This summary of the book of jonah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of jonah. Although some contend this book is a fable and that. Jonah was a prophet of the lord and he was called to deliver a message of repentance to the city of nineveh which was the capital of the assyrian empire. Jonah repents and goes reluctantly to deliver the message. Jan 02, 2020 jonah was the son of amittai, who came from gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in joshua 19.
The storys title character, jonah, son of amittai, is never called a prophet, though god calls him to deliver the kind of message prophets deliver. Historical background to jonah november 21, 2012 by jeremy myers 5 comments when studying scripture, it is critical to gain understanding of the historical background and cultural setting of the book or passage being studied. Nothing is known historically about the author from the book or from other background materials iii. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. Jonah was the son of amittai, who came from gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in joshua 19. Along with a great influx of wealth into the israelite society during micahs time, came an increasing number of social evils. The book of jonah recounts real events in the life and ministry of the prophet himself. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. Literary characteristics unlike most other prophetic parts of the ot, this book is a narrative account of a single prophetic mission.
T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. Jonah 1 background information with maps and images. Intro to jonah biblica the international bible society. Jonah does a runner ends up in the belly of giant fish. Jonah is forced into a confrontation with god because of his attitudes 1.
The story of the prophet jonah is recorded in the book of jonah, which is part of the bible, and is read in the synagogue every year on the day of atonement. The book of jonah is the fifth book in the christian canons and the jewish tanakh. Although the book is written in the third person, the traditional view is that jonah is the author of the book, and there is no persuasive reason to theorize about an unknown author. What is the historical context of the book of jonah.
Although the author of jonah is never identified in the book itself, jonah himself has traditionally been identified as the author. Obadiah, jonah, micah tyndale old testament commentary by t. This may have been a popular name as with ahabs steward who met elijah cf. The lord called jonah to go to the great assyrian city of nineveh to pronounce judgment on it.
Jonah is the only minor prophet ever to be mentioned by jesus christ. He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind elisha in his place in the old testament. This was a time of expansion, which was in process for nearly two generations. Others believe jonah is read on yom kippur with the hope that listeners would learn from jonahs mistakes. Title following the lead of the hebrew masoretic text mt, the title of the book is derived from the principal character, jonah meaning dove, the son of amittai 1. Others believe jonah is read on yom kippur with the hope that listeners would learn from jonah s mistakes. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. The prophets name means dove and is rendered and jonas in the septuagint and vulgate. Although the book of jonah is not about world missions, the theme of gods mission to the world is definitely present in the book.
The events recorded in the book must have taken place prior to 612, when nineveh was destroyed. It is an important book to both religious traditions christianity and jewish. Although some consider this book to be an allegory, according to 2 kings 14. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. We respond by noting how the hebrew verb form that jonah used is just as likely used to. Following information from the minor prophets jonah by al maxey.
One teacher of israel says the story of jonah is more about repentance than it is about the fish. This was a time when assyria was not a threat to israel. We left jonah in the belly of the fish, and had reason to think we should hear no more of him, that if he were not destroyed by the waters of the sea he would be consumed in the bowels of that leviathan, out of whose mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire, and whose breath kindles coals, job. The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused. Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. The book is named after its principal character, whose name means dove.
Jonah in the picture study bible the book of jonah with. Furthermore, jesus validated jonahs experience in the belly of the fish as factual matt. The primary theme in jonah is that gods compassion is boundless, not limited just to us jonah and the israelites but also available for them the pagan sailors and the ninevites. Background to the book of jonah sermon by johnny a. Many have questioned whether the book of jonah is historical. The book of jonah is an amazing story about gods willingness to respond favorable to any and all who are willing to repent of their sins and turn to him. Since jonah states that nineveh was a very large city in jonah 3.
