King James Version

What Does Jonah 1:8 Mean?

Jonah 1:8 in the King James Version says “Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and when...” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Jonah 1:8 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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?

9

And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. the LORD: or, JEHOVAH

10

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. exceedingly: Heb. with great fear

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sailors interrogate Jonah: "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?" They ask five questions seeking to understand this mysterious passenger who caused their crisis. Their approach is reasonable and measured—not violent but inquisitive. Verse 9's response is crucial: "And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land." Jonah's confession is theologically sound: he worships Yahweh, Creator of sea and land. The irony: his theology is orthodox, his behavior completely contradicts it. He claims to "fear" (yare') the LORD yet flees His command. This exposes the danger of correct doctrine with disobedient heart—orthodox theology doesn't save apart from genuine submission.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jonah identifies as Hebrew ('Ibri), the ethnic term used when speaking to foreigners. His confession that Yahweh created sea and land directly challenges pagan polytheism—if one God made everything, other gods are false. The sailors' terrified response (v. 10) shows they understand implications: this universal Creator-God is pursuing His prophet, and they're caught in the middle. The scene demonstrates effective witness requires consistency between profession and practice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes claim to fear God while actively disobeying Him?
  2. What does it mean that orthodox theology without obedience condemns rather than saves?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ1 of 20

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֔יו2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגִּידָה3 of 20

“they unto him Tell”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

נָּ֣א4 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לָ֔נוּ5 of 20
H0
בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר6 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְמִי7 of 20
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הָרָעָ֥ה8 of 20

“us we pray thee for whose cause this evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֹּ֖את9 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לָ֑נוּ10 of 20
H0
מַה11 of 20
H4100

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

מְּלַאכְתְּךָ֙12 of 20

“is upon us What is thine occupation”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

וּמֵאַ֣יִן13 of 20

“and whence”

H370

where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)

תָּב֔וֹא14 of 20

“comest”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מָ֣ה15 of 20
H4100

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

אַרְצֶ֔ךָ16 of 20

“thou what is thy country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְאֵֽי17 of 20
H335

where? hence how?

מִזֶּ֥ה18 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עַ֖ם19 of 20

“and of what people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָֽתָּה׃20 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

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 1:8 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 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 47:31 Samuel 30:13James 5:16Joshua 7:191 Samuel 14:43

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