1:14a

So they cried out to the LORD: This is the first time the sailors prayed to the LORD, the true God, instead of to their own gods.

1:14b

Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life: When the sailors became sure that they could not save themselves, they decided that they must kill Jonah by throwing him into the sea. However, they wanted to make sure that the LORD would not punish them for killing Jonah, so they asked to be forgiven even before doing it.

Please: This translates a word in Hebrew which indicates that what follows is a plea or entreaty. It is sometimes translated in older English translations as “we beseech you.” If there is a word or phrase in your language which is used in a situation where someone is begging another person to do something for them, you can use it here.

1:14c

Do not charge us with innocent blood: The Good News Translation does not translate the word innocent. Instead, it combines this sentence with 1:14b, since it considers 1:14b–c as a doublet. However, most other English versions make a difference between 1:14b and 1:14c, and it is recommended that you do so too.

There are two ways to understand this statement:

(1) The sailors were saying that there was a slight chance that Jonah might be innocent.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, King James Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible Revised Standard Version).

(2) The sailors were saying that Jonah was guilty.

(New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004))

Although option 2 makes some sense in the context (since Jonah had admitted his guilt), most major commentaries and English versions support the first interpretation (1). It is recommended that you follow the first option too and translate this part of the verse in a way that makes it clear that the sailors still thought that Jonah might be innocent.

1:14d

For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased: In the sailors’ minds, the LORD was responsible for the whole situation. He had sent the storm and he had indicated through the casting of lots that Jonah was the guilty party. Therefore he was also responsible for them needing to throw Jonah overboard. Therefore they asked the LORD not to blame them for Jonah’s death.

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