The man jonah was the main character of the book, he was the son of amittai jonah 1. Background to the book of jonah sermon by johnny a. 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. The book of jonah intro to jonah biblica the international bible. Watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This was a time when the assyrian empire was reaching its most powerful.
This was a time when assyria was not a threat to israel. Caught in a storm, he orders the ships crew to cast him overboard. Ninevites believe jonahs message and repent in sackcloth and asheseven the king. If you have ever attended church, sunday school, or bedtime story sessions as a child, you have likely heard about the story in the book of jonah at some point. When studying scripture, it is critical to gain understanding of the historical background and cultural setting of the book or passage being studied. Title following the lead of the hebrew masoretic text mt, the title of the book is derived from the principal character, jonah meaning dove, the son of amittai 1. Jonah 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Along with a great influx of wealth into the israelite society during micahs time, came an. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. The critics, though certain of almost all of their objections to the bible, have not all decided whether it is based on history, or is a nature myth.
The book is named after its principal character, whose name means dove. Jonah chapter video clips fromthe heart of the sea3dcity of nineveh song voices instrumentaldisturbed. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart. Unlike other old testament prophetic books, jonah is not a collection of the prophets oracles but primarily a narrative about the man. The story has a long interpretive history and has become well known through popular childrens stories. It is one of trei asar the twelve prophets in the tanakh, and in christian tradition as oi dodeka prophetai or ton dodekapropheton, greek for the twelve prophets. Historical background to jonah the grace commentary. The book of jonah is the fifth book in the christian canons and the jewish tanakh. Since jonah states that nineveh was a very large city in jonah 3. Jonahs second opportunity to preach the gospel and do as god asked can reassure students that the gospel of jesus christ offers second chances for all who. 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. Jonah in the picture study bible the book of jonah with. Set in the reign of jeroboam ii, it was probably written in the postexilic period, some time between the late 5th to early 4th century bc. The name jonah means dove in hebrew, but jonahs character is anything but dovelike.
The book of jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 b. 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. Other than the mention of nineveh and of jonah, the contents offer little help in relating the book to its background. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. The events recorded in the book must have taken place prior to 612, when nineveh was destroyed. During jonahs years as a prophet, israel stood tall. Historical and cultural background for jonah preaching source. In the midst of the obscure prophecies before and after this book, wherein. One of the greatest prophets during the time of jeroboam ii was jonah the son of amitai, who, as a prophet disciple, had anointed jehu and who, therefore, enjoyed the kings benevolence. But, the prophet jonahs account of remarkable experiences with storms at sea, being eaten by. The book of jonah, written primarily in the third person, does not explicitly name the prophet as the author of his own account, but we have no reason to doubt either the inspiration or the historical veracity of the book. The storys title character, jonah, son of amittai, is never called a prophet, though god calls him to deliver. The lord called jonah to go to the great assyrian city of nineveh to pronounce judgment on it.
Along with a great influx of wealth into the israelite society during micahs time, came an increasing number of social evils. Nov 21, 2012 historical background to jonah november 21, 2012 by jeremy myers 5 comments when studying scripture, it is critical to gain understanding of the historical background and cultural setting of the book or passage being studied. It is one of trei asar the twelve prophets in the tanakh, and in christian tradition as oi dodeka. The book is also written as a historical narrative. Jonah is forced into a confrontation with god because of his attitudes 1. The most difficult and troubling passages often open their meaning and significance in the most beautiful way when the historical and cultural background of the text is grasped. The lord hears his cries and delivers him from the belly of the great fish. His tale is often referred to as jonah and the whale, but many people are unaware of the background of the popular sunday school tale. Mar 16, 2019 written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. Nov 21, 2012 although the book of jonah is not about world missions, the theme of gods mission to the world is definitely present in the book. Macdonald, only chapter 2, jonahs very personal psalm from the belly of the great fish, is in the first person. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. This summary of the book of jonah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of jonah.
A brief introduction to jonah jonah public domain audiobook at librivox various versions. Although the book is written in the third person, the traditional view is that jonah is the author of the book, and there is no persuasive reason to theorize about an unknown author. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. At times, an unwillingness to accept the possibility of miraculous occurrences the fish, the plant may be central to denying historicity, at other times it is a matter of literary genre 39 2. 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. The supposed legendary character of some of the events e. Dehaan writes, on yom kippur, the most solemn day of the jewish calendar, a big fish story is read in synagogues. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. Apr 12, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Ascribing the book to jonah by its title recognizes the common old testament pattern by which, e. We respond by noting how the hebrew verb form that jonah used is just as likely used to. Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14.
