4But the Lord threw1:4 1Sm 18:11; 20:33; Is 22:17; Jr 22:26–28 a great wind onto the sea,1:4 Ps 107:25–28; 135:7 and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart.

5The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god.1:5 1Kg 18:26 They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load.1:5 Ac 27:18–19,38 Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel and had stretched out and fallen into a deep sleep.1:5 Gn 2:21; 15:12; Jdg 4:21; Dn 8:18; 10:9; 1Th 5:6

6The captain approached him and said, “What are you doing sound asleep? Get up! Call to your god.1:6 Or God1:6 Ps 107:28 Maybe this god will consider us,1:6 2Sm 12:22; Am 5:15; Jnh 3:9 and we won’t perish.”

7“Come on!” the sailors said to each other. “Let’s cast lots.1:7 Jos 7:14–18; 1Sm 10:20–21; 14:41–42; Pr 16:33; Ac 1:23–26 Then we’ll know who is to blame for this trouble we’re in.” So they cast lots, and the lot singled out Jonah.1:7 Nm 32:23; Pr 16:33

8Then they said to him, “Tell us who is to blame for this trouble we’re in.1:8 Jos 7:19; 1Sm 14:43 What is your business,1:8 Gn 47:3; 1Sm 30:13 and where are you from? What is your country, and what people are you from?”

9He answered them, “I’m a Hebrew.1:9 Gn 14:13; 39:14; Ex 1:15; 2:13; 1Sm 4:6 I worship1:9 Or fear the Lord,1:9 2Kg 17:25,28,32–33 the God of the heavens,1:9 Gn 24:3,7; Ezr 1:2; Neh 1:4; Ps 136:26; Dn 2:18 who made the sea1:9 Neh 9:6; Ps 95:5; 146:6 and the dry land.”

10Then the men were seized by a great fear and said to him, “What have you done?” The men knew he was fleeing from the Lord’s presence1:10 Jnh 1:3 because he had told them.

11So they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?” For the sea was getting worse and worse.

12He answered them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that it will calm down for you, for I know that I’m to blame1:12 2Sm 24:17; 1Ch 21:17 for this great storm that is against you.”

13Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they couldn’t because the sea was raging against them more and more.

14So they called out to the Lord,1:14 Ps 107:28 “Please, Lord, don’t let us perish because of this man’s life, and don’t charge us with innocent blood! For you, Lord, have done just as you pleased.”1:14 Ps 51:18; 115:3; 135:6; Pr 21:1; Is 55:11; Lm 3:37–39; Dn 4:34–35; Mt 11:25

15Then they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.1:15 Ps 65:7; 93:3–4; 107:29

16The men were seized by great fear of the Lord,1:16 Is 59:19; Mc 7:17; Zph 2:11; Mal 1:14; Lk 8:22–25 and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.1:16 Ps 50:14; 66:13–14; 76:11; 116:17–18

17The Lord appointed a great fish1:17 Gn 9:2; Nm 11:22; 1Kg 4:33; Ps 8:8 to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.1:17 Mt 12:40; 16:4; Lk 11:29–30; Jn 11:6,14