Matthew Poole and continuators on Jonah 1:8

8 Then said they unto him , Tell us we pray thee , for whose cause this evil is upon us ? what is thine occupation ? and whence comest thou ? what is thy countrey , and of what people art thou ?

When the lot pointed out Ionah, these Marriners all are satisfied that he was the man; that Heaven had determined that grand Enquiry, and accordingly they treat with him.

They do try what fair means will do with him, and desire to have the account from his own mouth; so Ioshua dealt with Achan, Iosh. 7. satisfied in the person, next they do with commendable justice, and calmness enquire into the thing.

What hast thou done, for which God is so angry with thee, and with us for thy sake; sure thou canst not but know what 'tis, and now frankly tell us

what course of Life hast thou lived, or what Imployment dost thou now profess to follow, that we may guess by that whether thou art one of flagitious, or of honest Life?

E're he give answer to this, probably another asketh whence he cometh, what Company he had kept; by this they conjecture at the man.

Another starts a third Enquiry, what Country or Nation he is of, to those Ports Persons of different Nations flockt, possibly they hoped some or other in the ship might be his Country-men, and so fittest to e[illegible: 1 letter]amin him.

This seems to be the same question repeated, or else an Enquiry where he dwelt. These the heads of the Questions askt him.