1.
Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
Then = And See note on Jonah 2:10 .
the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
belly = bowels. Compare Jonah 1:17 .
Note the Figure of speech Exergasia ( App-6 ), as shown by the Alternation in Jonah 2:2 .
2.
And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
cried = cried out. Not the same word as in the next clause, or in Jonah 1:5 ; but the same as in Jonah 1:2 , Jonah 1:5 , Jonah 1:14 .
heard = answered. Hebrew. anah . Not the same word as in the next clause.
hell. Hebrew. Sheol . App-35 . Compare Psalms 18:5 ; Psalms 116:3 .
cried = cried for help in distress. Not the same word as in preceding clause, or in Jonah 1:2 , Jonah 1:5 , Jonah 1:14 .
heardest = gavest heed to. Hebrew. shama . Not the same word as in preceding clause.
hadst cast = castedst, or didst cast.
midst = heart.
floods: or, tides. Hebrew. nahar, (Singular.)
all Thy billows , &c. Compare Psalms 42:7 .
3.
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
4.
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
Then said, &c. Compare Psa 81:22
toward, &c. Compare 1 Kings 8:38 .
holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .
5.
The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
waters. Compare Psalms 69:1 .
soul. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 .
depth = an abyss.
weeds = floating sea-weeds.
6.
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 = roots.
the earth, &c = as for the earth, her bars, &c. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Syriac, read "and as to the earth".
was. Substitute "were".
for ever. The thought of a drowning man.
brought = didst bring.
corruption = the pit or grave, the place of corruption. Hebrew shachath,
7.
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
fainted = swooned, or became unconscious to all else. Compare Psalms 77:3 .Lamentations 2:12 , From 'ataph, to cover or involve in darkness.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. (with 'eth) = Jehovah Him-self. App-4 .
8.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
observe = regard, or heed.
lying = empty.
forsake their own mercy = do not heed their chastisement.
forsake = not to heed. Hebrew. 'azab. Compare Genesis 2:24 .
mercy. Hebrew. hesed. A homonym, with two meanings: (1) lovingkindness, as in Gen 24:12 . 2 Samuel 7:15 . 1 Chronicles 19:2 . 2 Chronicles 6:14 .Psalms 103:4 , Psalms 103:8 , Psalms 103:11 , Psalms 103:17 , &c.; (2) correction, or chastisement (Leviticus 20:17 , a wicked thing bringing down punishment). Job 37:13 (mercy = chastisement, synonymous with "correction" in preceding clause (margin rod)). Proverbs 25:10 (put to shame: i.e. by correction)
9.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
Salvation is of = Salvation (belongeth] to: as in Psalms 3:8 . The prayer (verses: Jonah 2:2-9 ).
of = to.
10.
And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
And, &c. Jonah's rapid thought and words before he died were subsequently written down by him; for all the verbs are in the past tense, not the present. Compare Jonah 2:6 , "didst bring", &c. See notes on p. 1247.