Jonah 2

2 hell. Heb., “Sheol”; the place of the dead; here used metaphorically, to denote the prophet’s desperate condition.

3. In the midst [heart] of the seas. Cp. “heart of the earth,” Matt. xii. 40.

4 out of Thy sight. That is, from Thy notice and care. He who had attempted to flee from God’s presence now feels how necessary to his life and happiness is the compassionate regard of that Divine Providence which watches over all.

5 to the soul. The seat of physical life.

The weeds were wrapped about my head. In his struggles before he was swallowed by the fish.

6 the bottoms of the mountains. Lit., “cuttings off of the mountains,” where the mountains ended, or were cut off, in the depths of the sea.

corruption. Heb., “the pit.”

8 lying vanities. Idol gods. See note on Psa. xxxi. 6.

their own mercy. God, the source of mercy. In Psa. exliv. 2, “my goodness” is expressed in Heb. by the same word.

9. Salvation. This deliverance, type of a greater.

10 upon the dry land. Probably in the neighbourhood of Joppa.