Jonah (prophet)
Jonah is a prominent figure in both the Jewish and Christian traditions, known primarily as the central character in the Book of Jonah, part of the Old Testament. He was a Hebrew prophet from the town of Gath-hepher in Israel, active during the eighth century BCE amidst the conflicts between Israel and the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Jonah's narrative is notable for his initial reluctance to obey God's command to preach in Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, due to his resentment over the empire's aggressions against Israel.
The story recounts Jonah's attempt to flee from his divine mission, leading to his encounter with a storm, his subsequent being swallowed by a giant fish, and ultimately, his reluctant preaching to the Ninevites. Contrary to Jonah's expectations, the inhabitants of Nineveh respond with immediate repentance, which frustrates him further as he grapples with his understanding of God's compassion and forgiveness. The text raises questions about the nature of mercy and the complexity of human emotions towards adversaries, making it a rich subject for discussion regarding themes of love, forgiveness, and divine grace in both religious contexts. The interpretation of Jonah's story varies, with some viewing it as a historical account and others as a fictional narrative crafted to convey deeper moral lessons.
Jonah (prophet)
Jonah was a prophet found in both the Jewish and Christian bibles. He is best known as the primary figure of the book of Jonah, which is one of the books of the Bible’s Old Testament. There is debate among modern Jews and Christians regarding whether the book of Jonah should be viewed as a record historical events or a fictional narrative designed to teach a lesson about the nature of God.
Jonah himself was a Hebrew prophet. In the Bible, prophets are tasked by God to inform the people of his will. Although modern interpretations of the term “prophet” often focus on revealing the future, that was only a small part of the duties of the biblical prophets. They often told people what God expected of them in the present. While most prophets were examples of strong faith and obedience, Jonah resented some of God’s commands and attempted to avoid carrying them out.
Background
According to the Bible, Jonah was a member of the kingdom of Israel. Most of his activity in the Bible takes place following attacks on Israel by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, an empire that ruled the Middle East from about 912-612 BCE. These attacks occurred during the eighth century BCE. The Neo-Assyrian Empire was one of the most formidable powers in the region. It wreaked havoc on Israel, killing or capturing many Israelites and forcing others into exile.
The Bible does not reveal much about Jonah’s background or upbringing. He came from the town of Gath-hepher in Israel and was chosen by God to preach his message. Jonah is known as one of the twelve “minor prophets.” These are Old Testament figures who preach the word of God. Each is the focus of a book of the Old Testament. The “minor” distinction does not come from their importance, but from the length of their books, which are relatively short compared to the Old Testament’s “major prophets.” According to the Bible, Jonah had been raised with knowledge of God, and God began communicating with him directly.
Jonah was mentioned in the biblical book 2 Kings, where he prophesied to Israel’s King Jeroboam II on God’s behalf. The book of Jonah tells of God calling Jonah to preach at Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. God intended to destroy Nineveh as punishment for its sinful ways, but he wanted to give the city a chance to repent and show faithfulness to him. The empire’s attacks on Israel occurred during Jonah’s lifetime. He was aware of the suffering his people had endured at its hands. He felt that God was being too compassionate with a deadly enemy of Israel. Because of this, he was reluctant to carry out what God asked.
Overview
Jonah attempted to flee from God and his duties, boarding a ship that was traveling away from Nineveh. When a storm developed in the ship’s path, the ship’s sailors recognized that it was God’s power at work. They turned to Jonah for answers. He explained the situation to them, saying that they should throw him overboard to be free of the storm.
The sailors did not want to be responsible for murder, but Jonah was insistent. Although they had no religious background, they prayed to God for forgiveness before doing as Jonah requested. The storm immediately cleared up, and they began worshipping God.
Meanwhile, Jonah was saved from drowning. God sent a giant fish to swallow him whole, leaving him unharmed inside. The creature is not given much description. According to some interpretations, it may have been a whale. Jonah lived inside the fish for three days. Eventually, Jonah prayed to God, saying that he would obey and go to Nineveh. The fish promptly regurgitated Jonah safely on shore.
The book of Jonah describes Nineveh as a city so large that it required three days to cross on foot. Upon reaching the city’s border, Jonah walked for a full day. Once he was well within Nineveh, he loudly proclaimed that the city would be overthrown in forty days. His statement was very brief, and he did not tell the city’s residents what they had done wrong or how to prevent the upcoming destruction. Because of the hostility between the Neo-Assyrian Empire and Israel, it is likely that this lack of direction was deliberate.
Despite that, Nineveh’s citizens responded immediately. Their king led by example, discarding his clothes and wearing sackcloth instead to show his humility. He and all of his people humbled themselves and begged God for forgiveness. The book even describes the animals of Nineveh showing humility before God.
Jonah lashed out at God, saying that the reason he fled from his duties was that he knew that God was compassionate and forgiving. He expected that the people of Nineveh would repent if given a chance and that God would spare them. After what their empire had done to Israel, Jonah hated them too much to accept that. He asked God to kill him. God refused, so Jonah went outside of the city’s borders to watch it from a distance, hoping that the people of Nineveh would falter and still suffer God’s wrath.
God prompted a plant to grow, providing Jonah shade from the hot sun. After a day, Nineveh was still standing. God then sent a worm to eat at the plant’s root, causing it to die. Jonah was distraught at the loss of the plant, and again asked for God to end his life. God pointed out that Jonah had developed an attachment to the plant after only a day. He asked Jonah if the tens of thousands of people and animals in Nineveh didn’t deserve similar concern from God who considered them more valuable than a plant. Jonah’s story ends with God’s question.
Those who argue that the book of Jonah is fiction point to its elements as an ancient example of satire. It uses absurd situations and unexpected scenarios to make its point. Most biblical prophets are faithful and unquestioning, while Jonah attempts to run from an all-powerful God and resents his compassion. Citizens of a brutal, powerful kingdom, pagan sailors, and even animals instantly obey God when made aware of him. Jonah’s story illustrates an important concept in Judaism and Christianity: showing love and forgiveness to enemies. It also shows that God’s forgiveness is available to those who ask for it, not just those born into faith or who follow a particular set of rules.
Bibliography
“Assyria, 1365-609 B.C.” Metropolitan Museum of Art, Apr. 2010, www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/assy/hd‗assy.htm. Accessed 17 Mar. 2019.
Bolin, Thomas. “Nineveh as Sin City.” Bible Odyssey, 2018, www.bibleodyssey.org/en/places/related-articles/nineveh-as-sin-city. Accessed 16 Mar. 2019.
“Focus on Jonah.” Oxford Biblical Studies Online, 2019, global.oup.com/obso/focus/focus‗on‗jonah/. Accessed 17 Mar. 2019.
Holy Bible, Zondervan Publishing, 2006.
“Introduction to Jonah.” ESV, 2019, www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-jonah/. Accessed 17 Mar. 2019.
Isaacs, Jacob. “The Prophet Jonah.” Chabad, 2019, www.chabad.org/library/article‗cdo/aid/463982/jewish/The-Prophet-Jonah.htm. Accessed 15 Mar. 2019.
“Jonah.” Insight for Living Ministries, 2019, www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-minor-prophets/jonah. Accessed 16 Mar. 2019.
“Read Scripture: Jonah.” YouTube, uploaded by the Bible Project, 12 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c.