The audience of the book of jonah was the people of israel and all future readers of the bible and, typically, prophets issued warnings or gave instructions to the people of israel. Certainly, god desired jonah to proclaim a message to nineveh in the hopes that they would turn from their wicked ways. We respond by noting how the hebrew verb form that jonah used is just as likely used to indicate that the city had become a great city and. Therefore, when the title was assigned to it, it may have intended that the book was written by jonah or that the book is about jonah. Jonah or jonas, in the hebrew bible tanakhold testament, is a prophet of the northern kingdom of israel in about the 8th century bce. Some evidence seems to support a date in the 8th cent. The supposed legendary character of some of the events e. Mar 16, 2019 written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. Set in the reign of jeroboam ii, it was probably written in the postexilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century bc. Nov 21, 2012 historical background to jonah november 21, 2012 by jeremy myers 5 comments when studying scripture, it is critical to gain understanding of the historical background and cultural setting of the book or passage being studied.
The book of jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 b. Here it is not the external historical surroundings which concern us. God does not desire that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance 1 tim 2. Best jonah commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Jonahs story is told in the short just 48 verses but powerful book of jonah. Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of jonah. Unlike other prophetic books in the old testament, the book of jonah is not a record of jonahs prophecies but a narrative about the prophets experiences. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Jonah was resurrected from the whale to pursue gods path that he had laid before him, which was to rebuke nineveh into repentance. Some explain that jonah is evidence that no one can escape the presence of god, even while trying to run from the almighty.
In greek the book is titled obdiou, a transliteration of the hebrew name and title. Jonah lived and ministered in israel during the 8th century bc, during the reign of king jeroboam ii 2 kings 14. Jonah chapter video clips fromthe heart of the sea3dcity of nineveh song voices instrumentaldisturbed. Sep 02, 2016 jonah chapter video clips fromthe heart of the sea3dcity of nineveh song voices instrumentaldisturbed.
The account contains details that appear to be exaggerations, which has raised questions for some readers about how much of the book is historical. Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14. But, the prophet jonahs account of remarkable experiences with storms at sea, being eaten by. The book of jonah has been attacked by the destructive critics. Jonah encounters pagans who are forced to consider the influence of his god 1. He is the central figure of the book of jonah, in which he is called upon by god to travel to nineveh and warn its residents of impending divine wrath. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart. If it is assumed that jonah intends to be a historical account, then certainly much of its content must 1 scholars vary on the specific dates. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh.
Ninevites believe jonahs message and repent in sackcloth and asheseven the king. In the case of the book of jonah the historical background must be considered from a point of view different from that of the prophetical books in the stricter sense. Along with a great influx of wealth into the israelite society during micahs time, came an. Other than the mention of nineveh and of jonah, the contents offer little help in relating the book to its background. The book of jonah is about an event that jesus said took place in history. A subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies.
Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. It is one of trei asar the twelve prophets in the tanakh, and in christian tradition as oi dodeka prophetai or ton dodekapropheton, greek for the twelve prophets. In hebrew the book is titled hydbu meaning servant of yahweh. He is also the only ot figure that jesus himself likens unto himself matthew 12. In various english translations the name has been given as jonas, jona, and jonah. Book of jonah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Book of jonah, the fifth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, embraced in a single book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. Macdonald, only chapter 2, jonahs very personal psalm from the belly of the great fish, is in the first person. Nov 21, 2012 although the book of jonah is not about world missions, the theme of gods mission to the world is definitely present in the book. Jonah 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim in the hebrew bible. Jonah 1 background information with maps and images picture.
The men of nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of jonas. The most difficult and troubling passages often open their meaning and significance in the most beautiful way when the historical and cultural background of the text is grasped. Book of jonah, also spelled jonas, the fifth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, embraced in a single book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who.
This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same. Jonah was a picture of the death and resurrection of christ. Watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The story has a long interpretive history and has become well known through popular childrens stories. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. Concern for the salvation of all people, including ones enemies, is the proper attitude for people of god. Jonah represents jesus as the resurrection and the life. The bible journey introduction to the book of jonah. Historical background of the book of micah a short summary of micah background of the book of micah book overview of micah 17 themes in micah. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Unlike other old testament prophetic books, jonah is not a collection of the prophets oracles but primarily a narrative about the man.
Jonahs ministry, at least according to the book of 2 kings 14. If you have ever attended church, sunday school, or bedtime story sessions as a child, you have likely heard about the story in the book of jonah at some point. The book is also written as a historical narrative. The man jonah was the main character of the book, he was the son of amittai jonah 1. Apr 12, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
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