Jonah 1 (KJV)

17 verses · King James Version · Formal equivalence (word-for-word)

The King James Version is the most influential English Bible translation in history. Commissioned by King James I and completed in 1611, it shaped the English language itself. Its majestic prose and formal accuracy make it beloved for memorization and liturgical use.

Jonah Chapter 1 contains 17 verses and is presented here in the King James Version (KJV), which uses a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach. This is the opening chapter of Jonah, one of the books of the Bible.

NIVESVNLTMSGNASB
Obadiah 1Chapter 2

1Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, <sup>Jonah: Gr. Jonas</sup>

2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

4But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. <sup>sent out: Heb. cast forth</sup> <sup>was like: Heb. thought to be broken</sup>

5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

6So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

7And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

8Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

9And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. <sup>the LORD: or, JEHOVAH</sup>

10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. <sup>exceedingly: Heb. with great fear</sup>

11Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. <sup>may: Heb. may be silent from us</sup> <sup>wrought: or, grew more and more tempestuous: Heb. went</sup>

12And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

13Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. <sup>rowed: Heb. digged</sup> <sup>wrought: or, grew more and more tempestuous: Heb. went</sup>

14Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

15So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. <sup>ceased: Heb. stood</sup>

16Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly , and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. <sup>offered: Heb. sacrifice unto the LORD, and vowed vows</sup>

17Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <sup>belly: Heb. bowels</sup>

Obadiah 1Read in NIVChapter 2

About This Translation

What is Jonah 1 in the KJV?

Jonah 1 in the King James Version (KJV) contains 17 verses. The KJV uses a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach, first published in 1611.

How does the KJV translate Jonah 1 differently?

The King James Version uses formal equivalence (word-for-word), preserving the classic English of 1611. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Jonah 1 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Jonah 1 (KJV)?

Jonah Chapter 1 contains 17 verses in the King James Version. The book of Jonah has 4 chapters total.

Jonah (KJV) — All 4 Chapters