King James Version

What Does Jonah 1:13 Mean?

Jonah 1:13 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous ag...” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. rowed: Heb. digged wrought: or, grew more and more tempestuous: Heb. went”

Jonah 1:13 · KJV

Context

11

Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. may: Heb. may be silent from us wrought: or, grew more and more tempestuous: Heb. went

12

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

13

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. rowed: Heb. digged wrought: or, grew more and more tempestuous: Heb. went

14

Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

15

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. ceased: Heb. stood

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. The sailors' response reveals extraordinary compassion—instead of immediately throwing Jonah overboard, they "rowed hard" (vayachteru ha'anashim, וַיַּחְתְּרוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים) to save both him and themselves. The verb chatar (חָתַר) means to row vigorously or dig—suggesting exhausting, desperate effort against impossible conditions.

This compassionate resistance to executing even a guilty man stands in stark moral contrast to Jonah's callous willingness to let 120,000 Ninevites perish (4:11). These pagan sailors display more mercy than God's prophet—a deliberate irony driving home the book's central message about divine compassion transcending ethnic boundaries. They row "to bring it to the land" (lehashiv el-hayabbashah, לְהָשִׁיב אֶל־הַיַּבָּשָׁה), attempting to reach shore where Jonah could disembark safely.

"But they could not" (velo yakholu) because "the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them" (ki hayam holek vesoer aleyhem, כִּי הַיָּם הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר עֲלֵיהֶם). The construction holek vesoer (הוֹלֵךְ וְסֹעֵר—"going and storming") indicates progressive intensification—the storm was escalating, not subsiding. The preposition al (against) personifies the sea as actively opposing their efforts. This demonstrates that human effort cannot thwart God's purposes. The sailors learned what Jonah should have known: you cannot outrow, outrun, or outwit the Almighty. Their compassionate attempt failed because God had appointed another means of deliverance—the great fish.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient maritime practice valued preserving life even of guilty parties when possible. Mediterranean sailors were experienced oarsmen, but wooden vessels had limited capacity against severe storms. Their willingness to exhaust themselves rowing against divine tempest shows remarkable moral character—these polytheistic pagans demonstrate covenant love (hesed) toward a Hebrew prophet who showed none toward Gentiles. The scene anticipates Christ's teaching that faith and righteousness sometimes appear more genuinely in unexpected people (Matthew 8:10, 21:31-32).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the pagan sailors' compassionate efforts expose Jonah's (and our) hard-heartedness toward enemies?
  2. What does this passage teach about the futility of resisting God's sovereign purposes?
  3. In what ways do unbelievers sometimes display greater moral character than professing believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּ1 of 12

“rowed hard”

H2864

to force a passage, as by burglary; figuratively, with oars

הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים2 of 12

“Nevertheless the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

לְהָשִׁ֛יב3 of 12

“to bring”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל4 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה5 of 12

“it to the land”

H3004

dry ground

וְלֹ֣א6 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָכֹ֑לוּ7 of 12

“but they could”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

כִּ֣י8 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַיָּ֔ם9 of 12

“not for the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הוֹלֵ֥ךְ10 of 12

“wrought”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְסֹעֵ֖ר11 of 12

“and was tempestuous”

H5590

to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃12 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jonah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jonah 1:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jonah 1:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 21:30Job 34:29

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