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NASB | Jonah 2:2 and he said, "I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Jonah 2:2 and said, "I called out of my trouble and distress to the LORD, And He answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol I cried for help, And You heard my voice. [Ps 120:1; 130:1; 142:1; Lam 3:55-58] |
Bible Question:
Dear forum, I don't know if I may be getting into some hot water by straying from some long held beliefs, but. I know it is commonly thought that Jonah did not die in the belly of the great fish, but In light of the verse (above) and others found in this chapter; doesn't this language infer that he did indeed die? As we also see in the verses below the language is seemingly pretty clear that he did die. After all, how could he be in 'Sheol' and not be dead? Also in Matt 12:40 Jesus says: "for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." And compare to Jonah 2:6 "I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, But You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. Anyway, I was just wondering what others may think about this. Personally I think it makes sense, and adds to the miraculous nature of the story of Jonah and how our Lord relates back to it as a sign that identifies it with His death and resurrection.. Just my two cents God bless John |
Bible Answer: Interesting question. I never thought about it, but may have to now.... The verse you quote however, has him crying out which doesn't fit with him being dead. Also, the sea, particularly the Mediterranean Sea in a storm, was seen as a place of death, chaos, and fear -- the Abyss. To referrer to it as Sheol would fit the historical context of Jonah’s day. Under the seas was a huge mystery, a frightening chaotic place where once you go under, you never return. For Jonah at the time, though still conscious, he presumed that once down there he was as good as dead and in Sheol, the place of death, already. But, that's my off the top of my head response. MJH |