Book introduction
The book of Jonah
Jonah is told to preach to Nineveh, the capital of Israel’s enemy, and runs the other way. A storm, a great fish, and a second chance follow. When Nineveh repents and God spares it, Jonah is angry.
Who wrote Jonah?
The book is about Jonah son of Amittai, a prophet in the 700s BC, but does not say who wrote it. Many scholars date the writing later.
When was it written?
Set in the 700s BC. Writing dated from then to after the exile.
Main themes
- God’s mercy reaches enemies
- God cares about Nineveh and its people.
- You cannot outrun God
- Jonah runs, and God follows.
- God questions our anger
- The book ends with God’s question, left for the reader.
Outline of Jonah
Key verses
But I, with a voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to Yahweh!
He prayed to Yahweh, Please, Yahweh, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I hurried to flee to Tarshish. For I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and one who relents from sending disaster.
Should I not care about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 people who do not know their right hand from their left, and many animals as well?
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Four short chapters. Read it straight through, and don’t skip chapter 4.
How well do you know Jonah?
Ten questions on the book of Jonah, from “Where did God tell Jonah to go?” on. Each answer shows its verse.
Ask about this book
Questions about Jonah?
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