Jonah 2:10
What does Jonah 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Jonah 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jonah 2:10 means
Jehovah speaks, and the fish obeys, expelling Jonah onto dry land. The same God who sent the fish now commands it to release him. The deliverance is tangible and humbling—vomit, not velvet—but it is true rescue, setting Jonah where he can again walk in obedience. God’s sovereignty over the creature world is evident, and His mercy is practical, returning the prophet to life and mission. This exit from the depths anticipates the greater sign Jesus highlighted: deliverance from the grave. Jonah’s story closes this chapter with the clear message that God both disciplines and restores for His saving purposes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jehovah spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jehovah spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And at the Lord's order, the fish sent Jonah out of its mouth on to the dry land.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jehovah saith to the fish, and it vomiteth out Jonah on the dry land.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I with the voice of praise will sacrifice to thee: I will pay whatsoever I have vowed for my salvation to the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jehovah commanded the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry [land].
Context
The chapter concludes with God’s direct intervention in response to Jonah’s prayer and confession. After vows and the proclamation that salvation is of Jehovah (verse 9), verse 10 shows that mercy in action: the prophet is set free. This ending bridges to chapter 3, where Jonah will be recommissioned to preach to Nineveh. The flow from prayer to deliverance underscores the theme of God’s sovereign, compassionate control, turning even judgment into a means of salvation.
v.9But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of Jehovah.
v.10This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 1:9
And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
- Isaiah 50:2
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.
- Psalms 33:9
For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
- Psalms 105:34
He spake, and the locust came, And the grasshopper, and that without number,
- 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.
- Genesis 1:3
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
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