Jonah 2: Verse-by-Verse Commentary (with Videos)

10 verses · 2 video commentaries from 1 course · Berean Standard Bible

¹From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God,

²saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.

³For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me.

⁴At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’

⁵The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head.

⁶To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!

⁷As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple.

⁸Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.

⁹But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”

¹⁰And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah 2 Section and Chapter Commentary

Jonah 2:2-10

Jonah's prayer in the fish's belly is a generic psalm

Jonah's prayer from inside the great fish, while seemingly appropriate for his situation, uses generic language found in many psalms, such as Psalm 69. This suggests it is an independent psalm inserted into the narrative, rather than a unique expression from Jonah, who otherwise acts as an 'anti-prophet.'

Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 20: Jonah and Esther · watch the clip

Jonah 2 Verse Notes

Jonah 2:10

The fish's obedience contrasts with Jonah's disobedience

After Jonah is thrown overboard, God sends a great fish to swallow him, saving his life but frustrating his desire to die. The fish's immediate obedience to God's command to swallow Jonah and then later to spew him onto dry land highlights Jonah's own disobedience and reluctance, making the fish a 'better prophet' in terms of obedience.

Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 20: Jonah and Esther · watch the clip