Intro to jonah biblica the international bible society. Jonah repents and goes reluctantly to deliver the message. 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. He is also the only ot figure that jesus himself likens unto himself matthew 12. Based around 780 bc, the book of jonah is written during the time of reign of jeroboam 11. This makes jonah one of the few prophets who hailed from the northern kingdom of israel. Jonah represents jesus as the resurrection and the life. Although some contend this book is a fable and that. Jonah or jonas, in the hebrew bible tanakhold testament, is a prophet of the northern kingdom of israel in about the 8th century bce. Many have questioned whether the book of jonah is historical. It is one of trei asar the twelve prophets in the tanakh.
He is the central figure of the book of jonah, in which he is called upon by god to travel to nineveh and warn its residents of impending divine wrath. Jonah is a wellknown figure in the old testament, who is responsible for writing the 32nd book most likely between 793 and 758 bc. Disobedience and revival are the key themes in this book. Jonah prophesied during the prosperous time of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14.
Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. But who then wrote the book and where do those intimate details of the story come from. Prophets were known by several termsboth greek and. Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of jonah. Historical background of the book of micah a short summary of micah background of the book of micah book overview of micah 17 themes in micah. The story of the prophet jonah is recorded in the book of jonah, which is part of the bible, and is read in the synagogue every year on the day of atonement. Jonah 1 god calls jonah to preach to the people of nineveh.
He was the earliest of the prophets and close behind elisha in his place in the old testament. The book of jonah has been attacked by the destructive critics. Following information from the minor prophets jonah by al maxey. The book of jonah is the fifth book in the christian canons and the jewish. Each has a call from god and a response from jonah 1.
In the halfcentury during which the prophet jonah ministered 800750 b. But god brings his people through fire, and through water. A reasonable conjecture is that jonah himself wrote the book sometime after his return from nineveh, perhaps near the end of his ministry. In the halfcentury during which the prophet jonah ministered 800 750 b. Jonah confesses he is to blame for the storm, and he is cast overboard and swallowed by a great fish.
The book of jonah is about an event that jesus said took place in history. He was part of the 15,000mile relay that carried the olympic torch to the one. The storys title character, jonah, son of amittai, is never called a prophet, though god calls him to deliver the kind of message prophets deliver. Jonah 1 background information with maps and images. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim in the hebrew bible. Jonah is portrayed as a recalcitrant prophet who flees from gods summons to prophesy against the wickedness of the city of nineveh. Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. Jonah was the son of amittai, who came from gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in joshua 19. The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused.
The book is replete with irony, wherein much of its humor lies. The issue is complicated somewhat by the use of the. Sep 02, 2016 jonah chapter video clips from the heart of the sea3dcity of nineveh song voices instrumentaldisturbed. Certainly, god desired jonah to proclaim a message to nineveh in the hopes that they would turn from their wicked ways. Summary of the book of jonah the story of the bible. God does not desire that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance 1 tim 2.
Jonah is commanded to go east to nineveh but flees toward the westernmost possible point 1. Cultural and historical considerations are especially important for preaching the book of jonah since geography and assyrian culture play a. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Literary characteristics unlike most other prophetic parts of the ot, this book is a narrative account of a single prophetic mission.
Concern for the salvation of all people, including ones enemies, is the proper attitude for people of god. If there are 1,000 steps between you and god, god will take 999 of them and leave the last one for you. God wants you back, but you must take a step toward him. The men of nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of jonas. Book of jonah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. When studying scripture, it is critical to gain understanding of the historical background and cultural setting of the book or passage being.
The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Jonah lived and ministered in israel during the 8th century bc, during the reign of king jeroboam ii 2 kings 14. Jonah does a runner ends up in the belly of giant fish. Jonah 1 background information with maps and images picture. Jonah was resurrected from the whale to pursue gods path that he had laid before him, which was to rebuke nineveh into repentance. The bible journey introduction to the book of jonah. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan.
Although some consider this book to be an allegory, according to 2 kings 14. Jonah was a picture of the death and resurrection of christ. Jan 02, 2020 jonah was the son of amittai, who came from gathhepher in zebulun called gittahhepher in joshua 19. Furthermore, jesus validated jonahs experience in the belly of the fish as factual matt. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, why hast thou done this. This lineage identifies him with the jonah mentioned in ii kings 14. Some evidence seems to support a date in the 8th cent. For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the lord, because he had told them. We respond by noting how the hebrew verb form that jonah used is just as likely used to indicate that the city had become a great city and. During this time the assyrians were occupied with matters elsewhere in the empire, allowing jeroboam ii to capture much of syria for israel. Harley sheffield gained celebrity status through an unusual mishap. An estimated time of writing would then be about 760 bc. It is an important book to both religious traditions christianity and jewish.
The most difficult and troubling passages often open their meaning and significance in the most beautiful way when the. Although the author of jonah is never identified in the book itself, jonah himself has traditionally been identified as the author. The lord called jonah to go to the great assyrian city of nineveh to pronounce judgment upon it. According to the opening verse, jonah is the son of amittai. Jonah is the only minor prophet ever to be mentioned by jesus christ. A subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies.
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