Jonah 1:6

the shipmaster Lit., the chief of the sailors, i. e. the captain. The word here for sailors(which is singular and used collectively) is not the same word as that rendered marinersin Jonah 1:5. It is formed from the Hebrew word for a rope, and means properly those who handle the ropes. Both words occur again (and it is the only other place in the O.T. where either of them is found) in the description of the maritime greatness of Tyre in Ezekiel 27. The word used in this verse is there rendered in Ezekiel 27:8; Ezekiel 27:27; Ezekiel 27:29, pilots, and the mention of their wisdom in Jonah 1:8 has been thought to justify this distinction. It should be observed, however, that the contrast there is between mere rowers(for so, and not mariners, the other word in that verse should be rendered) who were hired from Sidon and Arvad, and skilled sailors, who were the product of Tyre herself. The word rendered marinersin Jonah 1:5 of this chapter and in Ezekiel 27:9; Ezekiel 27:27; Ezekiel 27:29, appears to be a more general word, including all seafaring persons. The Hebrews, not being a maritime nation, make but little use of nautical terms. We have in addition to the words just mentioned the expressions, "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea" (lit., "men of ships, knowing the sea"), 1 Kings 9:27 (comp. 2 Chronicles 8:18); "They that go down to the sea in ships," Psalms 107:23, or simply, "They that go down to the sea," Isaiah 42:10.

What meanest thou, O sleeper?] Lit., What (is there) to thee, sleeping? i.e. What reason hast thou for sleeping? The A.V. and R. V. apparently take the participle "sleeping" as a vocative, "O sleeper?" What meanest thou by sleeping!would perhaps be the best translation. It is an exclamation of indignant surprise at the unreasonableness of Jonah's conduct. The word for sleep here and in Jonah 1:5 means heavy or deep sleep, such as Adam's (Genesis 2:21), or Sisera's (Judges 4:21). LXX. τί σ ὺ ῥ έγχεις ;

God This abstract use of the word (lit., " the God ") immediately after "thyGod" in this verse, and the mention in Jonah 1:6 that the mariners "cried every man unto hisgod," is remarkable. It would seem to imply, as Calvin argues, that behind and above the many gods whom the heathen invented for themselves, they retained the idea, vague perhaps and indistinct for the most part, but starting into prominence in times of danger and distress such as this, of one supreme God by whose providence the world is governed, and in whose hand are the life and safety of all men.

will think upon us Some would render, "will brighten, or shine upon us," i.e. will be propitious or favourable to us; but there seems no reason to depart from the A.V., which the R.V. retains.