Jonah

Author: Probably Jonah

Period: c.785-775 B.C.

Title: The English, Hebrew, Greek and Latin versions all name this book after Jonah, the prophet whose ministry is recorded in the book. The name Jonah (Hebrew Yonah) means “Dove.”

Summary: The book is concerned with the commission of Jonah to warn the city of Nineveh (the capital of Assyria) to repent and obey God’s commandments in order to avoid assured destruction. Jonah is reluctant to preach this message and is therefore swallowed by a great fish and remains in the belly of the fish for three days. Upon his release, he preaches the message to the people of Nineveh who believe his message and repent of their sins.

Breakdown:

Fleeing: Chapter 1:1-17

• The Lord’s command: 1:1-2
• A ship to Tarshish: 1:3
• A storm at sea: 1:4-14
• Cast overboard: 1:15-17

Praying: Chapter 2:1-10

• Cast out: 2:1-4
• Brought up: 2:5-6
• Paying vows: 2:7-9
• Delivered: 2:10

Preaching: Chapter 3:1-10

• The Lord’s second command: 3:1-2
• Declaring the message: 3:3-4
• Nineveh’s repentance: 3:5-9
• Judgment withheld: 3:10

Learning: Chapter 4:1-11

• Complaint: 4:1-3
• The gourd and the worm: 4:4-7
• The wind and the sun: 4:8
• The lesson: 4:9-11