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Jonah 2

World English Bible

WEB

1Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, out of the fish’s belly. 2He said, “I called because of my affliction to Yahweh. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice. 3For you threw me into the depths, in the heart of the seas. The flood was all around me. All your waves and your billows passed over me. 4I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5The waters surrounded me, even to the soul. The deep was around me. The weeds were wrapped around my head. 6I went down to the bottoms of the mountains. The earth barred me in forever; yet you have brought my life up from the pit, Yahweh my God. 7“When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came in to you, into your holy temple. 8Those who regard vain idols forsake their own mercy. 9But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation belongs to Yahweh.” 10Then Yahweh spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah on the dry land.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

In Jonah Chapter 2, we find the prophet Jonah in a moment of deep distress, having been swallowed by a great fish after attempting to flee from God's command to preach to the city of Nineveh. This chapter serves as a poignant prayer of repentance and deliverance, showcasing Jonah's heartfelt cry to the Lord from the belly of the fish. He acknowledges his dire situation, stating, "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice" (#Jonah 2:2). This highlights the theme of God's mercy and readiness to listen to those who turn to Him in their time of need, no matter how far they have strayed.

Jonah recalls the overwhelming circumstances he faced, describing how the waters surrounded him and how he felt as if he were drowning. Yet, in his despair, he remembers the Lord and vows to offer sacrifices and fulfill his promises. His prayer reflects a deep understanding of God's sovereignty and grace, as he recognizes that salvation belongs to the Lord (#Jonah 2:9). Ultimately, God commands the fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land, demonstrating His power to save and restore those who repent and seek Him. This chapter emphasizes the importance of turning back to God, even in the darkest of times, and serves as a reminder of His unfailing love and willingness to forgive.

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Referenced by

  1. Psalms 3:4v2In Psalm 3:4, David cries out to the Lord and is heard, similar to Jonah 2:2 where Jonah calls out to God from the belly of the fish and is heard. Both passages highlight God's responsiveness to the cries of His people.
  2. Psalms 18:4-5v5Both passages describe being overwhelmed by the waters, symbolizing distress and the need for divine rescue.
  3. Psalms 42:7v3Psalm 42:7 describes deep waters and waves, similar to Jonah 2:3, where Jonah experiences being engulfed by the sea, symbolizing overwhelming circumstances.
  4. Psalms 130:1v2Both Psalm 130:1 and Jonah 2:2 express a cry to the Lord from the depths of distress, highlighting the theme of calling upon God in times of trouble.

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