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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 2:1 From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jonah/2-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/32_Jon_02_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jonah 2:1 - Jonah's Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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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/1-17.htm" title="Jonah 1:17">◄</a> Jonah 2:1 <a href="/jonah/2-2.htm" title="Jonah 2:2">►</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 />From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jonah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jonah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jonah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jonah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jonah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jonah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jonah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jonah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jonah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God from the stomach of the fish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jonah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jonah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jonah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jonah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed unto Jehovah his God out of the fish's belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jonah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jonah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jonah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jonah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />From deep inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jonah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br /> Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the sea creature. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jonah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jonah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jonah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God, out of the fish's belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jonah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jonah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, out of the fish’s belly. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jonah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jonah prays to his God YHWH from the bowels of the fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jonah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jonah prayeth unto Jehovah his God from the bowels of the fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jonah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jonah will pray to Jehovah his God from the bowels of the fish,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jonah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the fish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jonah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 2:2>And Jonah prayed to the Lord, his God, from the belly of the fish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jonah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God, from the belly of the fish: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jonah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jonah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THEN Jonah prayed before the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jonah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yonan prayed before LORD JEHOVAH God from the intestines of the fish<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jonah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jonah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the whale,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jonah/2-1.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=192" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4578.htm" title="4578: mim·mə·‘ê (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Internal organs, inward parts, belly. ">From inside</a> <a href="/hebrew/1710.htm" title="1710: had·dā·ḡāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A fish. Feminine of dag, and meaning the same.">the fish,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3124.htm" title="3124: yō·w·nāh (N-proper-ms) -- An Israelite. prophet. The same as yownah; Jonah, An Israelite.">Jonah</a> <a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: way·yiṯ·pal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">prayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">his God,</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.…<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/18-6.htm">Psalm 18:6</a></span><br />In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">Psalm 120:1</a></span><br />A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/130-1.htm">Psalm 130:1-2</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! / O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-4.htm">Psalm 34:4</a></span><br />I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Psalm 42:7</a></span><br />Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/116-1.htm">Psalm 116:1-2</a></span><br />I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. / Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/3-4.htm">Psalm 3:4</a></span><br />To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Psalm 88:1-2</a></span><br />A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You. / May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-1.htm">Psalm 69:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. / I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-1.htm">Psalm 77:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me. / In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-55.htm">Lamentations 3:55-56</a></span><br />I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-7.htm">2 Samuel 22:7</a></span><br />In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a></span><br />For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-30.htm">Luke 11:30</a></span><br />For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24-27</a></span><br />But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip. / David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. / Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,</p><p class="hdg">prayed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">2 Chronicles 33:11-13</a></b></br> Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Psalm 50:15</a></b></br> And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/91-15.htm">Psalm 91:15</a></b></br> He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I <i>will be</i> with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.</p><p class="hdg">out.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-15.htm">Job 13:15</a></b></br> Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/130-1.htm">Psalm 130:1,2</a></b></br> A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-53.htm">Lamentations 3:53-56</a></b></br> They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/jonah/1-6.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm">Prayeth</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Stomach</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/jonah/2-10.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/jonah/2-10.htm">Jonah</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/jonah/2-7.