King James Version

What Does Jonah 1:6 Mean?

Jonah 1:6 in the King James Version says “So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that ...” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jonah 1:6 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

7

And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

8

Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"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." The pagan captain rebukes God's prophet—stunning role reversal. The question "What meanest thou, O sleeper?" expresses shock at Jonah's indifference. The command "arise, call upon thy God" assumes Jonah has special access to deity. The phrase "if so be that God will think upon us" (Hebrew 'ulay yit'asheth ha-'Elohim lanu) means "perhaps God will give us a thought"—desperate hope that Jonah's God might intervene. The irony is rich: pagans recognize the need for prayer; God's prophet must be commanded to pray. This teaches that external religion without internal devotion is worthless. Jesus condemned such hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient sailors, facing death, would exhaust all religious options. The captain's instruction to Jonah assumes that more gods prayed to increases survival chances. He doesn't yet know Jonah's God is the only true God or that Jonah is fleeing Him. The scene's irony would have shocked Jewish readers—their prophet worse than pagans. It still shocks: how often do nominal Christians show less spiritual concern than secular people show ethical concern?

Reflection Questions

  1. When have unbelievers had to rebuke you for spiritual indifference or hypocrisy?
  2. What does it mean that pagans sometimes display greater concern for others than professing believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּקְרַ֤ב1 of 19

“came”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֵלָיו֙2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רַ֣ב3 of 19

“So the shipmaster”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הַחֹבֵ֔ל4 of 19
H2259

a sailor

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר5 of 19

“to him and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֖וֹ6 of 19
H0
מַה7 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לְּךָ֣8 of 19
H0
נִרְדָּ֑ם9 of 19

“unto him What meanest thou O sleeper”

H7290

to stun, i.e., stupefy (with sleep or death)

ק֚וּם10 of 19

“arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

קְרָ֣א11 of 19

“call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל12 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים13 of 19

“if so be that God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אוּלַ֞י14 of 19
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יִתְעַשֵּׁ֧ת15 of 19

“will think”

H6245

probably to be sleek, i.e., glossy; hence (through the idea of polishing) to excogitate (as if forming in the mind)

הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים16 of 19

“if so be that God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לָ֖נוּ17 of 19
H0
וְלֹ֥א18 of 19
H3808

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

נֹאבֵֽד׃19 of 19

“upon us that we perish”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

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 1:6 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 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 107:28-29Jonah 3:9Mark 4:37-412 Samuel 12:22Ephesians 5:14Psalms 107:12-13

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