Even after the lottery singles out a suspect, the sailors do not rush to cast him into the sea. Instead, they launch a thorough investigation to ensure the result is not a mere coincidence. The passenger is an anonymous figure with no identifying marks, carrying only his basic provisions [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. To uncover the root of the violent storm, the crew subjects him to a series of piercing questions [אברבנאל]. They first demand to know the exact nature of the sin that brought this disaster and against whom it was committed [רש"י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. This inquiry has a highly practical motive. If the offense is financial, such as theft, they might be able to resolve the crisis by returning the stolen goods. If, however, the crime is a direct offense against his god, financial compensation might not appease Him [מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, the sailors might be asking whether he is the actual sinner, or if he simply possesses the knowledge of who among the passengers is truly guilty [מלבי"ם].
The interrogation then shifts to four targeted questions regarding his identity and background. The primary approach among commentators is that these inquiries are designed to determine the precise nature of his crime. By asking about his occupation, the sailors suspect his livelihood might be rooted in deceit, violence, or public fraud [רש"י, רד"ק, מצודת דוד], or perhaps he engages in an illicit profession, such as serving as a pagan priest [אברבנאל]. When questioning where he comes from, they attempt to discover if he is fleeing a crime committed in his hometown, or if he has cheated people so far away that restitution is now impossible [רד"ק, מצודת דוד]. This could also be an inquiry into his parentage, exploring whether he is being punished for the wickedness of his ancestors [אברבנאל]. Furthermore, asking about his country and people is a way to find out if he violated the customs of his homeland or broke religious laws tied to a specific territory [רד"ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Through these details, the crew also hopes to identify his god, which would help them understand the severity of the religious offense [מצודת דוד].
Beyond a personal crime, some commentators suggest the sailors feared the implications of collective punishment. They worried that a divine decree of destruction had been issued against his entire city or nation, and the storm was striking the ship simply because he was among them [רש"י, רד"ק]. However, this theory faces criticism, as it seems illogical that a decree against an entire nation would endanger a random ship just because of a single passenger's presence. Therefore, it is suggested that the sailors asked about his profession and homeland simply because a person's environment and daily work are strong indicators of their moral character, and the crew needed to evaluate exactly who they were dealing with [אבן עזרא]. Finally, a completely different perspective roots the interrogation in ancient pagan superstitions. According to this view, the sailors believed that the god of the sea harbored arbitrary hatreds toward certain professions, specific ports of departure, or particular nations. Driven by this worldview, the crew desperately tried to pinpoint which specific detail of his identity had provoked the sea god's wrath [מלבי"ם].