Book of jonah background

It is an important book to both religious traditions christianity and jewish. God does not desire that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance 1 tim 2. The historicity and assyrian background of the book of. The storys title character, jonah, son of amittai, is never called a prophet, though god calls him to deliver. When the call of god came to him, jonah could not see beyond his own selfish desire for god to punish the assyrians.

Other than the mention of nineveh and of jonah, the contents offer little help in relating the book to its background. The book of jonah is a book of the neviim prophets in the hebrew bible. Teaching the historical and cultural background of jonah is necessary if your audience is to fully understand the lesson of the book. We are not really told whether jonah fully understood gods love and compassion, but we might think that he did. Through some supernatural events, god convinced him to obey and carry out the lords plan. Ancient nineveh background bible study bible history online. The title of the book is the name of the main character, jonah. Though the book does not identify its author, tradition has ascribed it to. Although the book of jonah is not about world missions, the theme of gods mission to the world is definitely present in the book. The book of jonah, containing the wellknown story of jonah in the stomach of a fish for three days, is a narrative about. When studying scripture, it is critical to gain understanding of the historical background and cultural setting of the book or passage being studied.

The book is anonymous, and there are no indicators elsewhere in scripture to identify the author. Jonah 1 background information with maps and images picture. Many have questioned whether the book of jonah is historical. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, why hast thou done this. Concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism s. 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. The purpose of this book is to show that god is a merciful and gracious god. This was a time when assyria was not a threat to israel. Previous cities like asshur and calah were ancient capitals of assyria, but nineveh became most famous in the seventh century bc. The man jonah was the main character of the book, he was the son of amittai jonah 1. Jonah 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.

Jonah goes to nineveh and prophesies of the peoples destruction. 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. Jonah 1 background information with maps and images. Key personalities include jonah, the captain and the ships crew and the people of nineveh. Some evidence seems to support a date in the 8th cent. In the halfcentury during which the prophet jonah ministered 800750 b. But, the prophet jonahs account of remarkable experiences with storms at sea, being eaten by. 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. 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. Jonah attempted to escape the lords calling by sailing from the seaport of joppa to tarshish, which was probably on the shores of the western mediterranean.

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. Here it is not the external historical surroundings which concern us. The book is named after its principal character, whose name means dove. For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the lord, because he had told them. Although the author of jonah is never identified in the book itself, jonah himself has traditionally been identified as the author. We read nowhere in the book that jonah confessed his sin and received a new heart. Jonahs actions highlight the animosity the israelites felt toward the assyrians due to their violent and wicked past. Jonah is assumed to have been a genuine sign to the people of ninevah. Jonah was a prophet of the lord and he was called to deliver a message of repentance to the city of nineveh which was the capital of the assyrian empire. Watch our overview video on the book of jonah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Background to the book of jonah sermon by johnny a. 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. Unpublished class notes in 103 introduction to hebrew exegesis.

Our lord further certifies to the historicity of the book of jonah by his reference to the great prophets preaching. Listen to chuck swindoll s overview of jonah in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. T he book of jonah is an old testament story which tells about how the prophet jonah refused to follow the lord. Jonah prophesied during the peaceful and prosperous time of jeroboam ii 2 kings 14. 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 account contains details that appear to be exaggerations, which has raised questions for some readers about how much of the book is historical. Intro to jonah biblica the international bible society.

Date since jonah prophesied during the reign of jeroboam ii 782753. Jonah lived and ministered in israel during the 8th century bc, during the reign of king jeroboam ii 2 kings 14. Unlike other prophetic books in the old testament, the book of jonah is not a record of jonahs prophecies but a narrative about the prophets experiences. This was step 2 of an inductive bible study seminar based on the book of jonah, that we conducted at the university of the nations in kona, hawaii on 27 feb 2015. The book of jonah is narrative history and a prophetic oracle. The events recorded in the book must have taken place prior to 612, when nineveh was destroyed.

Ascribing the book to jonah by its title recognizes the common old testament pattern by which, e. This page offers introductory and background information for the old testament book of jonah, including authorship, purpose, and historical background. Jonah represents jesus as the resurrection and the life. Let us begin by looking at the background of the book of jonah. The lord called jonah to go to the great assyrian city of nineveh to pronounce judgment on it. The issue is complicated somewhat by the use of the.

