Jonah: Summary & Overview
Overview
Jonah is the story of a reluctant prophet who runs from God's command to preach repentance to Nineveh — Israel's greatest enemy. Swallowed by a great fish and then deposited on shore, Jonah finally obeys. When Nineveh repents, Jonah is furious. The book reveals God's compassion for all people, even our enemies, and challenges our limits of mercy.
Key Themes
- •God's compassion for all people
- •Running from God's calling
- •The futility of fleeing God
- •Mercy beyond our comfort zone
- •Second chances
Famous Verses
“I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me.”
— Jonah 2:2
“I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”
— Jonah 4:2
“Salvation is of the Lord.”
— Jonah 2:9
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.”
— Jonah 1:17
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
— Jonah 3:10
Key Facts
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Minor Prophet / Narrative
- Author
- Jonah
- Date Written
- ~780–750 BC
- Chapters
- 4
Related Books
Read Jonah in Context
Jonah is part of our reading plans. Start reading through the Bible today.
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