Jonah 2:4
Verse
Context
Sermons
J. Glyn Owen
William Ray
J.C. Philpot
St. John ChrysostomSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I am cast out of thy sight - See Psa 31:22. Thy holy temple - Then Jerusalem was not yet destroyed, for the temple was standing.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
cast out from thy sight--that is, from Thy favorable regard. A just retribution on one who had fled "from the presence of the Lord" (). Now that he has got his desire, he feels it to be his bitterest sorrow to be deprived of God's presence, which once he regarded as a burden, and from which he desired to escape. He had turned his back on God; so God turned His back on him, making his sin his punishment. toward thy holy temple--In the confidence of faith he anticipates yet to see the temple at Jerusalem, the appointed place of worship (), and there to render thanksgiving [HENDERSON]. Rather, I think, "Though cast out of Thy sight, I will still with the eye of faith once more look in prayer towards Thy temple at Jerusalem, whither, as Thy earthly throne, Thou hast desired Thy worshippers to direct their prayers."
John Gill Bible Commentary
The waters compassed me about, even to the soul,.... Either when he was first cast into the sea, which almost suffocated him, and just ready to take away his life, could not breathe for them, as is the case of a man drowning; or these were the waters the fish drew into its belly, in such large quantities, that they compassed him about, even to the endangering of his life there. So the Targum, "the waters surrounded me unto death.'' In this Jonah was a type of Christ in his afflictions and sorrows, which were so many and heavy, that he is said to be "exceeding sorrowful", or surrounded with sorrow, "even unto death", Mat 26:38; see also Psa 69:1; the depth closed me round about; the great deep, the waters of the sea, both when he fell into it, and while in the belly of the fish: thus also Christ his antitype came into deep waters, where there was no standing, and where floods of sin, and of ungodly men, and of divine wrath, overflowed him; see Psa 18:4; the weeds were wrapped about my head; the sea weeds, of which there are great quantities in it, which grow at the bottom of it, to which Jonah came, and from whence he rose up again, before swallowed by the fish; or these weeds were drawn into the belly of the fish, along with the water which it took in, and were wrapped about the head of the prophet as he lay there; or the fish went down with him into the bottom of the sea, and lay among those weeds; and so they may be said to be wrapped about him, he being there, as follows. The Targum is, "the sea of Suph being over my head;'' the same with the Red sea, which is so called, Psa 106:9; and elsewhere, and that from the weeds that were in it; and R. Japhet, as Aben Ezra observes, says the sea of Suph is mixed with the sea of Joppa; that is, as a learned man (e) observes, by means of the river Rhinocorura, through which the lake of Sirbon mingles with the great sea; and which lake itself is so called from the weeds in it; yea, was anciently called Suph, and the sea of Suph, or "mare Scirpeum", hence Sirbon: and the same writer thinks that the father of Andromede, said to be devoured by a whale about Joppa, had his name of Cepheus from hence. (e) Texelius, Phoenix, l. 3. c. 6. p. 242, 243, 244, 228, 229.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:4 On the brink of drowning, Jonah called out for help, for life, and for God’s renewed presence. It is ironic that Jonah spoke of God as driving Jonah from his presence, for that was Jonah’s own aim in fleeing to Tarshish (1:3). • I will look once more: Either Jonah was confident that he would be rescued and thus worship again in the Temple in Jerusalem, or he was calling to the Lord in his Temple from the sea (cp. 2:7).
Jonah 2:4
Jonah’s Prayer
3For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me. 4At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Prayer of a Drowning Runaway
By J. Glyn Owen1.7K52:01PrayerPSA 27:8JON 1:17JON 2:4MAT 7:7LUK 15:11In this sermon, the speaker discusses the events that took place both outside and inside the belly of the fish when Jonah was in the water. He acknowledges that there are uncertainties and that he cannot be dogmatic about the exact sequence of events. The sermon focuses on Jonah's realization of being banished from God's sight and his decision to turn back towards God's holy temple. The speaker draws parallels between Jonah's experience and the parable of the prodigal son, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's need for God and seeking His face.
Spiritual Sacrifices
By William Ray13958:15Spiritual SacrificesGratitude in Adversity2CH 5:13PSA 27:6PSA 51:17PSA 66:10PSA 126:2JON 2:4ROM 12:1PHP 4:41TH 5:181PE 5:10William Ray emphasizes the significance of offering spiritual sacrifices, particularly the sacrifice of praise and joy, as essential to fulfilling God's will. He illustrates this through biblical examples, such as Jonah's struggle with God's commands and the dedication of Solomon's temple, highlighting that true worship involves gratitude in all circumstances. Ray shares personal experiences of overcoming hostility towards God and the transformative power of thanksgiving, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with Him. He encourages believers to rejoice always and to offer their lives as living sacrifices, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness.
