Jonah 1:16 (KJV)

What does Jonah 1:16 mean?

Jonah 1:16 describes the sailors’ response to the LORD after the storm stopped. Their fear leads them to honor him with a sacrifice and vows. The verse shows a change from the desperate fear that had gripped them during the storm.

After the sea becomes calm in verse 15, the sailors’ attention turns to the LORD himself. Their sacrifice is an offering to him, and their vows are solemn promises made to him. The narrator describes their actions rather than reporting any words they say.

The Hebrew behind Jonah 1:16

• “feared” — יָרֵא (yareʾ): This word can express fear or reverence. Here, the sailors’ sacrifice and vows show that their fear takes the form of honoring the LORD.
• “made vows” — נָדַר (nadar): This word means to make a solemn promise. The wording points to promises addressed to the LORD, rather than agreements among the sailors.

Why Jonah 1:16 matters

• The sailors’ response is directed to the LORD by name. Earlier, each sailor had cried out to his own god during the storm (Jonah 1:5); now the verse names the LORD as the one they fear and honor.
• The sailors had already been afraid before the sea became calm. Jonah 1:10 says they were “exceedingly afraid” after hearing about Jonah’s flight from the LORD; verse 16 shows their response after they see what happens.
• The sacrifice and vows give the sailors’ fear a visible expression. “Offered a sacrifice” describes a gift presented to the LORD, while “made vows” describes promises spoken to him.