King James Version

What Does Jonah 2:6 Mean?

“I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. bottoms: Heb. cuttings off corruption: or, the pit”

Context

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. bottoms: Heb. cuttings off corruption: or, the pit

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Read full chapter →

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Bottoms of the mountains.—**Literally, *ends* or *cuttings off,* as, in margin. So the Vulg. *extrema montium.* Mountains were in the Hebrew conception the pillars of the world (see Job 9:6; Job 26:11), having their foundations firmly planted in the sea. These “hidden bases of the hills” were therefore the verge of the earth itself, and one lost among them would be close on the under-world of death. **The earth with her bars** . . .—Literally, *the earth her bars behind me for ever; i.e.,* the earth’s gates were closed upon me for ever, there was no possibility of return. The metaphor of a gateway to *sheôl* is common (Isaiah 38:10, &c.), but the earth is nowhere else said to be so guarded. Ewald therefore proposes to read *sheôl* here. But it is quite as natural to imagine a guarded passage out of the land of the living as into the land of the dead. **Corruption.—**Rather, *pit.* (See Note, Psalm 16:10.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 2:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.