Definition: Then 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Jonah 1:5. It’s a really important story about faith and obedience! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jonah was being told to go to Nineveh, but he refused to obey. Here’s a breakdown of the key parts: “Then the mariners were afraid…” : This describes the situation – people were worried and panicked. They were likely concerned about the ship's safety or the consequences of Jonah’s actions. “…and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea…” : This is the core of the story. Jonah was instructed to leave the ship and go down into the water where the cargo (goods) were stored. He was told to throw everything out of the ship. “…to lighten [it] of them.” : This is a tricky part. "Lighten it" means to make it less heavy. Jonah was being asked to reduce the amount of cargo on the ship, essentially making it lighter. Now, here’s the important part – Jonah's refusal: “But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.” : Jonah completely ignored his instructions. He stayed in the water, hidden beneath the ship. The Meaning & Why it Matters This verse is a key point in understanding Jonah’s story. It highlights several important themes: God's Sovereignty: God is in control and has ultimate authority. He doesn’t give in to human disobedience. Responsibility: Jonah was given a task, and he chose to ignore it. This shows the importance of obeying God’s commands, even when it’s difficult. In short, this verse tells us that even when we disobey what we're told, God will ultimately work things out for good. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of the story in more detail? Give you some context about Jonah’s situation before he disobeyed?