The Cry of Jonah Out of the Belly of Hell
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 139:8ISA 66:1JON 2:4MAT 23:21JHN 2:191CO 10:112CO 4:18COL 2:9HEB 12:21PE 1:7J.C. Philpot preaches about the struggles and faith of Jonah, highlighting the mercy of God in portraying imperfect saints in the Scriptures, such as Noah, Lot, and David, to teach us about salvation by grace and provide warnings against sin. Philpot delves into Jonah's disobedience, despair, and eventual faith in looking towards God's holy temple, symbolizing the human nature of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of faith in times of distress, the rarity of true spiritual experiences, and the discernment God grants to His people to distinguish between genuine faith and deceitful religious practices.
Homily 20 on the Statues
By St. John Chrysostom0PRO 27:1JON 2:4MAT 5:23MAT 6:14LUK 11:32EPH 4:261PE 4:8John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of holiness over mere fasting during Lent, highlighting the need for genuine repentance and transformation to partake in the Communion with a clear conscience. He stresses the detrimental effects of harboring resentment and the necessity of reconciliation with others before approaching the sacred Table. Chrysostom warns against the dangers of entertaining anger and the severe consequences of failing to forgive, urging believers to prioritize reconciliation and forgiveness as a reflection of God's mercy and grace.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I am cast out of thy sight - See Psa 31:22. Thy holy temple - Then Jerusalem was not yet destroyed, for the temple was standing.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
cast out from thy sight--that is, from Thy favorable regard. A just retribution on one who had fled "from the presence of the Lord" (). Now that he has got his desire, he feels it to be his bitterest sorrow to be deprived of God's presence, which once he regarded as a burden, and from which he desired to escape. He had turned his back on God; so God turned His back on him, making his sin his punishment. toward thy holy temple--In the confidence of faith he anticipates yet to see the temple at Jerusalem, the appointed place of worship (), and there to render thanksgiving [HENDERSON]. Rather, I think, "Though cast out of Thy sight, I will still with the eye of faith once more look in prayer towards Thy temple at Jerusalem, whither, as Thy earthly throne, Thou hast desired Thy worshippers to direct their prayers."
John Gill Bible Commentary
The waters compassed me about, even to the soul,.... Either when he was first cast into the sea, which almost suffocated him, and just ready to take away his life, could not breathe for them, as is the case of a man drowning; or these were the waters the fish drew into its belly, in such large quantities, that they compassed him about, even to the endangering of his life there. So the Targum, "the waters surrounded me unto death.'' In this Jonah was a type of Christ in his afflictions and sorrows, which were so many and heavy, that he is said to be "exceeding sorrowful", or surrounded with sorrow, "even unto death", Mat 26:38; see also Psa 69:1; the depth closed me round about; the great deep, the waters of the sea, both when he fell into it, and while in the belly of the fish: thus also Christ his antitype came into deep waters, where there was no standing, and where floods of sin, and of ungodly men, and of divine wrath, overflowed him; see Psa 18:4; the weeds were wrapped about my head; the sea weeds, of which there are great quantities in it, which grow at the bottom of it, to which Jonah came, and from whence he rose up again, before swallowed by the fish; or these weeds were drawn into the belly of the fish, along with the water which it took in, and were wrapped about the head of the prophet as he lay there; or the fish went down with him into the bottom of the sea, and lay among those weeds; and so they may be said to be wrapped about him, he being there, as follows. The Targum is, "the sea of Suph being over my head;'' the same with the Red sea, which is so called, Psa 106:9; and elsewhere, and that from the weeds that were in it; and R. Japhet, as Aben Ezra observes, says the sea of Suph is mixed with the sea of Joppa; that is, as a learned man (e) observes, by means of the river Rhinocorura, through which the lake of Sirbon mingles with the great sea; and which lake itself is so called from the weeds in it; yea, was anciently called Suph, and the sea of Suph, or "mare Scirpeum", hence Sirbon: and the same writer thinks that the father of Andromede, said to be devoured by a whale about Joppa, had his name of Cepheus from hence. (e) Texelius, Phoenix, l. 3. c. 6. p. 242, 243, 244, 228, 229.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:4 On the brink of drowning, Jonah called out for help, for life, and for God’s renewed presence. It is ironic that Jonah spoke of God as driving Jonah from his presence, for that was Jonah’s own aim in fleeing to Tarshish (1:3). • I will look once more: Either Jonah was confident that he would be rescued and thus worship again in the Temple in Jerusalem, or he was calling to the Lord in his Temple from the sea (cp. 2:7).