What does Jonah 2:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This condition made Jonah believe that God had turned His back on him (cf. Leviticus 21:7; Psalm 31:22). Nevertheless he determined to seek God in prayer (cf. Psalm 5:7). Looking toward God"s holy temple is a synonym for praying, the temple being the place of prayer in Israel. [source][source]

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"He felt he was cast out from the special regard and care which God exercises over His own. Now he realized how dire a thing it is to be apart from the presence of the Lord." ^[1] [source]

Context Summary

The great fish was probably a shark. He who sent the storm prepared the fish. Life is full of contrivances on the part of the great Lover of men. To plunge beneath the wave is to fall into His arms. More than once the body of a man has been found in the belly of a shark in the Mediterranean. Even those who hold that this story is an elaborate parable must admit that it is probably founded on such a fact. Our Lord's endorsement of this book and incident is very emphatic, Matthew 12:39-41.

The psalm which follows is very helpful to those who have brought themselves into the depths by their wrongdoing. God will hear such out of the depths of Sheol. When you think you are cast out of His sight forever, if you will look toward His holy temple, you will find that His love is gradually extricating you from the pit. To trust in your own efforts and expedients is to regard lying vanities and to forsake your own mercy. "Salvation is of the Lord." All nature waits upon His word. The big sharks and the tiny minnows are alike at the behest of God for the help of man. Only "look again" to God, and then be sure to pay your vows when delivered! [source]

Chapter Summary: Jonah 2

¹  The prayer of Jonah
¹⁰  He is delivered out of the belly of the fish