Old Testament

Jonah 1:11

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In Jonah 1:11, the sailors are desperate as they face a violent storm at sea.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Jonah
Written: Around 760 BC
Genre: Prophetic narrative
Original Audience: Israelites and Gentile nations

CBTClear Bible Translation

Then they asked him, "What should we do to you so that the sea will be calm for us?" For the sea was raging and stormy.

KJVKing James Version

Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Jonah 1:11, the sailors are desperate as they face a violent storm at sea. They turn to Jonah, who is the cause of their troubles due to his disobedience to God. The sailors ask Jonah what they should do to calm the sea, indicating their fear and urgency. This moment highlights the seriousness of the situation and the sailors' recognition that they need to take action to appease the storm. Jonah's presence on the ship has brought about this chaos, and the sailors are seeking a solution to restore peace. Their question reflects their helplessness and the belief that Jonah holds the key to resolving the turmoil. This verse illustrates the theme of accountability, as Jonah must confront the consequences of his actions, and it sets the stage for the unfolding drama of his journey and the sailors' fate.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Jonah 1:11 to your life

This verse reminds us that our actions can impact others significantly. Just as Jonah's disobedience affected the sailors, our choices can create turmoil in the lives of those around us. We should strive to act responsibly and seek God's guidance in our decisions to promote peace and harmony.

Curated for this public verse page. Jonah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jonah 1:11 mean?

In Jonah 1:11, the sailors are in a panic due to a fierce storm and ask Jonah what they should do to calm the sea. This shows their desperation and highlights Jonah's role in causing the storm through his disobedience to God.

What is the significance of the sailors' question in Jonah 1:11?

The sailors' question reflects their fear and urgency as they seek a solution to the chaos caused by Jonah's presence. It emphasizes the theme of accountability, as Jonah must confront the consequences of his actions.

How does Jonah 1:11 relate to the theme of accountability?

In Jonah 1:11, the sailors' inquiry about how to calm the sea underscores the accountability Jonah faces for his actions. His disobedience has not only affected him but also put the lives of the sailors in jeopardy.

What lesson can we learn from Jonah 1:11?

Jonah 1:11 teaches that our actions can have significant consequences for others. It encourages us to act responsibly and seek guidance to avoid creating turmoil in the lives of those around us.

Book Summary

The Book of Jonah

Jonah 1: Jonah Flees from the Lord

The word of the Lord comes unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rises up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He goes down to Joppa, finds a ship going to Tarshish, pays the fare thereof, and goes down into it. The Lord sends out a great wind into the sea, and there is a mighty tempest, so that the ship is like to be broken. The mariners are afraid, and cry every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that are in the ship into the sea to lighten it. But Jonah is gone down into the sides of the ship, and he lies fast asleep.

The shipmaster comes to him and asks, What meanest thou, O sleeper? He urges Jonah to arise and call upon his God, if so be that God will think upon them, that they perish not. The mariners say every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. They cast lots, and the lot falls upon Jonah. They question him about his occupation, his country, and his people. He tells them he is an Hebrew and fears the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. The men are exceedingly afraid and ask why he has done this, for they know he fled from the presence of the Lord. They ask what they shall do unto him that the sea may be calm. Jonah tells them to take him up and cast him forth into the sea, for he knows that for his sake this great tempest is upon them. Nevertheless, the men row hard to bring the ship to land, but they cannot. Wherefore they cry unto the Lord, saying, We beseech thee, O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood. So they take up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the sea ceases from her raging. Then the men fear the Lord exceedingly, and offer a sacrifice and make vows. Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah is in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 2: Jonah's Prayer Then Jonah prays unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. He says he cried by reason of his affliction unto the Lord, and He heard him; out of the belly of hell he cried, and God heard his voice. He recounts how he was cast into the deep, in the midst of the seas, and the floods compassed him about. He said he was cast out of God's sight, yet he would look again toward His holy temple. The waters compassed him about, even to the soul; the depth closed him round about, and the weeds were wrapped about his head. He went down to the bottoms of the mountains, and the earth with her bars was about him for ever; yet, he says, God has brought up his life from corruption.

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