Written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b. Literary characteristics unlike most other prophetic parts of the ot, this book is a narrative account of a single prophetic mission. While jonah eventually did what he was asked to do, the book closes with showing jonah as a bitter man. Based on the historical and linguistic issues, the book of jonah reflects four major themes. The people of ninevah are assumed to have repented, and to be among those who will judge jesus generation in the future. 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. The book of jonah is the fifth book in the christian canons and the jewish tanakh. The word of the lord came to jonah and jonah refused. Macdonald, only chapter 2, jonahs very personal psalm from the belly of the great fish, is in the first person. The following diagram shows how many times and where in micah words of comfort and hope are used compared to words of warning and judgment. Ancient nineveh background bible study bible history. Ancient nineveh ancient manners and customs, daily life, cultures, bible lands. Jonah is the only book in the bible that ends with a question.

In the case of the book of jonah the historical background must be considered from a point of view different from that of the prophetical books in the stricter sense. Eventually he obeyed the lord and traveled overland to nineveh. The book of jonah is a subversive story about a rebellious prophet who. He was gods instrument to carry out gods will on earth. Mar 16, 2019 written by the prophet jonah, son of amittai, around 785760 b.

Dive into an intriguing tale of mercy in the book of jonah. 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. 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. According to the opening verse, jonah is the son of amittai. Caught in a storm, he orders the ships crew to cast him overboard. Jonah missed a golden opportunity to obey god, but by the grace of god, god allowed jonah to rebound. This did not mean, however, that jonah remained the same. Jonah 3 god again calls jonah to preach to nineveh. The lord hears his cries and delivers him from the belly of the great fish. Book of jonah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. 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. But, the prophet jonah s account of remarkable experiences with storms at sea, being eaten by. Apr 09, 2015 this was step 2 of an inductive bible study seminar based on the book of jonah, that we conducted at the university of the nations in kona, hawaii on 27 feb 2015.

Book of jonah historical background dan symonds youtube. Jonah was resurrected from the whale to pursue gods path that he had laid before him, which was to rebuke nineveh into repentance. The honour god put upon jonah, in giving him a commission to go and prophesy against nineveh. The distinctive nature of the book of jonah is revealed in several ways. Jonah was a picture of the death and resurrection of christ. He authored this book and told the details of his disobedience as well as gods grace and love for all people. 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 flees his mission chapters 1 2 jonahs commission and flight 1. Wishard according to the word of the lord god of israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant jonah, the son of amittai the prophet, which was of gathhepher. 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. The book of jonah is an amazing story about gods willingness to respond favorable to any and all who are willing to repent of their sins and turn to him. Historical and cultural background for jonah preaching.

Jul 17, 2017 so god taught jonah about his love and compassion. Jonah or jonas, in the hebrew bible tanakhold testament, is a prophet of the northern kingdom of israel in about the 8th century bce. The book of jonah recounts real events in the life and ministry of the prophet himself. Landscape the story begins in israel, moves to the mediterranean seaport of joppa, and concludes in nineveh, the capital city of the assyrian empire, along the tigris river. The foundational source for the book was likely jonahs own telling of the story after his return from nineveh. 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.

Concern for the salvation of all people, including ones enemies, is the proper attitude for people of god. Book of jonah overview insight for living ministries. Jonah is identified as a prophet and servant of god during the reign of king jeroboam ii of israel 2 kings 14. Book of jonah the god of the second chance sermon by. That same god is our god, and he still allows us to rebound, to have a second chance, to make a uturn, to do a doover. 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. 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. Here it is not the external historical surroundings which concern us, but the internal state of the country and its people. As christs remaining in the grave three days was not a fiction, so jonah s three days and nights in the great fish that god had prepared was not a fiction. The supposed legendary character of some of the events e. Nov 21, 2012 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 book of jonah highlights gods patience and loving kindness, and his willingness to give those who disobey him a second chance. Jonah confesses he is to blame for the storm, and he is cast overboard and swallowed by a great fish. The book of jonah stands as an important link in the prophetic chain, giving readers a glimpse of christs death and resurrection hundreds of years before they actually occurred.

Rather than being a series of oracles of the prophet, this book tells of an episode in the prophets life. Unlike other old testament prophetic books, jonah is not a collection of the prophets oracles but primarily a narrative about the man. A subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his god for loving his enemies. The most difficult and troubling passages often open their meaning and significance in the most beautiful way when the.