יונה, פרק א׳, פסוק י״א

The storm at sea reaches a point of no return, leaving the sailors completely helpless against the forces of nature. Knowing the cause of the disaster is on their ship, they face a moment of intense urgency. The tempest shows no signs of calming; instead, it grows increasingly violent, with the waves continually rising and roaring [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Realizing that the sea will not settle on its own, the sailors understand they have no time to delay [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Desperate for immediate relief, they seek a way to silence the raging waters [אבן עזרא, רד״ק].

Since the sailors have already cast lots, identified Jonah as the cause, and heard his confession that he is fleeing from God, their hesitation is puzzling. If they know he is to blame, why do they not simply throw him overboard right away?

Commentators offer two main ways to understand the sailors' hesitation. The first approach views their inquiry as a plea for a practical solution and a call for Jonah's repentance. They look to him for advice on how to repair the situation and appease God [אבן עזרא]. They wonder if they should change the ship's course to take him to Nineveh, return him to the land of Israel, or perhaps have him swear an oath to fulfill his divine mission [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

Alternatively, the sailors are caught in a heavy moral dilemma. Even though they know Jonah is guilty of rebelling against God, they are deeply afraid of shedding blood. Tossing him into the sea feels like an act of direct murder. To avoid taking matters into their own hands, they ask Jonah to decide his own fate, hoping he will offer a solution that clears them of guilt. Ultimately, Jonah volunteers to be thrown overboard, choosing to die in the depths of the sea rather than repent and save the city of Nineveh [חומת אנך, אברבנאל].