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Introduction to Jonah

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Jonah

  1. Jonah tries to run away from Yahweh
    • Jonah's first call from Yahweh to go to Nineveh and his disobedience (1:1–3)
    • Jonah and the Gentile sailors (1:4–16)
    • Yahweh provides a large fish to swallow Jonah (1:17)
    • Jonah's prayer from inside the large fish and his rescue (2:1–10)
    • Jonah's experience in Nineveh
    • Jonah is called by God a second time to go to Nineveh, and he begins to proclaim God's message (3:1–4)
    • All the people in Nineveh repent (3:5)
    • The proclamation of the king of Nineveh (3:6–9)
    • Yahweh decides not to destroy Nineveh (3:10)
    • Jonah is very angry at Yahweh (4:1–3)
    • Yahweh teaches Jonah about grace and mercy (4:4–11)

What is the Book of Jonah about?

This book is a narrative about the prophet Jonah. The purpose of this book is to tell how God showed mercy and grace to Gentiles. It also tells how the Ninevites were willing to repent and to call out to Yahweh for mercy. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/mercy, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/grace, and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent)

God sent Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that he was about to punish them. God said that if they would repent he would not harm them. However, Jonah was an Israeite and he did not want God to forgive the Ninevites. So, he tried to sail away in the opposite direction instead of doing what God told him to do. But, God stopped him by sending a large fish to swallow him.

Eventually, Jonah repented and went to warn the Ninevites. As a result, God taught him a lesson about his love for all human beings, not just the Israelites.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may decide to translate this traditional title "The Book of Jonah" in a way that is clearer to the readers. They may decide to call it, "The Book about Jonah." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)

Who wrote the Book of Jonah?

The author of the Book of Jonah is unknown. The prophet Jonah lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied sometime between 800-750 B.C. during the reign of King Jeroboam II.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What was the nation of Assyria?

During the time of Jonah, Assyria was the most powerful kingdom in the ancient Near East. It was known for its cruelty to its enemies. Eventually, God punished the Assyrians for the wicked things they did.

Did Assyria convert to Judaism?

Some scholars think that the Assyrians started worshipping Yahweh alone. However, most scholars think they continued to worship other false gods. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod)