Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Jonas, more commonly known as Jonah, is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. He is the central character in the Book of Jonah, which is part of the collection of the Minor Prophets. The narrative of Jonah is unique among the prophetic books, as it focuses more on the prophet's personal experience and less on his prophecies. The account of Jonah is a profound exploration of themes such as obedience, repentance, and God's mercy.
Biblical Account:The Book of Jonah is a short narrative consisting of four chapters. It begins with God commanding Jonah, the son of Amittai, to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Instead of obeying God's command, Jonah attempts to flee to Tarshish, boarding a ship in Joppa. "But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port" (
Jonah 1:3).
As the ship sails, God sends a violent storm, threatening to break the vessel apart. The sailors, realizing that the storm is supernatural, cast lots to determine who is responsible, and the lot falls on Jonah. Jonah confesses that he is fleeing from the Lord and suggests that they throw him into the sea to calm the storm. Reluctantly, the sailors comply, and the sea becomes calm. "Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm" (
Jonah 1:15).
God appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remains in its belly for three days and three nights. During this time, Jonah prays to God, expressing his distress and repentance. "From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God" (
Jonah 2:1). God commands the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land.
God again instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh, and this time Jonah obeys. He enters the city, proclaiming that it will be overthrown in forty days. The people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believe God, declare a fast, and put on sackcloth. Even the king of Nineveh repents, issuing a decree for all to turn from their evil ways. "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" (
Jonah 3:10).
Jonah, however, becomes displeased and angry at God's mercy towards Nineveh. He retreats outside the city, where God provides a plant to give him shade. When God later causes the plant to wither, Jonah laments its loss. God uses this as a teaching moment, highlighting Jonah's concern for the plant and contrasting it with God's compassion for the people of Nineveh. "But the LORD said, 'You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and perished overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh...?'" (
Jonah 4:10-11).
Theological Themes:The account of Jonah is rich with theological insights. One of the primary themes is the sovereignty of God. Throughout the narrative, God's control over nature and events is evident, from the storm to the great fish, and even the plant. Jonah's account also emphasizes God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who repent, regardless of their past sins or status as outsiders to Israel.
Another significant theme is the concept of obedience to God's will. Jonah's initial flight from God's command and his subsequent experiences highlight the futility of resisting divine instructions. The narrative also explores the tension between justice and mercy, as Jonah struggles with God's decision to spare Nineveh.
New Testament References:Jonah is mentioned in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to him as a sign. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus compares His own death and resurrection to Jonah's three days in the belly of the fish. "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (
Matthew 12:40). This comparison underscores the typological significance of Jonah's experience as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work.
Conclusion:The account of Jonah serves as a powerful reminder of God's compassion and the call to obedience. It challenges believers to reflect on their own attitudes towards God's commands and His mercy towards others. The account of Jonah continues to resonate with readers, offering timeless lessons on faith, repentance, and divine grace.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Greek form of Jonah (Matthew 12:39, 40, 41, etc.).
(2.) The father of the apostles Peter (John 21:15-17) and Andrew; but the reading should be (also in 1:42), as in the Revised Version, "John," instead of Jonas.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JONAS (1)jo'-nas (Ionas; the King James Version, Jonan):
(1) Son of Eliasib (1 Esdras 9:1).
(2) Corresponds in 1 Esdras 9:23 to "Eliezer" inEzra 10:23.
(3) The prophet Jonah (2 Esdras 1:39; Tobit 14:4, 8).
JONAS (2)
jo'-nas (yonah, or yochanan; Iona):
(1) The name given inMatthew 12:39-41;Matthew 16:4Luke 11:29-32 the King James Version to the Old Testament prophet Jonah (the Revised Version (British and American) renders "Jonah").
SeeJONAH.
(2) (Ioanes): The name given inJohn 21:15, 16 the King James Version to the father of the apostle Simon Peter. Nothing further is known of him, except the different forms of his name. InJohn 1:42 the King James Version he is called Jona (compare alsoMatthew 16:17 the King James Version). InJohn 1:42;John 21:15, 16 the Revised Version (British and American) he is called John, with the marginal note "Gr Joanes." InMatthew 16:17 the Revised Version (British and American) Simon Peter is called Simon Bar-Jonah.
Jonas may be a contraction for Joanes (Keim). It has also been suggested that the father of Simon may have had a double name, Jona-Johannes (compare F. H. Chase in HDB, article "John, father of Simon Peter").
C. M. Kerr
Greek
920. Barionas -- "son of Jonah," Bar-Jonah, a surname of Peter... of Peter. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Barionas Phonetic
Spelling: (bar-ee-oo-nas') Short Definition: Bar-
Jonas Definition: Bar
...2495. Ionas -- Jonah, an Israelite prophet
... prophet NASB Word Usage Jonah (9).Jonas. Of Hebrew origin (Yonah);Jonas (ie
Jonah), the name of two Israelites --Jonas. see HEBREW Yonah....
Library
'A Greater thanJonas'
... 'A GREATER THANJONAS'. 'A greater thanJonas is here.'"Matthew 12:41.
There never was any man in his right mind, still more of...
JustusJonas
... JustusJonas. Portrait of JustusJonas JustusJonas " P.115. Among the
friends enlisted by [44]Luther as writers for the new hymn...
The Trial of Peter's Love to Christ.
... John xxi.15, 16, 17. "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 'Simon
son ofJonas, lovest thou... Simon, son ofJonas, lovest thou me more than these?...
'Lovest Thou Me?'
... 'LOVEST THOU ME?'. 'Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son ofJonas, lovest
thou Me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord...
The Catechisms of the Church of England. AD 1549 and 1662.
... 'Cranmer's Catechism,' which appeared with his sanction in 1548, was for the most
part a translation of the Latin Catechism of JustusJonas, and retains the...
Matt. xii. 38, 39
... He answered and said, [1740] An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign,
and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the ProphetJonas...
The True Sign
... in His spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign?" "There shall
no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophetJonas." As Jonah was...
Of the Practice of Loving Indifference, in Things Belonging to the...
...Jonas was much to blame in being angry because God, as he considered, did
not fulfil his prophecy upon Ninive.Jonas did God's will...
Psalm LXVI.
... was to be, He saith, "This generation crooked and provoking [2596] seeketh a sign,
and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign ofJonas the Prophet...
By the Sea once More
... While Christ and the disciples were eating together by the seaside, the Saviour
said to Peter, "Simon, son ofJonas, lovest thou Me more than these?" referring...
Thesaurus
Jonas (11 Occurrences)... 2.) The father of the apostles Peter (John 21:15-17) and Andrew; but the reading
should be (also in 1:42), as in the Revised Version, "John," instead of
Jonas.
...Lovest (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon
Peter, Simon, son ofJonas, lovest thou me more than these?...
Dearly (30 Occurrences)
... John 21:15 When, therefore, they dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 'Simon, 'son'
ofJonas, dost thou love me more than these?' he saith to him, 'Yes, Lord...
Attached (31 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 21:15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter,
Simon, son ofJonas, lovest thou me more than these?...
Ninevites (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:41 Ninevites shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and
shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching ofJonas; and behold...
Save (375 Occurrences)
... But he, answering, said to them, A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after
a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it save the sign ofJonas the prophet....
Seeketh (60 Occurrences)
... and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and
there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophetJonas: (KJV ASV...
Rise (417 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and
shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching ofJonas; and, behold...
Yea (867 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,
Simon, son ofJonas, lovest thou me more than these? He...
Thus (1271 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:40 For even asJonas was in the belly of the great fish three days and
three nights, thus shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three...
Resources
Did Jonah die while he was in the belly of the fish (Jonah 2)? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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