Jonah 1:7 - Exposition

Finding the storm still violent, the crew come to the conclusion that it is sent by Heaven in punishment of some crime committed by one on board; and they proceed to cast lots to discover the guilty person. Jonah doubtless had meantime complied with the captain's request, but, as the sailors saw, without visible effect. The belief that temporal calamities are often connected with the presence of culprits, and are sent in judgment, is found in classical authors. Thus Plautus, 'Rudena,' 2:21—

" Pol minume miror, navis si fracta est tibi,

Scelus te et sceleste parta quae vexit bona ."

"Little I wonder if the ship is wrecked

Which carries thee and thy ill-gotten wealth."

The misfortune of the Israelites at Ai was consequent on the sin of Achan ( Joshua 7:1-26 ). Let us cast lots. Jerome says here, "The fugitive was taken by lot, not by virtue of the lots, especially of the lots of heathen men, but by the will of him who guided the uncertain lots." For whose cause; Septuagint, τίνος ἕνεκεν . The unusual nature of the tempest showed them that it was sent in judgment. Commentators cite the story of Diagoras told by Cicero ('De Nat. Deor.,' 3.37). The lot fell upon Jonah. , Proverbs 16:33 , "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord".