Jonah 1:5

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

Then were the mariners, afraid, and made outcry every man unto his own god, and they hurled the wares which were in the ship, into the sea, to lighten it of them, - but, Jonah, had gone down into the hinder parts of the vessel, and had lain down, and fallen into a sound sleep.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel and had stretched out and fallen into a deep sleep.

Hebrew Names Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it. But Yonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship, and he was laying down, and was fast asleep.

King James Version (1611)
Then the Mariners were afraid, and cried euery man vnto his god, and cast foorth the wares that were in the ship, into the sea, to lighten it of them: but Ionah was gone downe into the sides of the ship, and hee lay, and was fast asleepe.

King James Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

English Standard Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.

New American Standard Bible
Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried out to his god, and they hurled the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the stern of the ship, had lain down, and fallen sound asleep.

New Century Version
The sailors were afraid, and each man cried to his own god. They began throwing the cargo from the ship into the sea to make the ship lighter. But Jonah had gone down far inside the ship to lie down, and he fell fast asleep.

Amplified Bible
Then the sailors were afraid, and each man cried out to his god; and to lighten the ship [and diminish the danger] they threw the ship's cargo into the sea. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship and had lain down and was sound asleep.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the mariners were afraide, and cryed euery man vnto his God, and cast the wares that were in the ship, into the sea to lighten it of the: but Ionah was gone downe into the sides of the ship, and he lay downe, and was fast a sleepe.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the sailors became fearful, and every man cried to his god, and they hurled the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down below into the innermost part of the vessel, lain down, and fallen deep asleep.

Berean Standard Bible
The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Contemporary English Version
The sailors were frightened, and they all started praying to their gods. They even threw the ship's cargo overboard to make the ship lighter. All this time, Jonah was down below deck, sound asleep.

Complete Jewish Bible
The sailors were frightened, and each cried out to his god. They threw the cargo overboard to make the ship easier for them to control. Meanwhile, Yonah had gone down below into the hold, where he lay, fast asleep.

Darby Translation
And the mariners were afraid, and cried every one unto his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to be lightened of them. But Jonah had gone down into the lower part of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Easy-to-Read Version
The men wanted to make the boat lighter to stop it from sinking, so they began throwing the cargo into the sea. The sailors were very afraid. Each man began praying to his god. Jonah had gone down into the boat to lie down, and he went to sleep.

George Lamsa Translation
Then the mariners were afraid and cried every man to his god, and they threw the wares that were in the ship into the sea to lighten it. But Jonah had gone down into the inner hold of the ship; and he lay and was fast asleep.

Good News Translation
The sailors were terrified and cried out for help, each one to his own god. Then, in order to lessen the danger, they threw the cargo overboard. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone below and was lying in the ship's hold, sound asleep.

Lexham English Bible
And the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they threw the contents that were in the merchant ship into the sea to lighten it for them. And meanwhile Jonah went down into the hold of the vessel and lay down and fell asleep.

Literal Translation
And the sailors were afraid, and each man cried to his god. And they threw out the ship's articles into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship; and he lay down, and was sound asleep.

American Standard Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it unto them. But Jonah was gone down into the innermost parts of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Bible in Basic English
Then the sailors were full of fear, every man crying to his god; and the goods in the ship were dropped out into the sea to make the weight less. But Jonah had gone down into the inmost part of the ship where he was stretched out in a deep sleep.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it unto them. But Jonah was gone down into the innermost parts of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then the maryners were afrayde, and cryed euery man vnto his God, and cast the wares that were in the shippe into the sea, to lighten it of them: but Ionas was gone downe into the sides of the shippe, & he laye downe sleeping.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the sailors were alarmed, and cried every one to his god, and cast out the wares that were in the ship into the sea, that it might be lightened of them. But Jonas was gone down into the hold of the ship, and was asleep, and snored.

English Revised Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it unto them. But Jonah was gone down into the innermost parts of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

World English Bible
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it. But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship, and he was laying down, and was fast asleep.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And schip men dredden, and men crieden to her god; and senten vessels, that weren in the schip, in to the see, that it were maad liytere of hem. And Jonas wente doun in to the ynnere thingis of the schip, and slepte bi a greuouse sleep.

Update Bible Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it to them. But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to his god, and cast the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah had gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

New English Translation
The sailors were so afraid that each cried out to his own god and they flung the ship's cargo overboard to make the ship lighter. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold below deck, had lain down, and was sound asleep.

New King James Version
Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. [fn] But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

New Living Translation
Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.

New Life Bible
The sailors became afraid, and every man cried to his god. They threw the things that were in the ship into the sea so that it would not be so heavy. But Jonah had gone below in the ship and had lain down and fallen asleep.

