Jonah 1:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They did not merely seize him and cast him into the depths, but amid such profound turmoil and distress, as if enveloped in solemn stillness, they convened a tribunal on the vessel, permitted him (Jonah) to speak, gave him the opportunity to defend himself, and scrutinized all details with great care, as though they were accountable for their verdict to a higher authority. Observe how they interrogated him in a manner reminiscent of a court trial: What is your occupation? From where do you come? Where are you headed? Of what nation and people are you? The sea had already accused him, voicing its grievances against him, and the lot had condemned him and testified against him—yet, despite the sea’s outcry and the lot’s declaration, they withheld their judgment.

After determining by lot who was responsible for their misfortune, the sailors, struggling to grasp the essence of Jonah's wrongdoing, expressed an unhelpful curiosity. As idolaters, they questioned him about his profession, the land from which he came, and his nationality, likely seeking to identify the deity he had offended; each sailor had his own god rather than acknowledging the one true God. They believed that by appeasing the deity that had been provoked by Jonah, they might avoid the dire consequences of the tempest. When the Prophet declared himself as a servant of the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, and professed his worship of Him, they understood that he had fled from God’s presence.

They questioned him, saying, "Explain to us the reason for this calamity that has befallen us. What is your occupation? From which country do you come? Where are you heading, and what nation do you belong to?" They pressed him to reveal why such a tempest had arisen or why the fierce anger of God was directed towards them. "Disclose to us," they insisted, "for whom this distress is upon us, what your profession is, the nation of your origin, and your destination." The succinctness of their inquiries brings to mind the words of Virgil, who asks, "What has prompted you, young men, to embark on an unfamiliar journey? What is your aim? Who are you? Where have you come from? Have you arrived in conflict or in tranquility?" They seek to uncover his identity, origin, intentions, and city in their quest to understand the reason for their misfortune.

They interrogated Jonah meticulously, seeking to discover the true reason behind the tempest. Thus, it was required of him to reveal not only his point of origin and destination but also his nationality, so that the customary practices of his people might shed light on his way of life. In response, the blessed Jonah stated:

Are you unaware that the voice of the Lord stirs the sea and guides the stars? Yet, anyone who turns away from God does so without purpose, for the Lord is the Sovereign of all creation, and those without faith stand in opposition to His design. Creation itself perceives the adversary of the Most High; in an instinctive fear of complicity in his wrongdoing, it will not allow the wayward soul to escape – instead, it will unleash winds and tempests upon him.

All these questions were directed at Jonah to determine the fairness of the lot. They inquired among other things about his profession. It was essential to ascertain if his work was not objectionable or if it held any unlawful nature that could provoke the Lord's wrath.