Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJonah 2

Jonah’s Prayer from the Fish This section tells what happened after Jonah was swallowed by the great fish. Inside the fish, Jonah prays to the Lord

v. 2: And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord

v. 3: For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Jonah remembers being thrown into the sea and feeling overwhelmed by the waves. He knows that God is in control of everything, even the sea and the storm .

v. 4: Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. Jonah felt far from God and thought he would never see God’s temple again. Still, he hoped and looked toward God, believing that God could save him .

v. 5: The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. Jonah describes how close he was to death. The water surrounded him, and seaweed was around his head. He was trapped and helpless .

v. 6: I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord

v. 7: When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord

v. 8: They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. Jonah realizes that trusting in idols or false hopes is useless. Only God’s mercy can help us. If we turn away from God, we lose the mercy He wants to give us .

v. 9: But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord

Jonah's Deliverance This section tells how Jonah was set free from the belly of the fish. Jonah’s escape is like a return from the grave to the land of the living. It is both a miracle and a sign of God’s power and mercy. God controls all creation and can use any creature to fulfill His will. Even after Jonah’s disobedience, when he prayed and turned back to God, God showed him mercy and rescued him. Jonah’s deliverance also points to Jesus Christ, who was in the grave for three days and then rose again. This is a reminder that God can save anyone who truly repents.v. 10: God spoke to the fish, and it obeyed Him right away. The fish vomited Jonah out onto dry land (Jonah 2:10 ). This shows that all creatures listen to God’s command, even when people do not. God used His power to save Jonah when he cried out for help, even though Jonah had made mistakes. This was a miracle of mercy for a sinner who prayed. It is also a picture of Christ’s resurrection, when Jesus came out of the grave after three days to bring forgiveness and new life to all who believe (Hosea 6:2 ).