Jon 1 | TNotes | STEP | Book of Jonah — Quick facts: Purpose: To recount a story of the far-reaching scope of God’s sovereignty and salvation Author: Unknown Date: Around 755 BC Setting: A time when Assyria’s influence in Israel had temporarily decreased, likely during the reign of Jeroboam II Book of Jonah — Overview: Setting Jonah was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the politically prosperous but spiritually dark reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC ). Despite Jeroboam’s spiritual failures (see 2 Kgs 14:23-24 ), his territory continued to expand, as Jonah predicted (2 Kgs 14:25 ), approximately growing back to what it had been in the glory days of David and Solomon (see 1 Kgs 8:65 ). Nationalism was running high during the time of Jonah. At that time, Nineveh was a key city in the Assyrian Empire. Assyria’s power had swelled in previous decades. Shalmaneser III of Assyria (858–824 BC ) had extended the influence of the empire well into Palestine. Assyrian annals from that period record Shalmaneser confronting the Israelite king Ahab (1 Kgs 17:1–22:53 ), among others, at the famous battle of Qarqar (853 BC ). But during the reigns of Jehoash (798–782 BC ) and Jeroboam II (793–753 BC ) in Israel, Assyria’s dominance in the region waned because of failed leadership and continued resistance on the frontiers. Jonah preached in Nineveh when the Assyrian Empire was at this low point, probably around 755 BC . Some years following Jonah’s visit to Nineveh, Assyria began reasserting itself throughout the Near East during the reign of Tiglath-pileser III (744–727 BC ). In 722 BC , a few decades after Jonah, Assyria sacked Samaria and brought the northern kingdom of Israel to an end. A century later, the prophet Nahum of Judah announced the imminent destruction of Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire, a consequence of its pervasive wickedness. Nineveh was destroyed by the Babylonians in 612 BC . Evidently, the repentance brought about through Jonah’s preaching took no lasting root. Summary The book of Jonah falls naturally into two parts. Chapters 1–2 recount Jonah’s initial rejection of the Lord’s commission to warn Nineveh of the judgment it had incurred because of its wickedness. Instead of heading for Nineveh, Jonah set out by ship in the opposite direction (1:3 ). But the Lord sent a raging storm to chasten the prophet. After a frantic attempt by the pagan sailors to appease whatever god had been offended, Jonah was “discovered” and was reluctantly cast overboard. God then demonstrated his power by calming the storm, and in a twist of irony, the pagan sailors worshiped God while his prophet presumably plunged to a shameful death. But God had plans to save Jonah. Jonah was swallowed by a “great fish,” within which he apparently repented (ch 2 ). After three days and nights, the fish spit Jonah out onto dry land. In chapters 3–4 , God reasserted his commission of the prophet to preach in Nineveh, and this time, Jonah obeyed. Nineveh repented en masse upon hearing Jonah’s warnings (ch 3 ), and God refrained from executing the judgment that Jonah had warned was coming (3:10 ). In another bit of irony, Jonah was unable to accept God’s outpouring of mercy toward Israel’s enemies. Jonah moved from anger to despair (ch 4 ). God once more deployed his power over nature to chasten Jonah, this time through the rapid growth and demise of a plant that shaded the pouting prophet from the sun. The book ends abruptly, leaving Jonah and the reader pondering God’s final question: Shouldn’t God (and his people) “feel sorry for such a great city” and desire sinners to receive mercy rather than wrath? Authorship The book of Jonah does not identify its author; the title derives from the name of the main character. Jonah or an associate of his may have written the book. Genre Unlike other prophetic books, Jonah is almost entirely narrative rather than a collection of prophetic messages. But is it historical narrative? Many have insisted that the book is fictional because it describes miraculous events, and diverse attempts have been made to classify the book according to some non-historical literary genre, such as parable or didactic story. Although the author of Jonah did utilize certain literary devices to make his point (the use of poetry, irony, and language common to parables), the book presents itself as a historical account (see 1:1 ), and it is best understood as a historical narrative with a theological message. Meaning and Message Jonah is unique among the prophetic books. It narrates God’s sending of a prophet to Assyria, an enemy of Israel, and the widespread repentance that resulted. The lesson Jonah learned was one that the entire nation of Israel needed: “My salvation comes from the Lord alone” (2:9 , literally salvation belongs to the Lord ). Salvation is the Lord’s to give to whomever he pleases, and those who have received God’s mercy must not try to restrict the flow of God’s mercy to others, even their enemies (see ch 4 ). Salvation—whether from the threat of physical harm or from judgment—is thus directly related to God’s sovereignty. The sailors were saved after God calmed the storm. Jonah was saved from drowning when God sent the fish to swallow him. There is no domain, even in the depths of the ocean, from which God cannot deliver and protect human life. Likewise, there is no nation that God cannot judge (3:4 , 9 ) or save from judgment (3:10 ; see Jer 18:7-10 ). The book of Jonah affirms that, long before Christ came, God was eager to bring salvation beyond the borders of Israel. Israel was his covenant people, but from the beginning his desire was to bless the nations through Israel (see Gen 12:3 ). God’s heart for the nations is that they turn from idols to know him, the God of heaven who created the world (Jon 1:9 ; see 2 Pet 3:9 ). Summary for Jonah 1:1-3: 1:1–2:10 Jonah initially rejected the Lord’s commission to warn Nineveh of the judgment it had incurred because of its wickedness. 1:1 Jonah son of Amittai was from Gath-hepher, a town located on the border of the tribal areas of Naphtali and Zebulun. He ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (793