New Revised Standard
Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold of the ship and had lain down, and was fast asleep.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the mariners were afraid, and the men cried to their god: and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship, into the sea, to lighten it of them: and Jonas went down into the inner part of the ship, and fell into a deep sleep.

Revised Standard Version
Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried to his god; and they threw the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down, and was fast asleep.

Young's Literal Translation
and the mariners are afraid, and cry each unto his god, and cast the goods that [are] in the ship into the sea, to make [it] light of them; and Jonah hath gone down unto the sides of the vessel, and he lieth down, and is fast asleep.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then the maryners were afrayde, and cried euery man vnto his god: and the goodes that were in the shippe, they cast in to the see, to lighten it off them. But Ionas gat him vnder ye hatches, where he layed him downe and slombred.

Contextual Overview

⁴ But, Yahweh, hurled a great wind against the sea, - and, there arose a mighty tempest in the sea, - and, the ship, thought to be broken in pieces, ⁵ Then were the mariners, afraid, and made outcry every man unto his own god, and they hurled the wares which were in the ship, into the sea, to lighten it of them, - but, Jonah, had gone down into the hinder parts of the vessel, and had lain down, and fallen into a sound sleep. ⁶ Then drew near unto him the shipmaster, and said to him, What meanest thou, O sound sleeper? Arise, cry unto thy God, Peradventure God will bethink himself of us, that we perish not. ⁷ And they said - every one unto his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may get to know for whose sake this calamity is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. ⁸ Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose sake this calamity is upon us? What is thy business? and from whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? ⁹ And he said unto them, A Hebrew, am I, - and, Yahweh, the God of the heavens, do, I, revere, him who made the sea, and the dry land. ¹⁰ Then did the men revere with great reverence, and said unto him, What is it thou hast done? For the men knew that, away from the presence of Yahweh, he was fleeing, - for he had told them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

cried: Jonah 1:6, Jonah 1:14, Jonah 1:16, 1 Kings 18:26, Isaiah 44:17-20, Isaiah 45:20, Jeremiah 2:28, Hosea 7:14

and cast: Job 2:4, Acts 27:18, Acts 27:19, Acts 27:38, Philippians 3:7, Philippians 3:8

the sides: 1 Samuel 24:3

and was: Judges 16:19, Matthew 25:5, Matthew 26:40, Matthew 26:41, Matthew 26:43, Matthew 26:45, Luke 22:45, Luke 22:46

Reciprocal: Psalms 107:28 - General Ecclesiastes 3:6 - and a time to cast Isaiah 46:7 - one shall cry Jonah 4:5 - Jonah Habakkuk 2:19 - that Matthew 8:24 - there Acts 20:9 - being Acts 28:11 - whose Romans 10:14 - shall they

Cross-References

Genesis 1:8
And God called the expanse, heavens. So it was evening - and it was morning, a, second day.

Genesis 1:13
So it was evening - and it was morning, a third day.

Genesis 1:19
So it was evening - and it was morning, a fourth day.

Genesis 1:23
So it was evening - and it was morning, a fifth day.

Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing which he had made, and lo! it was very good. So it was evening - and it was morning, the sixth day.

Genesis 8:22
During all the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease.

Psalms 19:2
Day, unto day, doth pour forth speech, and, night, unto night, doth breathe out knowledge.

Psalms 74:16
Thine, is the day, Yea, thine, the night, Thou, didst establish moon and sun;

Psalms 104:20
Thou causest darkness, and it becometh night, Therein, creepeth forth, Every wild beast of the forest;

Isaiah 45:7
Forming light and creating darkness, Making prosperity, and creating misfortune, - I - Yahweh, who doeth all these.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then the mariners were afraid,.... Perceiving that the storm was not an ordinary, but a supernatural one; and that the ship and all in it were in extreme danger, and no probability of being saved. This shows that the storm must be very violent, to frighten such men who were used to the sea, and to storms, and were naturally bold and intrepid. The word used signifies "salters", so called from the salt sea they used, as they are by us "mariners", from "mare", the "sea"; though R. Japhet in Aben Ezra thinks the commodity they carried in their vessel was salt:

and cried every man to his god: to help them, and save them out of their distress. In the ship it seems were men of different nations, and who worshipped different gods. It was a notion of the Jews, and which Jarchi mentions as his own, that there were men of the seventy nations of the earth in it; and as each of them had a different god, they separately called upon them. The polytheism of the Pagans is to be condemned, and shows the great uncertainty of their religion; yet this appears to be agreeable to the light of nature that there is a God, and that God is to be prayed unto, and called upon, especially in time of trouble:

and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them; or, "the vessels" c, a word the Hebrews use for all sorts of goods, utensils, c. it includes, with others, their military weapons they had to defend themselves, their provisions, the ship's stores or goods it was freighted with finding their prayers to their gods were ineffectual, they betook themselves to this prudential method to lighten the ship, that they might be able to keep its head above water. So the Targum,

