Jonah Introduction - KJV (King James Version)
Synopsis:
Because it tells of a fish swallowing a man, many have dismissed the book of Jonah as fiction. But 2 Kings 14:25 mentions Jonah as living during the time of Jeroboam II (about 793-753 b.c.), and Jesus referred to Jonah as a historical person (Matt. 12:39-41). Unlike other prophetic books, Jonah focuses on the prophet himself rather than on his message. When God sent Jonah to Nineveh he rebelled, was swallowed by a fish, repented, and fulfilled his mission after all. When Nineveh repented, the reason for Jonah's rebellion became clear: he had feared that God would forgive the Ninevites; and when God did forgive them, Jonah resented it (4:1-3). The book lists no author, but only Jonah himself could have known all the facts it records.
Authorship: Jonah
- Hebrew name means “dove”
- Prophet to Northern Israel & Ninevah (2 Kings 14:25)
Date: ~773-755
Based upon the Thiele's Chronology.
Simple Outline:
1. God's Mercy on Jonah (Jon 1-2)
A. Jonah's Disobedience (Ch 1:1-3)
B. Jonah's Judgment (Ch 1:4-17)
C. Jonah's Prayer (Ch 2:1-9)
D. Jonah's Deliverance (Ch 2:10)
2. God's Mercy on Ninevah (Jon 3-4)
A. Jonah's Obedience (Ch 3:1-4)
B. Ninevah's Coming Judgment (Ch 3:5-10)
C. Jonah's Prayer (Ch 4:1-3)
D. Jonah Rebuked by God (Ch 4:4-11)
Notes:
- Son of Amittai (1:1)
- Native of Gath Hepher (2 King 14:25)
- Contemporary of Jeroboam II of Israel (782-753 BC) same time as Elisha
- Nineveh’s repentance probably occurred during Ashurdan II (773-755 BC)
- 2 Plagues (765 & 759 BC)
- 1 Solar Eclipse (763 BC)
- Jesus references Jonah's Experience (Matt 12:39-41; Matt 16:4,17; Luke 11:29-32)