Book of Jonah — Quick facts:

Purpose: To recount a story of the far-reaching scope of God’s sovereignty and salvation

Author: Unknown

Date: Around 755 BC

Setting: A time when Assyria’s influence in Israel had temporarily decreased, likely during the reign of Jeroboam II

Book of Jonah — Overview:

Setting
Jonah was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the politically prosperous but spiritually dark reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC). Despite Jeroboam’s spiritual failures (see 2 Kgs 14:23-24 ^a), his territory continued to expand, as Jonah predicted (2 Kgs 14:25 ^b), approximately growing back to what it had been in the glory days of David and Solomon (see 1 Kgs 8:65 ^c). Nationalism was running high during the time of Jonah.
At that time, Nineveh was a key city in the Assyrian Empire. Assyria’s power had swelled in previous decades. Shalmaneser III of Assyria (858–824 BC) had extended the influence of the empire well into Palestine. Assyrian annals from that period record Shalmaneser confronting the Israelite king Ahab (1 Kgs 17:1–22:53 ^d), among others, at the famous battle of Qarqar (853 BC). But during the reigns of Jehoash (798–782 BC) and Jeroboam II (793–753 BC) in Israel, Assyria’s dominance in the region waned because of failed leadership and continued resistance on the frontiers. Jonah preached in Nineveh when the Assyrian Empire was at this low point, probably around 755 BC.
Some years following Jonah’s visit to Nineveh, Assyria began reasserting itself throughout the Near East during the reign of Tiglath-pileser III (744–727 BC). In 722 BC, a few decades after Jonah, Assyria sacked Samaria and brought the northern kingdom of Israel to an end. A century later, the prophet Nahum of Judah announced the imminent destruction of Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire, a consequence of its pervasive wickedness. Nineveh was destroyed by the Babylonians in 612 BC. Evidently, the repentance brought about through Jonah’s preaching took no lasting root.

