Useful Bible Studies > Jonah Commentary > chapter 1
Terrible storms at sea were a necessary part of most long sea journeys. In the ancient world, those storms destroyed many boats; and there was little hope for the travellers. Sailors did not expect to live long lives.
It was possible to row the boat in which Jonah travelled (1:13). However, the sailors would not row for long distances. Rather, the boat had sails; it sailed by the power of the wind. There is a splendid description of a similar boat in Ezekiel 27:3-9. It seems likely that Jonah’s boat, like the boat in that magnificent description, came from Tyre.
So, the captain of a boat needed to know what winds to expect on his journey. Strong wind in the right direction was best, because the boat would complete its journey quickly. Weak wind, or wind in the wrong direction, would delay or prevent the journey.
A storm was when wind, in any direction, became too strong for the boat. The first effect was that the boat would be difficult to control. The captain needed to direct it so that it did not strike against rocks. As the wind became stronger, it would damage the boat. The wind would tear the sails; it would break the mast (the pole that carried the sails). At the same time, the wind would cause great waves. The boat would fill with water; the sailors would struggle even to stand (Psalm 107:23-27).
Such a storm could happen very quickly. The sailors had to try desperately to save the boat. If the boat sank, they and everyone else on the boat would probably die.
Next part: Jonah sleeps during the storm (Jonah 1:5)
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© 2024, Keith Simons.