Who was Jonah in the Bible?

Prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Jonah was a prophet who lived during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is first mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25, where he is identified as the son of Amittai. The name Jonah means dove in Hebrew.

In the Bible, the book of Jonah provides a detailed account of his life and ministry. Jonah is famously known for his reluctance to obey God’s command to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah attempted to flee from God’s presence by boarding a ship heading in the opposite direction. However, God sent a great storm, and Jonah was eventually thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish. After three days and nights in the belly of the fish, Jonah repented and was spit out onto dry land.

Jonah eventually obeyed God’s command and preached to the people of Nineveh, who repented of their sins and were spared from destruction. This story serves as a powerful lesson on God’s mercy, compassion, and the importance of obedience to His will.

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Jonah as a sign of his own death and resurrection, drawing parallels between Jonah’s time in the fish and his own time in the tomb (Matthew 12:39-41). Jesus also uses Jonah as an example of repentance and faith when speaking to the crowds (Luke 11:29-32).

From a biblical perspective, the story of Jonah is seen as a historical account that teaches important lessons about God’s sovereignty, mercy, and the consequences of disobedience. It also points to the universal call to repentance and the willingness of God to forgive those who turn to Him in faith.