Why didn't Jonah just jump overboard himself?

Question

According to the book of Jonah, when he was asked what needed to be done to stop the storm he said they had to throw him over board into the sea. Why did he put the responsibility on them, the crew, and not just say I am the one, I need to jump over board to end the strom? Instead he seems to put the burden on the crew rathern than take care of the solution himself.

Answer 1

Good question!

First of all. . .in your question background. . .it was not mentioned that the crew (upon learning from Jonah himself about his refusal to heed G-d's command in going to Nineveh) made an attempt to turn back to dry land. . .so as to save everyone on board! Only then did they throw Jonah overboard. . .perhaps he could not do this himself because he could not believe his fate and needed others to cast him away to prove it needed to happen!

The character of Jonah is in many ways remarkable. . .he is a truly flawed and wilfull individual. . .which is why he continues to speak to all of us. . .and this book being the featured scroll for reading and study on the Hebrew holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Example: note the final chapter. . .Jonah continues to bicker and complain to G-d even AFTER arriving in Nineveh to do his work!

Answer 2

Perhaps for the same reason Cpl. Klinger could never shoot himself in the foot for his section 8 (his foot was too fast...). Maybe that boat just wouldn't move out from under his feet...

IE... Maybe Jonah was too frozen with fear to do the thing he KNEW would save everybody. Even though it was the right thing to do. He was, after all, only human.

Another idea: maybe he wasn't capable of propelling himself overboard far enough to avoid hitting the ship on his "landing". He may have needed extra help to avoid hitting the deck on the way down.

Just a thought.

Answer 3

have you ever had a bee sting you and the sting was still in your foot but you could not get it out because it hurt so bad so you had some one else get it out. or mabye a splinter? the point i'm trying to make is, Jonah had to jump but it was just to hard to do it even though he know it was the right thing to do. and i don't believe he was "putting" it on any one else. those men could have said " forget you man, jump your self" but they did not. They understood the scarifies he was making to save their lives. Also to anwser why he did not just turn him self in right away... jonah did not fully understand that he could not run from G^D. He was probleble hoping that the storm was just a fluk or mabye for some one else. but when they cast lots and he got the "short end of the deal" :) his eyes were open and he know then that G^D was no ones fool!!

Answer 4

Jonah was scared and didn't want to jump overboard because he was afraid of what would happen to him. Thus he just copped out and put the responsibility on other people

Answer 5

You try jumping overboard in the middle of the sea during a storm. See how easy it is.

Answer 6

i've read (a story of him, not in that book) that in the ship... each crew member will pick a stick and whoever picks the special stick has to jump out (i think). jonah was picked, but since jonah was such a pious man, they decided to choose again. then the stick chose jonah again... so they re-picked for a third time and it turned out to be jonah again. jonah realized that this was planned by God so he jumped out himself

Answer 7

These sort of verses makes the reading more interesting ! If it was mentioned as you said, the Oomph factor would have not been there - it is already a boring book to read !

Answer 8

You raise some good points in your question.

Answer 9

Very good Question.
Will have to Study.
Thanks.

Answer 10

Well, it depends..