Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The original Hebrew word for "rowed hard" literally means "to dig," creating a powerful image of the sailors desperately "digging" through the waves like breaking down a wall, showing their intense effort to save Jonah, not just obeying him. This incredible exertion, however, was futile because the sea itself was raging against them, highlighting that their struggle wasn't just against the storm, but against God's direct opposition.
Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The sailors, after casting lots and discovering Jonah is the cause of the storm, are hesitant to throw him overboard. They make a desperate, powerful effort to row back to land, unwilling to spill blood, but the sea itself rages with even greater fury against them, showing that even their own strength and ingenuity are no match for God's power.
These sailors are in a life-or-death situation, yet their response isn't just panic. Something remarkable happens in their struggle.
The pagan sailors, facing a terrifying storm and the dire consequences of Jonah's disobedience, make a valiant effort to return to land. Their motive? Compassion.
Despite their incredible efforts, the sailors' strength and skill were no match for the sea. What does this tell us about who's really in control?
The sailors' struggle highlights a profound theological truth: human effort is ultimately powerless against God's sovereign will and power.
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The sailors' desperate, yet ultimately futile, efforts to row to land highlight their growing fear and respect for God's power, even as they are forced to obey His will through Jonah's sacrifice.
c. 8th Century BC
Possible Reign of King Jeroboam II
Jonah prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, a period of significant territorial expansion and prosperity for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, though internal religious corruption persisted.
c. 8th Century BC
Jonah's Commission
God calls Jonah, son of Amittai, to prophesy against the great city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire.
c. 8th Century BC
Jonah Flees to Joppa
Jonah deliberately disobeys God's command and flees to Joppa, a major port city, seeking passage on a ship to Tarshish, a distant Phoenician colony.
c. 8th Century BC
Great Storm at Sea
As the ship carrying Jonah sails, God sends a violent storm, causing the sailors immense distress and fear for their lives.
c. 8th Century BC
Lot Cast, Jonah Identified
The sailors cast lots to discover who is responsible for the calamity, and the lot falls upon Jonah, who confesses his disobedience to God.
c. 8th Century BC— this verse
Sailors' Efforts to Reach Land
Despite Jonah's confession and their fear, the sailors desperately row to bring the ship back to land, unwilling to cast him overboard.
c. 8th Century BC
Jonah Cast into the Sea
Unable to save themselves or the ship due to the raging storm, the sailors finally throw Jonah overboard, and he is swallowed by a great fish.
This passage describes God parting the Red Sea, demonstrating His power over natural forces, just as He controls the tempest in Jonah's story.
Job 38:8-11Here, God challenges Job about the sea's boundaries and His control over its powerful waves, mirroring the uncontrollable tempest that the sailors faced.
Psalm 107:23-30This psalm vividly recounts sailors caught in a storm, crying out to the Lord, and finding their tempest calmed by His command, directly paralleling the sailors' experience with Jonah.
Mark 4:35-41This New Testament account shows Jesus rebuking a fierce storm, highlighting divine authority over the elements and the disciples' fear, similar to the sailors' helplessness against the raging sea.
Proverbs 21:30This verse states that no wisdom or counsel can prevail against the Lord, explaining why the sailors' strenuous efforts to row back to land were ultimately futile against the divine will.
clarkeJonah 1:13: "Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them."
The men rowed hard - Were very unwilling to proceed to this extremity, and thought they would risk every thing rather than cast this disobedient prophet into the great deep.
calvinJonah 1:13-14: "Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them."
Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.
Et clamaverunt ad Jehovam, et dixerunt, Obsecro, Jehova, ne quaeso, pereamus propter animam viri hujus, et ne des super nos (hoc e…
The original Hebrew word for "rowed hard" literally means "to dig," creating a powerful image of the sailors desperately "digging" through the waves like breaking down a wall, showing their intense effort to save Jonah, not just obeying him. This incredible exertion, however, was futile because the sea itself was raging against them, highlighting that their struggle wasn't just against the storm, but against God's direct opposition.
The sailors, after casting lots and discovering Jonah is the cause of the storm, are hesitant to throw him overboard. They make a desperate, powerful effort to row back to land, unwilling to spill blood, but the sea itself rages with even greater fury against them, showing that even their own strength and ingenuity are no match for God's power.
The sailors, after casting lots and discovering Jonah is the cause of the storm, are hesitant to throw him overboard. They make a desperate, powerful effort to row back to land, unwilling to spill blood, but the sea itself rages with even greater fury against them, showing that even their own strength and ingenuity are no match for God's power.
"Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them." — The original Hebrew word for "rowed hard" literally means "to dig," creating a powerful image of the sailors desperately "digging" through the waves like breaking down a wall, showing their intense e…
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Last reviewed October 2026