King James Version

What Does Jonah 1:4 Mean?

Jonah 1:4 in the King James Version says “But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to...” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. sent out: Heb. cast forth was like: Heb. thought to be broken”

Jonah 1:4 · KJV

Context

2

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

3

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

4

But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. sent out: Heb. cast forth was like: Heb. thought to be broken

5

Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

6

So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken." This verse demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation. The Hebrew "sent out" (tul) means to hurl or throw—God actively hurls the wind. The "great wind" (ruach gedolah) and "mighty tempest" (sa'ar gadol) emphasize extraordinary intensity. This wasn't random weather but targeted divine intervention. The phrase "the ship was like to be broken" (ha'oniyah chishebah leshebor) means the vessel thought about breaking—Hebrew personification suggesting imminent destruction. This teaches that creation obeys God instantly and completely. Psalm 107:25 states: "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind." Jonah's flight didn't escape God's presence (Psalm 139:7-12)—God pursued him with a storm calculated to stop him and protect the sailors while judging His rebellious prophet.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Mediterranean seafaring was dangerous. Ships were relatively small wooden vessels vulnerable to storms. Sailors, typically polytheistic, would pray to various gods during storms. The book's irony: pagan sailors show more spiritual sensitivity than God's prophet. They pray, Jonah sleeps (v. 5). This pattern recurs—Gentiles often respond better to God's word than covenant people (Nineveh repents while Jonah rebels). Jesus referenced this (Matthew 12:41).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's control over natural events refute deistic notions of an uninvolved deity?
  2. What does Jonah's sleep during the storm reveal about spiritual complacency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַֽיהוָ֗ה1 of 13

“But the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הֵטִ֤יל2 of 13

“sent out”

H2904

to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out

רֽוּחַ3 of 13

“wind”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

גָּד֖וֹל4 of 13

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֶל5 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּיָּ֑ם6 of 13

“in 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

וַיְהִ֥י7 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

סַֽעַר8 of 13

“tempest”

H5591

a hurricane

גָּד֖וֹל9 of 13

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בַּיָּ֑ם10 of 13

“in 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

וְהָ֣אֳנִיָּ֔ה11 of 13

“so that the ship”

H591

a ship

חִשְּׁבָ֖ה12 of 13

“was like”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

לְהִשָּׁבֵֽר׃13 of 13

“to be broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

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 1:4 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 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 107:23-31Matthew 8:24-27Amos 4:13Exodus 10:19Psalms 135:7Exodus 14:21

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