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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jonah 2:8 Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jonah/2-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/32_Jon_02_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jonah 2:8 - Jonah's Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jonah/2-7.htm" title="Jonah 2:7">◄</a> Jonah 2:8 <a href="/jonah/2-9.htm" title="Jonah 2:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jonah/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jonah/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God&#8217s love for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jonah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jonah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jonah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jonah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jonah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jonah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Those who are followers of worthless idols Abandon their faithfulness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jonah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jonah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jonah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their lovingkindness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jonah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Those who regard <i>and</i> follow worthless idols Turn away from their [living source of] mercy <i>and</i> lovingkindness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jonah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those who cherish worthless idols abandon their faithful love,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jonah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jonah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jonah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All who worship worthless idols turn from the God who offers them mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jonah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They that regard lying vanities forsake their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jonah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Those who hold on to worthless idols abandon their loyalty [to you].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jonah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Those who worship worthless idols have abandoned their loyalty to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jonah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Those who cling to vain idols leave behind the gracious love that could have been theirs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jonah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jonah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jonah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Those who regard worthless things forsake their faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jonah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jonah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Those who regard vain idols forsake their own mercy. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jonah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Those observing lying vanities forsake their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jonah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Those observing lying vanities their own mercy forsake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jonah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They watching the vanities of falsehood will forsake their kindness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jonah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They that are vain observe vanities, forsake their own mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jonah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 2:9>Those who in vain observe vanities, abandon their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jonah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Those who worship worthless idols abandon their hope for mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jonah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jonah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All those who revere false idols forsake thy mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jonah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All who observe empty religions forsake your mercy<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jonah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jonah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They that observe vanities and lies have forsaken their own mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jonah/2-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfTdDqEKJXA?start=261" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jonah/2.htm">Jonah's Prayer</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: mə·šam·mə·rîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">Those who cling to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7723.htm" title="7723: šāw (N-ms) -- Or shav; from the same as show' in the sense of desolating; evil, literally or morally; figuratively idolatry, uselessness.">worthless</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: haḇ·lê- (N-mpc) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ya·‘ă·zō·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">forsake</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥas·dām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">His loving devotion.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Psalm 31:6</a></span><br />I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a></span><br />“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a></span><br />They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-21.htm">1 John 5:21</a></span><br />Little children, keep yourselves from idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14-15</a></span><br />Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a></span><br />Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12</a></span><br />My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21</a></span><br />Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a></span><br />They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a></span><br />“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21</a></b></br> And turn ye not aside: for <i>then should ye go</i> after vain <i>things</i>, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they <i>are</i> vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a></b></br> And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that <i>were</i> round about them, <i>concerning</i> whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Psalm 31:6</a></b></br> I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/daniel/2-43.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/hosea/14-8.htm">False.</a> <a href="/ezra/10-8.htm">Forfeit</a> <a href="/daniel/11-30.htm">Forsake</a> <a href="/amos/5-26.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/joel/3-16.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/amos/5-26.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/amos/7-2.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hosea/14-8.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/daniel/8-5.htm">Observing</a> <a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/amos/5-22.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/hosea/9-15.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/amos/7-7.htm">True.</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-12.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-22.htm">Vanities</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-9.htm">Worshippers</a> <a href="/hosea/12-11.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/7-4.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/micah/7-20.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/micah/2-11.htm">False.</a> <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Forfeit</a> <a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Forsake</a> <a href="/micah/4-5.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-7.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/micah/1-7.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-11.htm">Observing</a> <a href="/jonah/2-9.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/micah/6-9.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/micah/6-12.htm">True.