Jonah 2:1
What does Jonah 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Jonah 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jonah 2:1 means
Jonah, swallowed by the great fish, turns at last to prayer. The place seems impossible—a belly in the deep—yet he addresses Jehovah as “his God,” showing that the covenant bond remains even after disobedience. The fish, though a judgment, becomes a shelter where repentance can be formed and words can rise to heaven. Jonah’s prayer is not casual; it is the cry of a chastened prophet who now seeks the face he had fled. This verse teaches that no location is too remote, and no condition too desperate, for true prayer to reach God and begin the path from discipline to deliverance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then Jonah prayed unto Jehovah his God out of the fish’s belly.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then Jonah prayed unto Jehovah his God out of the fish’s belly.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Jonah made prayer to the Lord his God from the inside of the fish, and said,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jonah prayeth unto Jehovah his God from the bowels of the fish.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah: and Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jonah prayed unto Jehovah hisGod out of the fish's belly;
Context
Chapter 1 ended with Jehovah appointing a great fish to swallow Jonah, preserving his life. Now chapter 2 opens not with action but with prayer, shifting from the storm and ship to an interior psalm from the depths. This first verse frames the whole chapter as Jonah’s earnest address to God. What follows will recount his distress and God’s hearing, moving from near-death imagery to renewed hope and vows, and finally to rescue in verse 10.
v.1This passage
v.2And he said, I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, And thou heardest my voice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honor him.
- Acts 16:24
who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
- James 5:13
Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise.
- Isaiah 26:16
Jehovah, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
- Psalms 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
- Hosea 5:15
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly.
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