed, but immediately, on board the ship - "and vowed vows," i.e., vowed that they would offer Him still further sacrifices on their safe arrival at their destination. Jonah 1:17”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification