Revised by Tyler Mayfield (5/24)
Historical questions
One of the most debated issues about JonahJonah son of Amittai was a rebellious prophet who fled from the Lord’s command, only to be delivered by a big and fish and bring about the repentance of Nineveh. More concerns whether the story is meant primarily as a historical account. As one wit commented, a man surviving in a whale is the most believable part of Jonah. Much more challenging to understand is the idea that Nineveh ever repented because of the message of an Israelite prophet. Even the animals in Nineveh fast in repentance! In addition, the story’s authorship dates from a time several centuries after the events it portrays. It seems the book is not trying to relay a straightforward history but to weave a moral tale.
What kind of story? The genreA genre is a type or category of something, often literature. Form criticism (see) begins with sorting biblical literature into various genres. More of Jonah
The Book of Jonah is foremost a story. But what kind of story? Some read it as a parableA parable is a brief story with a setting, an action, and a result. A prominent aspect of Jesus’ teaching was telling parables to illustrate something about the kingdom, or reign, of God. More with a moral lesson, and point to parables spoken to King DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More by the prophet NathanThe prophet who condemned David for adultery and promised that God would establish a Davidic dynasty. More or to Jesus’ use of parables. But Jonah would be a lengthy parable. Others view it as satire, which uses humor and exaggeration, to make fun of Jonah as a bad prophet. In this reading of the book, Jonah the character shows how not to be a prophet. Still others compare the book to stories about prophets such as ElijahA miracle working Israelite prophet who opposed worship of Baal. More in 1-2 Kings to argue that Jonah is simply a story that features a prophet.
The fish/whale
When people learn this story, they usually are taught that Jonah was in the belly of a whale. The Hebrew of the Book of Jonah actually says he was in the belly of a “big fish.” It does not provide specificity regarding the kind of fish. The ancient people would not have known of the modern distinction between a fish and an aquatic mammal. Throughout the centuries, this creature has been depicted artistically in various forms including a sea monster.
The composition of the book
Some scholars view the Book of Jonah as the work of a single author. Others acknowledge that Jonah 2 – the psalmA psalm is a song of praise. In the Old Testament 150 psalms comprise the psalter, although some of the psalms are laments and thanksgivings. In the New Testament early Christians gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. More – is an addition to the prose story. The chapter may have existed independently initially as a psalm of thanksgiving and was added by an author because of a perceived fit between Jonah’s predicament and the psalm’s content. A closer look at the psalm in Jonah 2 demonstrates discrepancies between this song and the prose surrounding it. For example, Jonah 2 seems to thank God for deliverance, but Jonah has not been delivered yet in the prose section of the book. Other scholars consider Jonah 3-4 to be the original story with Jonah 1-2 added later.
The Book of Jonah among the minor prophets
Jonah shares certain words and topics with other shorter prophetic books that create a connection across the minor prophets. The Book of Nahum, for example, is an oracleAn oracle is a divine utterance of guidance, promise, or judgment delivered to humans through an intermediary (who is often also called an oracle). In the Bible oracles are given by Balaam (in the book of Numbers) and by David (in 2 Samuel). A number… More about Nineveh that also contains numerous Hebrew words found in Jonah 4. Both books also conclude with a question. Differences between these two books exist also: Nahum proclaims judgment on Nineveh and Jonah demonstrates God’s mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God’s mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More for the city’s inhabitants.
Relationship between God’s people and the nations
One important issue that the story of Jonah raises is how God’s people should regard the nations (those who were from a people other than the Hebrew people). At the time when Jonah was probably written (after the exile), there was strong pressure within the Judean population for the people to live separately from other nations. At that time, some men within God’s people sent their foreign wives away. Jonah is a story that emphasizes that God loves even Nineveh, the wicked foreign city.
