> [[jonah-01|← Previous]] | [[jonah-00|TOC]] | [[jonah-03|Next →]] --- # Jonah, Chapter 2 ## Chapter 2 **Jonah’s Prayer.** 1 But the LORD sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. ^jonah-02-1 2 Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God, from the belly of the fish: ^jonah-02-2 3 Out of my distress I called to the LORD, ^jonah-02-3 and he answered me; From the womb of Sheol I cried for help, and you heard my voice. 4 You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, ^jonah-02-4 and the flood enveloped me; All your breakers and your billows passed over me. 5 Then I said, “I am banished from your sight! ^jonah-02-5 How will I again look upon your holy temple?” 6 The waters surged around me up to my neck; ^jonah-02-6 the deep enveloped me; seaweed wrapped around my head. 7 I went down to the roots of the mountains; ^jonah-02-7 to the land whose bars closed behind me forever, But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD, my God. 8 When I became faint, ^jonah-02-8 I remembered the LORD; My prayer came to you in your holy temple. 9 Those who worship worthless idols ^jonah-02-9 abandon their hope for mercy. 10 But I, with thankful voice, ^jonah-02-10 will sacrifice to you; What I have vowed I will pay: deliverance is from the LORD. 11 Then the LORD commanded the fish to vomit Jonah upon dry land. ^jonah-02-11 \* (2:3] – [10) These verses, which may have originally been an independent composition, are a typical example of a song of thanksgiving, a common psalm genre (e.g., [Ps 116]; [Is 38:9] – [20]). Such a song is relevant here, since Jonah has not drowned, and the imagery of vv. [4], [6] is appropriate. \* (2:3) Sheol: c.f. note on ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:6]. a. (2:1) ([[matthew-12|Mt 12]]:40]; [16:4]; ([[luke-11|Lk 11]]:30]; [1 Cor 15:4]. b. (2:3) ([[psalm-18|Ps 18]]:7]; [120:1]. c. (2:4) [Ps 42:8]. d. (2:5) [Ps 31:23]; [Is 38:11]. e. (2:6) ([[psalm-18|Ps 18]]:5]; [69:2]. f. (2:7) ([[psalm-16|Ps 16]]:10]; [30:4]. g. (2:8) ([[psalm-05|Ps 5]]:8]; [18:7]; [88:3]. h. (2:9) [Ps 31:7]. i. (2:10) [Ps 50:14]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[jonah-01|← Previous]] | [[jonah-00|TOC]] | [[jonah-03|Next →]]