Jonah
The Reluctant ProphetProphet who fled from God's call to Nineveh, was swallowed by a great fish, and eventually preached the most successful revival in history
Jonah is unique among prophets - he ran from God's call, was swallowed by a great fish for three days, and preached the most successful revival in history despite hoping Nineveh would be destroyed. His story reveals God's concern for all nations, not just Israel, and exposes the problem of nationalistic hatred even in a prophet's heart. Jesus pointed to Jonah as a sign of His resurrection ('three days and three nights in the heart of the earth') and declared that Nineveh's repentance would condemn unbelieving Israel.
Original Name
יוֹנָה (Yonah)
Meaning
Dove
Etymology
Jonah comes from the Hebrew 'yonah' meaning 'dove.' The dove in Scripture symbolizes peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. Ironically, this 'dove' fled from his mission and was filled with anger rather than peace.
Linguistic Insights
Jonah's name ('Dove') is deeply ironic - doves symbolize peace and gentleness, but Jonah showed anger and hatred toward Nineveh. The 'great fish' (dag gadol - דָּג גָּדוֹל) is not specified as a whale; the Hebrew simply indicates a large sea creature. Jonah's prayer from the fish's belly (chapter 2) is filled with Psalm quotations, showing his knowledge of Scripture even in rebellion. The phrase 'salvation is from the LORD' (yeshuah l'YHWH - יְשׁוּעָתָה לַיהוָה) contains the root of Jesus's name. God's final question to Jonah about the 120,000 who 'cannot tell their right hand from their left' may refer to children, emphasizing divine compassion.
Translation Notes
- •'Yonah' (dove) - ironic given Jonah's angry temperament
- •Great fish (dag gadol), not necessarily whale
- •Jesus validates Jonah as historical figure and sign
- •Book ends with unanswered question - no closure
Related Terms
Called to prophesy against Nineveh
Jonah 1:1-2Fled to Tarshish by ship
Jonah 1:3Storm sent by God, cast overboard
Jonah 1:4-15Swallowed by great fish for three days
Jonah 1:17Prayed from fish's belly
Jonah 2:1-9Vomited onto dry land
Jonah 2:10Preached to Nineveh - city repented
Jonah 3:1-10Angry at God's mercy to Nineveh
Jonah 4:1-3Lesson of the vine and worm
Jonah 4:5-11Jonah 2:9
"Salvation comes from the LORD."
Jonah 4:2
"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."
Matthew 12:40
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Matthew 12:41
"The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah."
Born
c. 800 BC
Died
c. 750 BC
Lifespan
Approximately 50 years
Father
Amittai
Mother
Unknown
Spouse
Unknown