Bible Strands
Jonah 1:13
Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The sailors row their ship toward dry land while the storm intensifies, a direct response to Jonah’s instruction to cast him overboard.
The words — The Hebrew וַיַּחְתְּרוּ (va.yach.tə.ru) translates as "they rowed," paired with the negative יָכֹלוּ (ya.khō.lū) "they were able," which literally records their strenuous effort and its failure.
The thread — The futility of human action against divine sovereignty appears in Proverbs 21:30, which notes no counsel prevails against the LORD, and Job 34:29, which affirms His watch over creation.
Why it lands — The text reports that human striving cannot override God's control, requiring the reader to abandon self-reliant solutions and accept divine authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Job 34:29 But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,