The Pulpit Commentary — Jonah — Section 47

EXPOSITION. .OHAPTER II. acknowledges Jehovah ae bis God. He had proved himself bis by inspiration, by cl.ms- Vers. 1-10.-Part II. JoNAR's PBAYBB tisement, and now by mercy (Pnsey). The AND DELIVEBANOE, following prayer contains ample remini- scences of the Psalms, which would be Vers. 1-9.-§ I. Jonah, in the belly of familiar to a devout Israelite. Those the fish, offers a prayer of thanksgiving for quoted are mostly what have been con- his rescue from death by dr0toning, in which sidered to belo □ g to David's time, if their 116 sees a pledge of further delit1erance. date is really ascertained. But it is a matter of controversy, incapable of settle- Ver. 1.-Then J'onah prayed. These were ment, whether Jonah or the psalmist is the hie feelings when he sank in the waters and original. while he lay in hill mysterious prison ; he Ver. 2.-He introduces the prayer with may }1ave put them into their metrical form the fllct that be cried to God in distress and after bis deliverance. The grammatical was heard. By reason of mine affliction; arrangement, and especially the language better, out of my affliction. This mu.y be a of ver. 7, seem to epeuk of a deliverance reminiscence of Ps. cx.x. l or Ps. xv iii. 6; alree.dy experienced ,rather than of one but from such coincidences natl.ting can be expected. As this" prayer" does not suit establishetl concerning the date of the book. an u.llegory, o.nd o.s no one but Jonah could Like circumstances call forth like expres- have known its substance, we have here sions; and the writers may have composet:l. on argument for his authorship. It is them quite independently of one another. rather a thanksgiving than a prayer- Hell (Sheol). The unseen world (Ezek. mii. like that of Hannah (1 So.m, ii. 1). Wlien 21). He was 1\8 though dead when thus he realizes that he wo.s saved from drown- engulfed (comp. Ps. xviii. 5). Cried I (Ps. ing, be uttered bis gratitude, and saw that xxviii. 1, 2). Thou heard.est my voioe (Ps. he might hope for further rescue. How he oxx.x. l, 2). passed the three days we cannot tell; some Ver. 3.-He describes his danger and dis- have thought he was unconscious; but this tress. Thou hadst oast; rather, thou didst is, perhaps, hardly:coneistent with the notice cast, the sailors being tbo a"'en ts of the of his "praying," and with the action of his Divine will. Septuagint, &1rl,J{w/,cu, The great Antitype, who, during his sojourn in deep; /3d.8,i, "depths" (Septuagint); Exo,l. the unseen world, "prcuched to the spirits xv. 8. In the midst j literu.lly, in the hear!; in prison" (1 Pet. iii. 19). Ria God. He Sepluagiut, tcap5las 6a>..dua-,:,: Vulgt\to, i11  THE BOOK OF JON AH. [ctt, 11, 1-10,