What Does Jonah 1:16 Mean in the King James?
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew repeats the same root in “feared a great fear,” “sacrificed a sacrifice,” and “vowed vows,” making the sailors’ awe visible in what they do.
THE MEANING
Awe of the LORD gathers fear into recognition; an offering and vows turn that response toward God. Reverence takes visible shape in what is offered and pledged.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the idea that awe of God is only a private feeling or a claim someone can make; here, awe becomes legible in a person’s response.
THE ROOT
וַיִּירְאוּ יִרְאָה גְדוֹלָה
wayyir’u yir’ah gedolah
GROWS FROM
ירא
To fear or stand in awe; when God is the one feared, the word carries awe.
The Hebrew says, literally, that they “feared a great fear,” repeating the root in verb and noun where English says “feared exceedingly.” Their awe is directed toward the LORD, and the repeated root gives that recognition weight.
ALSO GROWS
yare: To fear or stand in awe.
יָרֵא
The verb names the sailors’ response to the LORD.
yir’ah: Fear or awe.
יִרְאָה
The related noun echoes the verb in the Hebrew phrase “feared a great fear.”
nora’: Awe-inspiring or fearsome.
נוֹרָא
This related form describes what evokes awe, extending the root’s reach beyond the feeling itself.
וַיִּזְבְּחוּ־זֶבַח
wayyizbeḥu-zevaḥ
GROWS FROM
זבח
To slaughter or sacrifice.
“offered a sacrifice” in this verse is wayyizbeḥu-zevaḥ. The Hebrew pairs the verb and its object from the same root: they “sacrificed a sacrifice.” The repetition makes the act concrete and echoes the verse’s other repeated-root phrases.
ALSO GROWS
zavaḥ: To sacrifice.
זָבַח
This verb describes the sailors’ act.
zevaḥ: A sacrifice.
זֶבַח
This noun names what they offer, repeating the verb’s root.
mizbēaḥ: Altar.
מִזְבֵּחַ
The altar’s name comes from the same root, linking the place of sacrifice to the act.
וַיִּדְּרוּ נְדָרִים
wayyidderu nedarim
GROWS FROM
נדר
To make a vow or pledge.
“made vows” in this verse is wayyidderu nedarim. The Hebrew says they “vowed vows,” repeating the root in verb and noun. Alongside “sacrificed a sacrifice,” this makes their response a sequence of deliberate acts, not just a passing feeling.
ALSO GROWS
nadar: To vow or pledge.
נָדַר
This verb describes what the sailors do.
neder: A vow or pledge.
נֶדֶר
This noun names the commitment, sharing the verb’s root.
THE PATTERN
Awe of God becomes visible in concrete offerings and pledged response.
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.THE THREAD
And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.“I fear the LORD” uses the same ירא (yare) root that is intensified here as “feared ... exceedingly.” Jonah names that awe; the sailors’ sacrifice and vows make their response visible.
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