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/acts/9-11.htm">Prayeth</a> <a href="/micah/6-14.htm">Stomach</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>From inside the fish</b><br>Jonah's location inside the fish is significant both literally and symbolically. The "fish" is often understood as a great sea creature, possibly a whale or a large fish, as the Hebrew word "dag" can refer to any large aquatic animal. This setting underscores Jonah's dire situation and God's miraculous intervention. The fish represents a place of confinement and reflection, akin to a tomb, prefiguring Christ's burial and resurrection (<a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a>). The depths of the sea symbolize chaos and judgment, yet also God's provision and protection.<p><b>Jonah prayed</b><br>Prayer is a central theme in Jonah's story, highlighting the importance of turning to God in times of distress. Jonah's prayer is a model of repentance and reliance on God, reflecting the Psalms' style, particularly those of lament and thanksgiving. This act of prayer signifies a turning point for Jonah, moving from disobedience to seeking God's mercy. It emphasizes the power of prayer to transform situations and hearts, even in the most desperate circumstances.<p><b>to the LORD his God</b><br>The use of "LORD" (Yahweh) signifies the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Jonah acknowledges Yahweh as his personal God, despite his earlier rebellion. This phrase underscores the personal nature of Jonah's relationship with God, reminding readers of God's faithfulness and willingness to hear the prayers of His people. It also highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and mercy, as He remains Jonah's God even in his disobedience. This relationship is a precursor to the New Testament understanding of God as a personal Father through Jesus Christ.<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. His disobedience led to him being swallowed by a great fish.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fish.htm">The Fish</a></b><br>A divinely appointed creature that swallowed Jonah, serving as both a means of judgment and salvation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is sovereign over creation and merciful to those who repent.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/inside_the_fish.htm">Inside the Fish</a></b><br>The location where Jonah finds himself after being thrown overboard, symbolizing a place of confinement and reflection.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prayer.htm">Prayer</a></b><br>Jonah's response to his dire situation, indicating a turning back to God in repentance and supplication.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer_in_desperation.htm">The Power of Prayer in Desperation</a></b><br>Jonah's prayer from inside the fish teaches us that no situation is too dire for God to hear us. In our moments of desperation, turning to God in prayer is a powerful act of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_mercy.htm">God's Sovereignty and Mercy</a></b><br>The account of Jonah illustrates God's control over all creation and His willingness to extend mercy to those who repent. Even in judgment, God provides a path to redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Jonah's prayer signifies a heart of repentance. This teaches us the importance of acknowledging our disobedience and seeking God's forgiveness to restore our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_our_trials.htm">God's Presence in Our Trials</a></b><br>Just as God was with Jonah in the belly of the fish, He is with us in our trials. We can find comfort in knowing that God is present and attentive to our cries for help.<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/can_you_pray_in_every_location.htm">Can you pray in every location?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jonah_die_inside_the_fish.htm">Did Jonah die inside the fish?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_written_prayers.htm">Are written prayers supported by the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jonah_pray_inside_the_fish.htm">How did Jonah compose and recite his detailed prayer while trapped inside a fish? (Jonah 2:2, 9) </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>II.<p>JONAH'S PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Then Jonah prayed.--</span>This introduction, to what is in reality a psalm of thanksgiving, has its parallel in Hannah's song (<a href="/context/1_samuel/2-1.htm" title="And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in your salvation.">1Samuel 2:1-10</a>), which is introduced in the same way. Comp. also the Note appended by the psalm collector at the end of Psalms 72, "The <span class= "ital">prayers</span> of David the son of Jesse are ended."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jonah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-10.</span> - Part I. JONAH'S PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-9.</span> - 1<span class="accented">. Jonah, in the belly of the fish, offers a prayer of thanksgiving for his rescue from death by drowning, in which he sees a pledge of further deliverance.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then Jonah prayed.</span> These were his feelings when he sank in the waters and while he lay in his mysterious prison; he may have put them into their metrical form after his deliverance. The grammatical arrangement, and especially the language of ver. 7, seem to speak of a deliverance already experienced rather than of one expected. As this "prayer" does not suit an allegory, and as no cue but Jonah could have known its substance, we have here an argument for his authorship. It is rather a thanksgiving than a prayer - like that of Hennas (<a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">1 Samuel 2:1</a>). When he realizes that he was saved from drowning, he uttered his gratitude, and saw that he might hope for further rescue. How he passed the three days we cannot tell; some have thought he was unconscious; but thin is, perhaps, hardly consistent with the notice of his praying, and with the action of his great Antitype, who, during his sojourn in the unseen world, "preached to the spirits in prison" (<a href="/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19</a>). <span class="cmt_word">His God.</span> He acknowledges Jehovah as his God. He had proved himself his by inspiration, by chastisement, and now by mercy (Pusey). The following prayer contains ample reminiscences of the Psalms, which would be familiar to a devout Israelite. Those quoted are mostly what have been considered to belong to David's time. if their date is really ascertained. But it is a matter of controversy, incapable of settlement, whether Jonah or the psalmist is the original. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jonah/2-1.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">From inside</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמְּעֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mim·mə·‘ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4578.htm">Strong's 4578: </a> </span><span class="str2">The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fish</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּגָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḡāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1710.htm">Strong's 1710: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jonah</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3124.htm">Strong's 3124: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jonah -- an Israelite prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prayed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·pal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, to intercede, pray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah 2:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">OT Prophets: Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God (Jon. Jh) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jonah/1-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jonah 1:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jonah 1:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jonah/2-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jonah 2:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jonah 2:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>