Jonah 1:11
What does Jonah 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Jonah 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jonah 1:11 means
As the storm intensifies, the sailors ask Jonah what they should do to him so the sea will grow calm. Their question shows humility and restraint; they seek the offender’s own guidance rather than acting rashly. It also acknowledges that the solution lies beyond human skill. If Jonah’s God sent the tempest, then reconciliation with Him is required. The request pushes Jonah to accept responsibility and speak a costly word. The men’s desperation is evident—the sea is worsening—but they still seek a just and effective course, not merely a quick release from fear.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they said to him, What are we to do to you so that the sea may become calm for us? For the sea was getting rougher and rougher.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they say unto him, `What do we do to thee that the sea may cease from us, for the sea is more and more tempestuous?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they said to him: What shall we do with thee, that the sea may be calm to us? for the sea flowed and swelled.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they said unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
Context
The narrative shifts from revelation of guilt to the search for remedy. The worsening storm underscores the urgency of decisive action. The crew recognizes that Jonah’s relationship with Jehovah is the key to deliverance, so they put the matter in his hands. What he says next will determine their fate. In the following verse, Jonah tells them the hard truth, accepting his role in the crisis and proposing a path to peace.
v.10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, What is this that thou hast done? For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of Jehovah, because he had told them.
v.11This passage
v.12And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 6:2
And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do with the ark of Jehovah? show us wherewith we shall send it to its place.
- 2 Samuel 21:1
And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.
- 2 Samuel 24:11
And when David rose up in the morning, the word of Jehovah came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,
- Micah 6:6
Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?
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