The issue is complicated somewhat by the use of the. The book of jonah is unique among the books of the prophets. Focus on jonah written by leading scholars, the focus on essays are designed to stimulate thought and to explore in depth topics of interest in the field of biblical studies. The supposed legendary character of some of the events e. Since the dawn of biblical criticism in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it has been a common practice to question the authenticity of the book of jonah. You might also like whats the book of jonah really about. When it initially came under the microscope of modern theologians, jonah was criticized. Introduction jonah is one of the most ridiculed books by liberal scholars. According to this interpretation, jonah is a symbol of israel in its refusal to carry out.
T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. There are a number of helpful commentaries on jonah, and the following are five of the best. I used to think that god never gave reasons for what he does but now i am convinced that god always makes commentary to jonah rev. Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. The earliest christian interpretations of jonah are found in the gospel of matthew and the gospel of luke.
Literal versus figurative interpretation of city size charles halton the southern baptist theological seminary this article examines the incongruity between most modern translations of jonah 3. This little roll of four short chapters has given rise to almost as much discussion and difference of opinion as the first four chapters of genesis. In my assessment, the book is presented to us as a historical account. Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14. Top 5 commentaries on the book of jonah ligonier ministries. Since jonah prophesied during the reign of jeroboam ii 782753 b. Book of jonah jonah chapter 1 jonah chapter 2 jonah chapter 3 jonah chapter 4.
Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. Jonahs disease is so uncommon that only one in every million people have it. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. This book of jonah, though it be placed here in the midst of the prophetical books of scripture, is yet rather a history than a prophecy. Feb 28, 2009 the style of the book of jonah is distinctive among the prophetic books.
I am an undergraduate student at a christian, and i wanted to say how absolutely helpful your response to the question is the book of jonah fact or fiction. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. Scholars have long disagreed on the central message of the book of jonah. However, to my knowledge this is the first attempt to present an overall literary analysis of the book as a whole. The phrase sign of jonah was used by jesus as a typological metaphor for his future crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Follow jonah as he goes from being an ordinary man to a true prophet of god in this memorable story of obedience, mercy, and forgiveness. In any case, from its style it is quite clear that the book of jonah was written centuries later. Unlike other old testament prophetic books, jonah is not a collection of the prophets oracles but primarily a. Determining that jonah s genre is not history frees us to examine the question of the storys intent and purpose, which is the main objective of interpretation and the focus of our formcritical analysis of jonah. Jonah 14 kjv now the word of the lord came unto bible.
Set in the reign of jeroboam ii 786746 bc, it was probably written in the postexilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century bc. Specifically, the research problem is identified with the existence of different readings of jonah as scripture, and the need for these readings to be authoritative. Jesus answered with this expression when asked by the pharisees for miraculous proof that he was indeed the messiah. 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. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible.
It would be presumptuous to think that one could, in a brief article, speak the final word on the questions in debate. God spoke to jonah in his own unique and powerful way and he told jonah to do two. The book of jonah appears to have served less purpose in the qumran community than other texts, as the writings make no references to it. The story of jonah has numerous theological implications, and this has long been. Jonah introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. Another classic tale is brought to life here in the chronicles of jonah and the whale. Jonah prophesied that jeroboam iis kingdom would expand to the former extent of israel during the united kingdom excluding the southern portion of judah and benjamin. New essays on specific themes, with links to related content within the site for further reading, are published throughout the year. His experience of three days and nights in the fish is a type of the experience of the son of. Scientists are doing research to find a cure for the disease.
But this explanation is refuted by his conduct during the storm. Now the word of the lord came to jonah the son of amittai, saying, arise, go to nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it. A secondary issue has to do with the role of authors intention in theological interpretation. Jeroboam fulfilled god prophecy given through jonah 2 kings 14.
Highlights from the books of obadiah, jonah, and micah. In the midst of the obscure prophecies before and after this book, wherein. In the book of jonah, it is mostly composed in prose with only a small portion in poetry 2. A book for jonah alvin independent school district. Jonah must go at once to nineveh, and there, on the spot, cry against the wickedness of it. Jonahs sins had caused trouble for several other people. A book for jonah 1 a sixyearold boy named dylan siegel wanted to help his friend jonah, who has a rare liver disease. The book of jonah preface those of you who are familiar with the story of jonah and the whale know that jonah hopped a ship heading in the opposite direction when god commanded him to. The following structure is based on a careful analysis of the content of jonah in the hebrew text. Jonah, the book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. The book of jonah is more than just a delightful story for children. Interpretations of the book of jonah regularly focus on the prophets explanation of his flight in 4.
More could be said in support of mckenzies interpretation of jonah as satire. You can find the best commentary on jonah for you using the tools on the right side. The story of a fish swallowing a man and the man living sounds impossible, and since most liberal scholars deny the possibility of the supernatural, they reject the book of jonah as anything but a fairy tale. Jonah s sins had caused trouble for several other people. After three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, the lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out jonah upon the dry land. Mar, 20 aside from the criticism of jonah being miraculous, some of the more prominent criticisms launched at the jonah story included. Jonah, however, had gone below, had lain down in the hold and was fast asleep.
