God’s Word Translation
Jonah 1:13
13Instead, the men tried to row harder to get the ship back to shore, but they couldn’t do it. The storm was getting worse.
Jonah 1:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
- New International Version (NIV)Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.
Context of Jonah 1:13
11The storm was getting worse. So they asked Jonah, “What should we do with you to calm the sea?” 12He told them, “Throw me overboard. Then the sea will become calm. I know that I’m responsible for this violent storm.” Instead, the men tried to row harder to get the ship back to shore, but they couldn’t do it. The storm was getting worse. 14So they cried to the Lord for help: “Please, Lord, don’t let us die for taking this man’s life. Don’t hold us responsible for the death of an innocent man, because you, Lord, do whatever you want.” 15Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the sea became calm.
Read all of Jonah 1Jonah 1:13 word by word
וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים לְהָשִׁ֛יב אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה וְלֹ֣א יָכֹ֑לוּ כִּ֣י הַיָּ֔ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְסֹעֵ֖ר עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Nevertheless the menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- rowed hardחָתַרchâthar · to digH2864
- to bringשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
- to the landיַבָּשָׁהyabbâώâh · dry landH3004
- but they couldיָכֹלyâkôl yâkôl · be ableH3201
- not: for the seaיָםyâm · seaH3220
- wroughtהָלַךְhâlak · to go: continueH1980
- and was tempestuousסָעַרsâ‛ar · to rageH5590
Cross-references for Jonah 1:13
Commentaries on Jonah 1:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13The men rowed hard - Were very unwilling to proceed to this extremity, and thought they would risk every thing rather than cast this disobedient prophet into the great deep.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13The men rowed hard - , literally “dug.” The word, like our “plowed the main,” describes the great efforts which they made. Amid the violence of the storm, they had furled their sails. These were worse than useless. The wind was off shore, since by rowing alpine they hoped to get back to it. They put their oars well and firmly in the sea, and turned up the water, as men turn up earth by digging. But in vain! God willed it not. The sea went on its way, as…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-17Verses 13-17 The mariners rowed against wind and tide, the wind of God's displeasure, the tide of his counsel; but it is in vain to think of saving ourselves any other way than by destroying our sins. Even natural conscience cannot but dread blood-guiltiness. And when we are led by Providence God does what he pleases, and we ought to be satisfied, though it may not please us. Throwing Jonah into the sea put an end to the storm. God will not afflict for…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14the men rowed hard: They knew Jonah had angered the Lord, but they worried the Lord would be angrier if they killed his prophet.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. they could not--(Pr 21:30). Wind and tide--God's displeasure and God's counsel--were against them.Read the comment
Topics related to Jonah 1:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jonah 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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