Bible Commentaries
Jonah 2

Verse 1

Then = And See note on Jonah 2:10 .

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

belly = bowels. Compare Jonah 1:17 .

Note the Figure of speech Exergasia ( App-6 ), as shown by the Alternation in Jonah 2:2 .

Verse 2

cried = cried out. Not the same word as in the next clause, or in Jonah 1:5 ; but the same as in Jonah 1:2 , Jonah 1:5 , Jonah 1:14 .

heard = answered. Hebrew. anah . Not the same word as in the next clause.

hell. Hebrew. Sheol . App-35 . Compare Psalms 18:5 ; Psalms 116:3 .

cried = cried for help in distress. Not the same word as in preceding clause, or in Jonah 1:2 , Jonah 1:5 , Jonah 1:14 .

heardest = gavest heed to. Hebrew. shama . Not the same word as in preceding clause.

hadst cast = castedst, or didst cast.

midst = heart.

floods: or, tides. Hebrew. nahar, (Singular.)

all Thy billows , &c. Compare Psalms 42:7 .

Verse 4

Then said, &c. Compare Psa 81:22

toward, &c. Compare 1 Kings 8:38 .

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 5

waters. Compare Psalms 69:1 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 .

depth = an abyss.

weeds = floating sea-weeds.

Verse 6

bottoms = roots.

the earth, &c = as for the earth, her bars, &c. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Syriac, read "and as to the earth".

was. Substitute "were".

for ever. The thought of a drowning man.

brought = didst bring.

corruption = the pit or grave, the place of corruption. Hebrew shachath,

Verse 7

fainted = swooned, or became unconscious to all else. Compare Psalms 77:3 .Lamentations 2:12 , From 'ataph, to cover or involve in darkness.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. (with 'eth) = Jehovah Him-self. App-4 .

Verse 8

observe = regard, or heed.

lying = empty.

forsake their own mercy = do not heed their chastisement.

forsake = not to heed. Hebrew. 'azab. Compare Genesis 2:24 .

mercy. Hebrew. hesed. A homonym, with two meanings: (1) lovingkindness, as in Gen 24:12 . 2 Samuel 7:15 . 1 Chronicles 19:2 . 2 Chronicles 6:14 .Psalms 103:4 , Psalms 103:8 , Psalms 103:11 , Psalms 103:17 , &c.; (2) correction, or chastisement (Leviticus 20:17 , a wicked thing bringing down punishment). Job 37:13 (mercy = chastisement, synonymous with "correction" in preceding clause (margin rod)). Proverbs 25:10 (put to shame: i.e. by correction)

Verse 9

Salvation is of = Salvation (belongeth] to: as in Psalms 3:8 . The prayer (verses: Jonah 2:2-9 ).

of = to.

Verse 10

And, &c. Jonah's rapid thought and words before he died were subsequently written down by him; for all the verbs are in the past tense, not the present. Compare Jonah 2:6 , "didst bring", &c. See notes on p. 1247.