Jonah 1:13
New International Version
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.

New Living Translation
Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.

New King James Version
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.

New American Standard Bible
However, the men rowed desperately to return to land, but they could not, because the sea was becoming even stormier against them.

NASB 1995
However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them.

NASB 1977
However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them.

Legacy Standard Bible
However, the men rowed desperately to return to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy against them.

Amplified Bible
Nevertheless, the men rowed hard [breaking through the waves] to return to land, but they could not, because the sea became even more violent [surging higher] against them.

Christian Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they couldn’t because the sea was raging against them more and more.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they couldn’t because the sea was raging against them more and more.

American Standard Version
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not: for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.

Contemporary English Version
The sailors tried their best to row to the shore. But they could not do it, and the storm kept getting worse every minute.

English Revised Version
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not: for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Instead, the men tried to row harder to get the ship back to shore, but they couldn't do it. The storm was getting worse.

Good News Translation
Instead, the sailors tried to get the ship to shore, rowing with all their might. But the storm was becoming worse and worse, and they got nowhere.

International Standard Version
Even so, the crewmen rowed hard to bring the ship toward dry land, but they were unsuccessful, because the sea was growing more and more stormy.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Instead, they tried to row back to land, but they were not able to do so because the storm kept growing worse and worse.

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.

World English Bible
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men row to turn back to the dry land, and are not able, for the sea is more and more turbulent against them.

Young's Literal Translation
And the men row to turn back unto the dry land, and are not able, for the sea is more and more tempestuous against them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men will break through to turn back to the dry land, and they will not be able, for the sea went and tossed about against them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the men rowed hard to return to land, but they were not able: because the sea tossed and swelled upon them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the men were rowing, so as to return to dry land, but they did not succeed. For the sea flowed and swelled against them.

New American Bible
Still the men rowed hard to return to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy.

New Revised Standard Version
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to the land; but they could not; for the sea became more tempestuous against them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And those men fought to return to dry land, and they were not able, because the sea was moving and was violent against them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not; for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men tried hard to return to the land, and were not able: for the sea rose and grew more and more tempestuous against them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonah Cast Into the Sea and Swallowed
12“Pick me up,” he answered, “and cast me into the sea, so it may quiet down for you. For I know that I am to blame for this violent storm that has come upon you.” 13Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more. 14So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.”…

Cross References
Mark 4:37-41
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. / But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” / Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. ...

Matthew 8:24-27
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “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. ...

Acts 27:13-44
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete. / But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island. / Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along. ...

Psalm 107:23-30
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ...

Luke 8:22-25
One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So He got into a boat with them and set out. / As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. ...

Exodus 14:12-16
Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” / But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ...

Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.

Jeremiah 2:25
You should have kept your feet from going bare and your throat from being thirsty. But you said, ‘It is hopeless! For I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’

Job 9:8
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Psalm 65:7
You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.

Psalm 89:9
You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Psalm 93:3-4
The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. / Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Isaiah 33:23
Your ropes are slack; they cannot secure the mast or spread the sail. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided, and even the lame will carry off plunder.


Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea worked, and was tempestuous against them.

Nevertheless the.

rowed.

Job 34:29
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

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Jonah 1
1. Jonah, sent to Nineveh, flees to Tarshish.
4. He is betrayed by a great storm;
11. thrown into the sea;
17. and swallowed by a fish.














Nevertheless, the men rowed hard
The word "nevertheless" indicates a contrast or a turning point in the narrative. Despite Jonah's admission of guilt and his suggestion to be thrown overboard, the sailors demonstrate a remarkable sense of compassion and determination. The Hebrew root for "rowed hard" (חָתַר, chathar) conveys the idea of digging or laboring intensely. This reflects the sailors' desperate efforts to save both themselves and Jonah, highlighting their humanity and moral integrity. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder of the innate desire to preserve life, even in the face of divine judgment.

to get back to dry land
The phrase "to get back to dry land" underscores the sailors' longing for safety and stability. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sea often symbolized chaos and danger, while dry land represented order and security. The sailors' efforts to return to land illustrate their hope to escape the perilous situation and restore normalcy. This desire for refuge is a universal human experience, echoing the spiritual journey of seeking God's peace amidst life's storms.

but they could not
The phrase "but they could not" signifies the futility of human effort against divine will. Despite their best efforts, the sailors are unable to overcome the forces of nature, which are under God's control. This highlights the sovereignty of God and the limitations of human strength. It serves as a humbling reminder that, ultimately, it is God who directs the course of events, and human endeavors are insufficient without His guidance and intervention.

for the sea was raging against them more and more
The description "the sea was raging against them more and more" paints a vivid picture of escalating chaos and danger. The Hebrew word for "raging" (סָעַר, sa'ar) conveys a sense of violent agitation and turmoil. This intensification of the storm reflects God's active involvement in the situation, emphasizing His power and authority over creation. It also serves as a metaphor for the consequences of disobedience and the urgency of aligning with God's will. The relentless fury of the sea mirrors the spiritual turmoil that ensues when one resists God's call, urging a return to faith and obedience.

(13) Rowed hard.--This is a sufficient rendering of the Hebrew verb, though it misses the metaphor. In every other instance of its use the word refers to the violence employed in breaking through a wall or enclosure. (See Ezekiel 8:8; Ezekiel 12:5; Ezekiel 12:7; Job 24:16; Amos 9:2; and compare the use of the derivative noun in Exodus 22:2; Jeremiah 2:34.) The figure of forcing the ship through the great wave wall is very striking. The Latin infindere sulcos and our ploughing the main are kindred metaphors. . . . Verse 13. - The generous sailors, however, are loth to execute this sentence on a prophet of the Lord, and make a supreme effort to reach the land, and thus obviate this severe alternative. Rowed hard; literally, digged (Job 24:16; Ezekiel 12:7); Septuagint, παρεβιάζοντο, "used violent efforts." They endeavoured to force their way through the waves with oars, as the use of sails was impracticable. The expression is like the classical phrases, infindere sulcos, scindere freta, arare aquas, and our "to plough the main." To the land; to get them back to land. The wind was off shore, and they had taken down the sails, and tried to row back to the harbour. Τοῦ ἐπιτρέψαι πρὸς τὴν γῆν, "to return to the land" (Septuagint). The sea wrought (see note on ver. 11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Nevertheless, the men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

rowed hard
וַיַּחְתְּר֣וּ (way·yaḥ·tə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2864: To force a, passage, as by burglary, with oars

to get back
לְהָשִׁ֛יב (lə·hā·šîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

dry land,
הַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה (hay·yab·bā·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3004: Dry land, dry ground

but they
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

could not,
יָכֹ֑לוּ (yā·ḵō·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the sea
הַיָּ֔ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

was raging
וְסֹעֵ֖ר (wə·sō·‘êr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5590: To rush upon, to toss

against
עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

them more and more.
הוֹלֵ֥ךְ (hō·w·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT Prophets: Jonah 1:13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get (Jon. Jh)
Jonah 1:12
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