Jonah 1:15
What does Jonah 1:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Jonah 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jonah 1:15 means
They take Jonah and cast him into the sea. Instantly, the waters cease from raging. The sudden calm proves that the storm was God’s deliberate instrument and that Jonah’s surrender was the appointed means of deliverance. The timing vindicates Jonah’s word and confirms Jehovah’s sovereignty. It also displays God’s mercy to the many through the judgment that falls on one. The men did not murder; they participated in God’s remedy. Peace returns not by technique but by obedience to God’s revealed will, even when it is hard and humbling.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So they took Jonah up and put him into the sea: and the sea was no longer angry.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they lift up Jonah, and cast him into the sea, and the sea ceaseth from its raging;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they took Jonah, and cast him into the sea, and the sea ceased from raging.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from its raging.
Context
This climactic act resolves the crisis at sea. The immediate calm validates everything the narrative has been building toward: Jehovah sent the storm, exposed Jonah, and provided a way to peace. The sailors’ response to this miracle comes next. Having witnessed God’s power firsthand, they move from fear to worship, offering sacrifice and making vows in the following verse.
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.
v.15This passage
v.16Then the men feared Jehovah exceedingly; and they offered a sacrifice unto Jehovah, and made vows.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 8:24
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
- Matthew 8:26
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
- Psalms 107:29
He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.
- Psalms 89:9
Thou rulest the pride of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
- Joshua 7:24
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the mantle, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them up unto the valley of Achor.
- 2 Samuel 21:8
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bare to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
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.