Although the author of jonah is never identified in the book itself, jonah himself has traditionally been identified as the author. With regard to allegory, there are no textual cues that it is an allegory, and jesus did not treat it as such. 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 men could not believe that jonah fled from being in the presence of the god that he said he followed as a prophet and as a servant. While not denying that jonah could be made up of elements coming from a variety of sources, sasson considers the book in its present form as a unity. Josephus has transformed what bickerman has called a morality play, which, in the bible, focuses upon the sinful people of nineveh, their genuine repentance, and their forgiveness by god, into a historical episode centering upon the historical figure of jonah, who, as a prophet, is closely akin to the historian, and upon. We are told, for example, that the great fish that swallowed jonah was specially created for this occasion when god created the world.
I am currently taking a course that is an introduction to the bible. Dylan told his parents that he wanted to raise money to help pay for research. Here are 10 valuable lessons gleaned from jonahs encounter with the great fish and the people of. Jonah rejoices at his shade and not the salvation of a city from physical and eternal death. At the end of chapter 1, jonah, who is a most reluctant prophet on the run from. H people were curious about dylans favorite activities. Entry for jonah, book of the 1901 jewish encyclopedia one of 8 bible encyclopedias freely available, this encyclopedia is a descriptive record of the history, religion and customs of the jewish people. It concerns a disobedient prophet who rejected his divine commission, was cast overboard in a storm and swallowed by a great fish, rescued in a marvelous manner, and returned to his starting point. The medieval jewish scholar and rabbi abraham ibn ezra 1092 1167 argued against any literal interpretation of the. Hence jonahs suicidal feelings were in effect a refusal of mercy. Here are 10 valuable lessons gleaned from jonahs encounter with the great fish and the people of nineveh.
We will reap the evil we sow this is our choice but its gods disapline so we will come to our senses like the prodical son did and what a. Josephus interpretation of jonah volume 17 issue 1 louis h. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. Jonah and the whale is a favorite story among children. Jonah has been a favorite subject for midrashic commentary. Jonah s anger at the pardon extended to nineveh might be taken as an indication that he is a xenophobe who longs for the destruction of idolaters. Jonahs anger at the pardon extended to nineveh might be taken as an indication that he is a xenophobe who longs for the destruction of idolaters. Their wickedness, as that of nineveh, is a bold and open affront to god. Many have questioned whether the book of jonah is historical. When your joy is in trite things rather than the things of god, count on god to destroy your trite things. This is the only mention of the prophet outside of the book of jonah. It is sad to think how much sin is committed in great cities.
A suicide attemptwhether completed or notis therefore a sin against the holy spirit because it amounts to a refusal to believe gods offer of mercy to all sinners and a refusal to listen to god who, through the deathand resurrectionof his very son, has sealed the word of his promise forever. When jonah is tasked by god to warn the people of nineveh to repent, it is the last thing jonah wants to do. Aside from portions of the book of jeremiah and daniel, all of the other prophetic books focus primarily on the message of the prophet. Nevertheless, some have questioned the historicity of the book, especially because of the miraculous events surrounding the fish. Literary analysis of jonah chiasmus in jonah has been noted by numerous biblical scholars. Just because we go through the motions of following gods will does not mean our hearts are aligned with his.
The main theme of the book of jonah is gods sovereignty over all people and his divine plan to extend his gift of mercy and salvation beyond israel to include the gentile nations. Highlights from the books of obadiah, jonah, and micah the vision of obadiah. Here are 10 valuable lessons gleaned from jonah s encounter with the great fish and the people of nineveh. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Jonah was likely written to contribute to this theological debate. New essays on specific themes, with links to related content within the site for further reading, are published throughout. Jonah prophesied to nineveh but he wasnt happy about it jonah 4. 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. Concern for the salvation of all people, including ones enemies, is the proper attitude for people of god.
Unlike other old testament prophetic books, jonah is not a collection of the prophets oracles but primarily a narrative about the man. Jonah chapter 1 kjv king james version jonah knew he had done wrong and told them to throw him overboard but god sent the whale to rescue him. It may be read as an allegory, one of sin and repentance, with gods loving mercy and forgiveness. The sign of jonah is interpreted in two ways in the new testament. The book of jonah preface those of you who are familiar with the story of jonah and the whale know that jonah hopped a ship heading in the opposite direction when god commanded him to go preach to the ninevites. Josephus has transformed what bickerman has called a morality play, which, in the bible, focuses upon the sinful people of nineveh, their genuine repentance, and their forgiveness by god, into a historical episode centering upon the historical figure of jonah, who, as a prophet, is closely akin to the historian, and. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Jonah intro to jonah biblica the international bible society.
These words begin the bible book of obadiahthe prophet reveals nothing about himself except his name in the book that he composed in 607 b. In the new testament, no other old testament prophet is named by jesus more than the prophet jonah. Other interpretations of jonah have also been offered, such as it being either allegory or midrash. A huge fish is not the most dangerous thing to swallow jonah. Jonah does indeed sin, but his prayer from the belly of the fish is quite devoid. It tells of a hebrew prophet named jonah son of amittai who is sent by god to prophesy the destruction of nineveh but tries to escape the divine mission. God destroyed the plant that exposed jonahs ridiculous priorities. How relieved jonah must have been to have been restored to dry land. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. The style of the book of jonah is distinctive among the prophetic books. We will reap the evil we sow this is our choice but its gods disapline so we will come to our senses like the prodical son did and what a wonderful welcome home.
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