Bible Commentaries

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.

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.

Then said, &c. Compare Psalms 81:22

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

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

waters. Compare Psalms 69:1.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

depth = an abyss.

weeds = floating sea-weeds.

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,

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.

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 Genesis 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)

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

of = to.

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.