📖 Jonah — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the LORD came unto RTJonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Jonah 1:2 Arise, go to RNineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up Rto flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah 1:4 But Rthe LORD Tsent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship Twas like to be broken.
Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and Rcried 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.
Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, RWhat meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
Jonah 1:7 And they said Revery 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.
Jonah 1:8 Then said they unto him, RTell 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 1:9 And he said unto them, RI am an Hebrew; and I fear Tthe LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
Jonah 1:10 Then Rwere the men Texceedingly 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.
Jonah 1:11 Then said they unto him, RWhat shall we do unto thee, that the sea Tmay be calm unto us? for the sea Twrought, and was tempestuous.
Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, RTake me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
Jonah 1:13 Nevertheless the men Trowed hard to bring it to the land; Rbut they could not: for the sea Twrought, and was tempestuous against them.
Jonah 1:14 Wherefore Rthey cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.
Jonah 1:15 So Rthey took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea Tceased from her raging.
Jonah 1:16 Then the men Rfeared the LORD exceedingly, and Toffered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.
Jonah 1:17 Now Rthe LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the Tbelly of the fish three days and three nights.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Jonah 1:1–6 — Jonah flees while a storm awakens the sailors
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Lord sends Jonah to Nineveh because its wickedness has come before him. Jonah instead travels toward Tarshish; a great storm brings fear, discarded cargo, and the captain’s appeal to the sleeping prophet.
Key Truth: Answer a clear call rather than fleeing its responsibility.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the ____ of Amittai, saying,” (Jonah 1:1)
Find it in Jonah 1:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But the ____ sent out a great wind into the sea, and there …” (Jonah 1:4)
Find it in Jonah 1:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “So the ____ came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, …” (Jonah 1:6)
Find it in Jonah 1:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jonah 1:7–12 — The flight is exposed and Jonah identifies the remedy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The lot falls on Jonah, who confesses the Lord as Maker of sea and dry land. His flight frightens the sailors, and he tells them to cast him into the sea because the storm has come for his sake.
Key Truth: Acknowledge the harm your choices bring to others.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this ____ is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot …” (Jonah 1:7)
Find it in Jonah 1:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, …” (Jonah 1:11)
Find it in Jonah 1:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the …” (Jonah 1:9)
Find it in Jonah 1:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jonah 1:13–17 — The sailors seek rescue and the Lord prepares a fish
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The sailors first row hard to reach land and pray before casting Jonah into the sea. The sea becomes calm, they fear the Lord and offer sacrifice, and a prepared great fish swallows Jonah for three days and nights.
Key Truth: Recognize mercy and respond with reverence.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; …” (Jonah 1:13)
Find it in Jonah 1:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “So they ____ up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and …” (Jonah 1:15)
Find it in Jonah 1:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Then the men feared the ____ exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made …” (Jonah 1:16)
Find it in Jonah 1:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Matthew 12:40 — Jesus refers to Jonah’s three days and nights in the great fish.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What responsibility are you tempted to avoid, and who is affected by that choice?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Jonah 1:1–6 (Jonah flees while a storm awakens the sailors) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Jonah 1:7–12 (The flight is exposed and Jonah identifies the remedy) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Jonah 1:13–17 (The sailors seek rescue and the Lord prepares a fish) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What do the sailors try before casting Jonah into the sea?
5. What change follows the calming of the sea?
Notes
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