Jonah
TextsWhat is the meaning of Jonah in the Bible?
Jonah is the protagonist of the Book of Jonah, a prophetic text in the Hebrew Bible that narrates his attempt to flee from Yahweh's command to preach repentance to Nineveh, his subsequent confinement within a large sea creature, and the eventual deliverance of the Assyrian capital following the city's penitence.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Jonah as a literary figure within a specific prophetic text clarifies the biblical perspective on universal divine mercy, demonstrating how the narrative challenges exclusive nationalistic interpretations of covenantal favor by validating the repentance of Israel's historical enemies.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Jonah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jonah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.