CHAPTER II _This chapter (except the first verse and the last, which make_ _a part of the narrative) contains a beautiful prayer or hymn,_ _formed of those devout thoughts which Jonah had in the belly_ _of the great fish, with a thanksgiving for his miraculous_ _deliverance._ NOTES ON CHAP. II... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:2. _OUT OF THE BELLY OF HELL_] Among the Hebrews שאול _sheol_ means the _grave_, any _deep pit_, the _place of separate spirits_, c. Here the prophet represents himself as in the _bottom of the_ _sea_ for so _sheol_ must be understood in this place.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:3. _ALL THY BILLOWS AND THY WAVES PASSED OVER ME._] This may be understood _literally_; while the fish, in whose belly he was, sought its pleasure or sustenance in the paths of the deep, the waves and billows of the sea were rolling above. This line seems borrowed from Psalms 42:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:4. _I AM CAST OUT OF THY SIGHT_] See Psalms 31:22. _THY HOLY TEMPLE._] Then Jerusalem was not yet destroyed, for the _temple_ was standing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:5. _THE WATERS COMPASSED ME ABOUT_ EVEN _TO THE SOUL_] So as to seem to deprive me of life. I had no hope left. _THE WEEDS WERE WRAPPED ABOUT MY HEAD._] This may be understood literally also. He found himself in the fish's stomach, together with _sea weeds_, and such like marine subst... [ Continue Reading ]
VerseJonah 2:6. _I WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOMS OF THE MOUNTAINS_] This also may be literally understood. The fish followed the slanting base of the mountains, till they terminated in a plain at the bottom of the great deep. _THE EARTH WITH HER BARS_] He represents himself as a prisoner in a dungeon, c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:7. _WHEN MY SOUL FAINTED_] When I had given up all hope of life. _MY PRAYER CAME IN UNTO THEE_] Here prayer is _personified_, and is represented as a _messenger_ going from the _distressed_, and entering into the temple of God, and standing before him. This is a very fine and delicate... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:8. _THEY THAT OBSERVE LYING VANITIES_] They that trust in idols, follow _vain predictions_, permit themselves to be influenced with _foolish fears_, so as to induce them to _leave the path of_ _obvious duty, forsake their own mercy_. In leaving that God who is the _Fountain of mercy_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:9. _BUT I WILL SACRIFICE UNTO THEE_] I will make a sincere vow, which, as soon as my circumstances will permit, I will faithfully execute; and therefore he adds, "I will pay that which I have vowed." _SALVATION_ IS _OF THE LORD._] All _deliverance_ from _danger,_ _preservation_ of _li... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jonah 2:10. _AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO THE FISH_] That is, by his influence the fish swam to shore, and cast Jonah on the dry land. So the whole was a miracle from the beginning to the end; and we need not perplex ourselves to find out _literal_ interpretations; such as, "When Jonah was thrown... [ Continue Reading ]