"when they saw there was no profit in them;''

that is in the gods they called upon, then they did this; the other was a matter of religion this a point of prudence; such a step the mariners took that belonged to the ship in which the Apostle Paul was,

Acts 27:18;

but Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; into one of its sides, into a cabin there; the lowest side, as the Targum:

and he lay, and was fast asleep; even snored, as some versions have it: it may seem strange he should when the wind was so strong and boisterous; the sea roaring; the waves beating; the ship rolling about; the mariners hurrying from place to place, and calling to each other to do their duty; and the passengers crying; and, above all, that he should fall into so sound a sleep, and continue in it, when he had such a guilty conscience. This shows that he was asleep in a spiritual as well as in a corporeal sense.

c את הכלים "vasa", V. L. Vatablus, Grotius.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And cried, every man unto his God - They did what they could. “Not knowing the truth, they yet know of a Providence, and, amid religious error, know that there is an Object of reverence.” In ignorance they had received one who offended God. And now God, “whom they ignorantly worshiped” Acts 17:23, while they cried to the gods, who, they thought, disposed of them, heard them. They escaped with the loss of their wares, but God saved their lives and revealed Himself to them. God hears ignorant prayer, when ignorance is not willful and sin.

To lighten it of them - , literally “to lighten from against them, to lighten” what was so much “against them,” what so oppressed them. “They thought that the ship was weighed down by its wonted lading, and they knew not that the whole weight was that of the fugitive prophet.” “The sailors cast forth their wares,” but the ship was not lightened. For the whole weight still remained, the body of the prophet, that heavy burden, not from the nature of the body, but from the burden of sin. For nothing is so onerous and heavy as sin and disobedience. Whence also Zechariah Zechariah 5:7 represented it under the image of lead. And David, describing its nature, said Psalms 38:4, “my wickednesses are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” And Christ cried aloud to those who lived in many sins, Matthew 11:28. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will refresh you.”

Jonah was gone down - , probably before the beginning of the storm, not simply before the lightening of the vessel. He could hardly have fallen asleep “then.” A pagan ship was a strange place for a prophet of God, not as a prophet, but as a fugitive; and so, probably, ashamed of what he had completed, he had withdrawn from sight and notice. He did not embolden himself in his sin, but shrank into himself. The conscience most commonly awakes, when the sin is done. It stands aghast as itself; but Satan, if he can, cuts off its retreat. Jonah had no retreat now, unless God had made one.

And was fast asleep - The journey to Joppa had been long and hurried; he had “fled.” Sorrow and remorse completed what fatigue began. Perhaps he had given himself up to sleep, to dull his conscience. For it is said, “he lay down and was fast asleep.” Grief produces sleep; from where it is said of the apostles in the night before the Lord’s Passion, when Jesus “rose up from prayer and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow” Luke 22:45 . “Jonah slept heavily. Deep was the sleep, but it was not of pleasure but of grief; not of heartlessness, but of heavy-heartedness. For well-disposed servants soon feel their sins, as did he. For when the sin has been done, then he knows its frightfulness. For such is sin. When born, it awakens pangs in the soul which bare it, contrary to the law of our nature. For so soon as we are born, we end the travail-pangs; but sin, so soon as born, rends with pangs the thoughts which conceived it.” Jonah was in a deep sleep, a sleep by which he was fast held and bound; a sleep as deep as that from which Sisera never woke. Had God allowed the ship to sink, the memory of Jonah would have been that of the fugitive prophet. As it is, his deep sleep stands as an image of the lethargy of sin . “This most deep sleep of Jonah signifies a man torpid and slumbering in error, to whom it sufficed not to flee from the face of God, but his mind, drowned in a stupor and not knowing the displeasure of God, lies asleep, steeped in security.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 5. Cried every man unto his god — The ship's crew were all heathens; and, it is probable, heathens who had each a different object of religious worship.

Cast forth the wares — Threw the lading overboard to lighten the ship, hoping the better to ride out the storm.

Jonah was gone down — Most probably into the hold or cabin under the deck; or where they had berths for passengers in the sides of the ship; something in the manner of our packets.

Was fast asleep. — Probably quite exhausted and overcome with distress, which in many cases terminates in a deep sleep. So the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane.