Bible Strands
Jonah 2:10
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jonah speaks from inside the fish, declaring his vow of thanksgiving and sacrifice after recognizing that salvation originates from the LORD (Jonah 2:9). The narrative then shifts to the LORD commanding the fish to release Jonah onto dry land (Jonah 2:10).
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יָּקֵ֥א (va/i.ya.Ke') literally means "and it vomited up," describing the fish's expulsion of Jonah onto the dry land (הַ/יַּבָּשָֽׁה). This action directly follows the LORD's command (לַ/דָּ֑ג) to the fish, highlighting divine authority over natural processes.
The thread — This sequence of divine speech producing immediate physical results echoes the creative command in Genesis 1:3 and the sustaining word in Psalms 33:9. It also aligns with the New Testament account of Jesus rebuking the wind and sea at His word in Matthew 8:26.
Why it lands — The verse records a literal rescue where God's spoken command directly alters a biological function to fulfill His purpose. It requires the reader to acknowledge that deliverance operates through sovereign intervention rather than human strategy.
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
And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
Cross-references
- Matthew 8:26 “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.
- Psalms 33:9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
- Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
- Isaiah 50:2 Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
- Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.
- Genesis 1:7 So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so.
- Genesis 1:11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so.
- Psalms 105:31 He spoke, and insects swarmed—gnats throughout their country.
- Psalms 105:34 He spoke, and the locusts came—young locusts without number.