Jonah 1:13
What does Jonah 1:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Jonah 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jonah 1:13 means
Despite Jonah’s instruction, the men row hard to reach land, unwilling to cast him overboard. Their refusal reveals a moral instinct: they do not want to be guilty of shedding blood, even to save themselves. Yet their strength proves useless, because the sea grows more tempestuous against them. Human resolve, however noble, cannot undo what God has decreed. The verse underscores both the futility of resisting God’s pointed discipline and the unexpected mercy of these pagans toward Jonah, whose disobedience had endangered them in the first place.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not: for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not: for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the men were working hard to get back to the land, but they were not able to do so: for the sea got rougher and rougher against them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the men row to turn back unto the dry land, and are not able, for the sea is more and more tempestuous against them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the men rowed hard to return the land, but they were not able: because the sea tossed and swelled upon them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the men rowed hard to regain the land; but they could not; for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
Context
Having heard Jonah’s solution, the sailors try an alternative that spares his life. The worsening storm closes that door, making clear that only submission to God’s revealed will can bring calm. This prepares for the sailors’ prayer in the next verse, where they appeal directly to Jehovah for mercy and for release from guilt before they carry out the necessary act Jonah prescribed.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14Wherefore they cried unto Jehovah, and said, We beseech thee, O Jehovah, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Jehovah, hast done as it pleased thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
- Job 34:29
When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man:
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Jonah 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Jonah 1.