Summary
The book of Jonah falls naturally into two parts. Chapters 1–2 ^e recount Jonah’s initial rejection of the Lord’s commission to warn Nineveh of the judgment it had incurred because of its wickedness. Instead of heading for Nineveh, Jonah set out by ship in the opposite direction (1:3 ^f). But the Lord sent a raging storm to chasten the prophet. After a frantic attempt by the pagan sailors to appease whatever god had been offended, Jonah was “discovered” and was reluctantly cast overboard. God then demonstrated his power by calming the storm, and in a twist of irony, the pagan sailors worshiped God while his prophet presumably plunged to a shameful death. But God had plans to save Jonah. Jonah was swallowed by a “great fish,” within which he apparently repented (ch 2 ^g). After three days and nights, the fish spit Jonah out onto dry land.
In chapters 3–4 ^h, God reasserted his commission of the prophet to preach in Nineveh, and this time, Jonah obeyed. Nineveh repented en masse upon hearing Jonah’s warnings (ch 3 ⁱ), and God refrained from executing the judgment that Jonah had warned was coming (3:10 ^j). In another bit of irony, Jonah was unable to accept God’s outpouring of mercy toward Israel’s enemies. Jonah moved from anger to despair (ch 4 ^k). God once more deployed his power over nature to chasten Jonah, this time through the rapid growth and demise of a plant that shaded the pouting prophet from the sun. The book ends abruptly, leaving Jonah and the reader pondering God’s final question: Shouldn’t God (and his people) “feel sorry for such a great city” and desire sinners to receive mercy rather than wrath?

Authorship
The book of Jonah does not identify its author; the title derives from the name of the main character. Jonah or an associate of his may have written the book.

Genre
Unlike other prophetic books, Jonah is almost entirely narrative rather than a collection of prophetic messages. But is it historical narrative? Many have insisted that the book is fictional because it describes miraculous events, and diverse attempts have been made to classify the book according to some non-historical literary genre, such as parable or didactic story. Although the author of Jonah did utilize certain literary devices to make his point (the use of poetry, irony, and language common to parables), the book presents itself as a historical account (see 1:1 ^l), and it is best understood as a historical narrative with a theological message.

Meaning and Message
Jonah is unique among the prophetic books. It narrates God’s sending of a prophet to Assyria, an enemy of Israel, and the widespread repentance that resulted. The lesson Jonah learned was one that the entire nation of Israel needed: “My salvation comes from the Lord alone” (2:9 ^m, literally salvation belongs to the Lord). Salvation is the Lord’s to give to whomever he pleases, and those who have received God’s mercy must not try to restrict the flow of God’s mercy to others, even their enemies (see ch 4 ⁿ).
Salvation—whether from the threat of physical harm or from judgment—is thus directly related to God’s sovereignty. The sailors were saved after God calmed the storm. Jonah was saved from drowning when God sent the fish to swallow him. There is no domain, even in the depths of the ocean, from which God cannot deliver and protect human life. Likewise, there is no nation that God cannot judge (3:4 ^o, 9 ^p) or save from judgment (3:10 ^q; see Jer 18:7-10 ^r).
The book of Jonah affirms that, long before Christ came, God was eager to bring salvation beyond the borders of Israel. Israel was his covenant people, but from the beginning his desire was to bless the nations through Israel (see Gen 12:3 ^s). God’s heart for the nations is that they turn from idols to know him, the God of heaven who created the world (Jon 1:9 ^t; see 2 Pet 3:9 ^u).

Summary for Jonah 1:1-3: 1:1–2:10 ^v Jonah initially rejected the Lord’s commission to warn Nineveh of the judgment it had incurred because of its wickedness. 1:1 ^w Jonah son of Amittai was from Gath-hepher, a town located on the border of the tribal areas of Naphtali and Zebulun. He ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC; see 2 Kgs 14:25 ^x).
1:2 ^y By Jonah’s day, Nineveh already had quite a long history (see Gen 10:12 ^z). It was a key city in the Assyrian Empire until its destruction in 612 BC (see Nah 1–3 ^aa). Nineveh’s ruins are located across the Tigris River from the modern city of Mosul, Iraq.

• great city: See study note on 3:3.
1:3 ^ab Jonah’s attempt to get away from the Lord was futile. One cannot escape God (Ps 139:7-10 ^ac) or disobey his will without consequence (Deut 8:5 ^ad). Jonah’s reluctance to go to Nineveh is understandable, however. Assyria was an enemy of Israel known for its violence (Jon 3:8 ^ae; see also Nah 3:1-4 ^af). Jonah did not want these non-Israelites to have the opportunity to repent and be saved (Jon 4:2 ^ag).