</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Vanities</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Worshippers</a> <a href="/nahum/1-11.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jonah 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">The prayer of Jonah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jonah/2-10.htm">He is delivered out of the belly of the fish.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jonah/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jonah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jonah/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Those who cling to worthless idols</b><br>This phrase highlights the futility of idolatry, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the ancient Near Eastern context, idol worship was prevalent among Israel's neighbors, and often a temptation for the Israelites themselves. The Hebrew word for "idols" can also mean "vanities" or "emptiness," emphasizing their lack of substance and power. This is echoed in passages like <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>, which describe idols as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing. The prophets frequently warned against idolatry, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>, where the absurdity of worshipping man-made objects is mocked. Jonah's acknowledgment of the worthlessness of idols contrasts with the sailors in <a href="/jonah/1.htm">Jonah 1</a>, who initially prayed to their gods but ultimately recognized the power of the God of Israel.<p><b>forsake His loving devotion</b><br>The term "loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "hesed," which encompasses God's steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness. This covenantal love is a central theme in the Old Testament, particularly in God's relationship with Israel. By clinging to idols, individuals abandon the true source of love and faithfulness. This concept is mirrored in <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>, where God desires mercy (hesed) rather than sacrifice, emphasizing a relationship over ritual. The forsaking of God's loving devotion is not just a personal loss but a communal one, as it breaks the covenant relationship established with God. In the New Testament, this idea is expanded through the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies God's hesed, offering a new covenant through His sacrifice, as seen in passages like <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> and <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Romans 5:8</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jonah.htm">Jonah</a></b><br>A prophet of God who initially fled from God's command to go to Nineveh, resulting in his being swallowed by a great fish.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nineveh.htm">Nineveh</a></b><br>The city to which Jonah was originally commanded to go and prophesy against due to its wickedness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_great_fish.htm">The Great Fish</a></b><br>The creature appointed by God to swallow Jonah, providing him a place of reflection and repentance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea</a></b><br>Represents the chaos and turmoil Jonah faced as a result of his disobedience.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_loving_devotion.htm">God's Loving Devotion (Hebrew: "chesed")</a></b><br>The steadfast love and mercy of God, which Jonah acknowledges is forsaken by those who pursue idols.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. Reflect on what modern "idols" might be present in your life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forsaking_god's_love.htm">Forsaking God's Love</a></b><br>Pursuing idols leads to a forsaking of God's "chesed" or loving devotion. Consider how prioritizing other things over God might cause you to miss out on His steadfast love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_reflection.htm">Repentance and Reflection</a></b><br>Jonah's time in the belly of the fish was a period of reflection and repentance. Take time to reflect on areas where you may need to turn back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_grace.htm">God's Mercy and Grace</a></b><br>Despite Jonah's initial disobedience, God provided a way for him to return. Trust in God's mercy and grace to restore you when you stray.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_obedience.htm">The Call to Obedience</a></b><br>Jonah's account reminds us of the importance of obedience to God's call. Evaluate how you respond to God's directives in your life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jonah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jonah 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'falling_away'_mean.htm">What does 'falling away' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'let_your_yes_be_yes'_mean.htm">What does 'We will serve the Lord' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_exodus_34_14_with_polytheism.htm">(Exodus 34:14) How do we reconcile the commandment against worshiping other gods with archaeological finds suggesting Israel's early polytheistic practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_spiritual_adultery_mean.htm">What does spiritual adultery mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jonah/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">They that observe lying vanities.--</span>See Note, <a href="/psalms/31-6.htm" title="I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.">Psalm 31:6</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Forsake their own mercy--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, forfeit their own share of the covenant grace. In <a href="/psalms/37-28.htm" title="For the LORD loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.">Psalm 37:28</a> it is said that Jehovah does not forsake his <span class= "ital">chasidim</span>; they, however, by forsaking Jehovah (Himself called Israel's <span class= "ital">mercy,</span> <a href="/psalms/144-2.htm" title="My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.">Psalm 144:2</a>, margin) and His law (<a href="/psalms/89-30.htm" title="If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;">Psalm 89:30</a>) can forfeit their <span class= "ital">chesed</span> or covenant privilege.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jonah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - Jonah contrasts the joy and comfort arising from the thought of God with the miserable fate of idolaters. <span class="cmt_word">They that observe</span> (<a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Psalm 31:6</a>); court, pay deference to, reverence. <span class="cmt_word">Lying vanities;</span> Septuagint, <span class="greek">μάταια καὶ ψευδῆ</span>, "vain things and false." Idom (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15</a>; <a href="/hosea/12-11.htm">Hosea 12:11</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Their own mercy;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> their state of favour with God - the mercy shown to them, as "the mercies of [shown to] David" (<a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a>); or God himself, the Fountain of mercy and goodness (<a href="/psalms/144-2.htm">Psalm 144:2</a>). Henderson translates, "forsake their Benefactor." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jonah/2-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Those who cling to</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשַׁמְּרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šam·mə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">worthless</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֑וְא</span> <span class="translit">(šāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7723.htm">Strong's 7723: </a> </span><span class="str2">Evil, idolatry, uselessness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">idols</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(haḇ·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forsake</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲזֹֽבוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·zō·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[His] loving devotion.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַסְדָּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥas·dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">OT Prophets: Jonah 2:8 Those who regard lying vanities forsake their (Jon. 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