Jonah 2:7
What does Jonah 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Jonah 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jonah 2:7 means
At the point of collapse—“when my soul fainted”—Jonah remembered Jehovah. Memory here is repentance awakening: he turns his mind and heart back to God. His prayer, he says, reached God in the holy temple, the place where He accepts worship and grants mercy. The verse emphasizes both Jonah’s extremity and God’s accessibility. Though he had fled God’s presence, at the last he entrusted himself again to the One he had resisted. The flow of grace is evident: God moves to save, and Jonah responds with prayer that God receives, not because of Jonah’s merit, but because God welcomes the contrite at His dwelling.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; And my prayer came in unto thee, into thy holy temple.
KJV
King James Version · 1611When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; And my prayer came in unto thee, into thy holy temple.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949When my soul in me was overcome, I kept the memory of the Lord: and my prayer came in to you, into your holy Temple.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In the feebleness within me of my soul Jehovah I have remembered, And come in unto Thee doth my prayer, Unto Thy holy temple.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I went down to the lowest parts of the mountains: the bars of the earth have shut me up for ever: and thou wilt bring up my life from corruption, O Lord, my God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; And my prayer came in unto thee, Into thy holy temple.
Context
Following the declaration of rescue in verse 6, verse 7 reflects on the inner hinge of the story: remembering and praying. It connects with verse 4’s resolve to look to the holy temple, now realized. The next two verses will move from recollection to resolution—renouncing idols (verse 8) and renewing vows with thanksgiving (verse 9). The chapter is transitioning from the narrative of near-death to commitments shaped by mercy experienced.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Lamentations 3:21
This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
- Jonah 2:4
And I said, I am cast out from before thine eyes; Yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
- Psalms 11:4
Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
- Isaiah 50:10
Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? he that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah, and rely upon his God.
- 2 Chronicles 30:27
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even unto heaven.
- Psalms 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who isthe help of my countenance, and my God.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Jonah 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Jonah 2.