• Joppa was a key port city on the Mediterranean coast (2 Chr 2:16 ^ah; Ezra 3:7 ^ai); it is now a suburb of modern Tel-Aviv.

• Tarshish was possibly the port city of Tartessos in Spain, in which case Jonah was attempting to flee as far as imaginable in the opposite direction from Nineveh. Tarsus in Asia Minor is another possibility. Some think Tarshish is a general reference to the sea or to any destination accessible by sea.
1:4 ^aj God’s power over nature is a prominent theme throughout Jonah (see Jon 1:4 ^ak, 9 ^al, 13-16 ^am, 17 ^an; 2:3 ^ao, 10 ^ap; 4:6-7 ^aq).
Summary for Jonah 1:5-6: 1:5-6 ^ar Jonah’s ongoing sleep was perhaps induced by God to advance the crisis to a point where it was clear that the sailors’ gods could not help (1:6 ^as).
Summary for Jonah 1:7-8: 1:7-8 ^at Use of lots was permitted by God for certain purposes (see Lev 16:8 ^au; Josh 18:6 ^av; 1 Chr 26:12-16 ^aw; Acts 1:26 ^ax); however, divination in general, as practiced in the wider ancient world, was displeasing to the Lord (Deut 18:9-13 ^ay).

• to see which of them had offended the gods: It was fairly common in the ancient Near East to assume that bad fortune was the result of a god’s taking offense.
1:9 ^az a Hebrew: See also Gen 41:12 ^ba; Exod 1:15 ^bb; 2:11 ^bc.

• Jonah worshiped the Lord, who in contrast to the sailors’ false gods made the sea and the land, and thus controlled them. Many gods were believed to have jurisdiction over specific realms and functions. The designation God of heaven likely conveyed the superiority of that deity over all others, as heaven is the highest realm. The Old Testament consistently proclaims that the Lord alone is the one true God (see, e.g., Deut 6:4 ^bd), while at times adopting language that reflects his superiority to the false gods that occupied the imaginations of pagan peoples (see Ps 95:3-5 ^be).
1:12 ^bf Throw me: Jonah’s calmness in giving this direction is surprising. But he was willing to face death with equanimity rather than give the hated Assyrians a chance to repent.
Summary for Jonah 1:13-14: 1:13-14 ^bg Instead, the sailors rowed even harder: It was now clear that Jonah was the one who had offended the Lord, but the sailors were apparently concerned that the Lord would be more offended if they killed one of his prophets.
1:16 ^bh awestruck: God’s display of power over the storm-tossed sea moved the sailors to worship. Although sacrifices and vows were aspects of Israelite worship (e.g., Ps 116:17-18 ^bi), it is unlikely that the sailors were completely converted from the worship of false gods; they probably added Israel’s god to their list. It is ironic that pagan sailors honored the Lord while the Lord’s prophet, having dishonored him, apparently plunged to his death (cp. study note on Jon 2:8-9).
1:17 ^bj Some critics consider it impossible that Jonah could be delivered from death in the belly of a great fish. In making this judgment, they oppose themselves to one of the book’s main theological themes—that God is supremely sovereign over nature. If God exists, and he created and controls nature (1:9 ^bk, 16 ^bl; see also Gen 1:21 ^bm), a miraculous event of this magnitude is not unfathomable. The book presents the fish episode as a historical event.

• No indication is given as to the species of the fish, nor is identifying a species crucial to validating the significance of the account. Granted God’s creative power, the fish that swallowed Jonah might well have been specially formed and appointed by the Lord for this particular event. If God exists and can work miracles, Jonah’s need for oxygen and protection from digestive processes poses no problem (cp. Dan 3:14-27 ^bn). On the other hand, certain species are large enough to have served the purpose (e.g., the whale shark), and similar incidents have been recorded in modern times.

• Jesus later referred to Jonah’s stay in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights in predicting the duration of his time in the grave (Matt 12:39-41 ^bo).

• Arranged for is the first of four occurrences of the same Hebrew word in the book (see Jon 4:6 ^bp, 7 ^bq, 8 ^br). All four occurrences speak of God’s effortless control over the forces of nature.