Difference between revisions of "Jonah (prophet)"

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Jonah is the prophet in the Book of Jonah famous for being swallowed by a great fish.

According to the book of Jonah

Jonah's call to prophesy

God orders Jonah to prophesy to the city of Nineveh.^[1] Jonah despises the Assyrians and attempts to avoid God's command by going to Joppa and sailing to Tarshish, the opposite direction and as far to the west as he could go.^[2] A huge storm arises while Jonah is fleeing.^[3] The sailors realize this is no ordinary storm, cast lots, and learn that Jonah is to blame.^[4] Jonah admits he is the cause,^[5] and states that if he is thrown overboard, the storm will cease.^[6] The sailors try to find some other way to escape the storm, but eventually throw Jonah overboard; the seas are calmed,^[7] the sailors fear God and make sacrifices and vows to him.^[8]

The Lord has a great fish swallow Jonah. While Jonah is inside the fish, he prays to God admitting his sin. After 3 days and nights, God has the fish vomit Jonah out.^[9]

Jonah's prophesies

(To be added)

Accuracy of the account of the fish

The NIV Bible commentary explains that the 3 days and 3 nights could mean as little as 1 day and parts of 2 others based upon how time was described in the Hebrew culture,^[10]

Jesus speaking on the story of Jonah

According the the Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Jesus accepted the facticity of Jonah's sojourn in the belly of a fish.^[11] For example, in the book of Matthew and Luke, Jesus stated that he would repeat the miracle of Jonah:

“

MT ^12:39 [Jesus] answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.^[12]

”

Other theologians believe that Jesus is using an illustration in the same way that we might quote one of His parables, and that this does not necessarily mean that the events literally happened just as the parables of Jesus did not literally happen. ^[13]

Other Bible Commentators on Jonah

Some theologians believe that the story of Jonah and the whale is an allegory prefiguring of the three days between the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. ^[14] ^[15]

Some Jewish scholars believe that it is a Midrash ^[16]

While some theological commentators believe the story is a satire ^[17].

According to some rabbinical traditions, the great fish that swallowed Jonah had been created in the begining for the purpose of swallowing Jonah.^[18]

Challenge from skeptics

Some skeptics note that a whale can not swallow a human being, but it should be noted the text never makes reference to the great fish being a whale.^[19]

References

↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:2
↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:3-4
↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:4-6
↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:7
↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:9-11
↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:12
↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:15
↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:16
↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:17 - 2:10
↑ Barker and Kohlenberger 1999
↑ Archer 1982
↑ Zondervan 2002, MT 12:39-41, see also MT 16:4, LK 11:29-32,
↑ http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/J/JONAH,+THE+BOOK+OF/
↑ http://www.answers.com/topic/typology-theology
↑ http://www.ctsfw.edu/library/files/pb/1253
↑ http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Prophets_1460/TOLiteraryProphets/MinorProphets/JonahSimon.htm
↑ http://seminary.csl.edu/facultypubs/TheologyandPractice/tabid/87/ctl/Details/mid/494/ItemID/40/Default.aspx
↑ Hirsch, Budde, and Schechter 2002
↑ http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html

Sources

Archer, G. (2006), Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Zondervan Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0310435709
Barker, Kenneth L. & John R., III Kohlenberger (1999), NIV Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0310578505
Hirsch, Emil G.; Karl Budde & Solomon Schechter (2002), Jonah, JewishEncyclopedia.com Retrieved on 2007-05-11
Zondervan (2002), Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0310929550

[1] Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:2

[2] Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:3-4

[3] Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:4-6

[4] Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:7

[5] Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:9-11

[6] Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:12

[7] Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:15

[8] Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:16

[9] Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:17 - 2:10

[10] Barker and Kohlenberger 1999

[11] Archer 1982

[12] Zondervan 2002, MT 12:39-41, see also MT 16:4, LK 11:29-32,

[13] ttp://www.bible-history.com/isbe/J/JONAH,+THE+BOOK+OF/

[14] ttp://www.answers.com/topic/typology-theology

[15] ttp://www.ctsfw.edu/library/files/pb/1253

[16] ttp://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Prophets_1460/TOLiteraryProphets/MinorProphets/JonahSimon.htm

[17] ttp://seminary.csl.edu/facultypubs/TheologyandPractice/tabid/87/ctl/Details/mid/494/ItemID/40/Default.aspx

[18] Hirsch, Budde, and Schechter 2002

[19] ttp://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A prophet in the Book of Jonah famous for being swallowed by a great fish.
+'''Jonah''' is the prophet in the [[Book of Jonah]] famous for being swallowed by a great fish.
 == According to the book of Jonah ==
 === Jonah's call to prophesy ===
-God orders Jonah to prophesy to the city of Nineveh.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:2</ref>  Jonah attempts to avoid God's command by going to Joppa and sailing to Tarshish.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:3-4</ref>  A huge storm arises.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:4-6</ref>  The sailors realized this was no ordinary storm, cast lots, and learn that Jonah is to blame.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:7</ref>  Jonah admits this,<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:9-11</ref> and states that if he is thrown overboard, the storm will cease.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:12</ref>  The sailors eventually throw him overboard, and the seas calmed,<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:15</ref> and the sailors worshiped the LORD.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:16</ref>
+God orders Jonah to prophesy to the city of Nineveh.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:2</ref>  Jonah despises the Assyrians and attempts to avoid God's command by going to Joppa and sailing to Tarshish, the opposite direction and as far to the west as he could go.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:3-4</ref>  A huge storm arises while Jonah is fleeing.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:4-6</ref>  The sailors realize this is no ordinary storm, cast lots, and learn that Jonah is to blame.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:7</ref>  Jonah admits he is the cause,<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:9-11</ref> and states that if he is thrown overboard, the storm will cease.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:12</ref>  The sailors try to find some other way to escape the storm, but eventually throw Jonah overboard; the seas are calmed,<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JNH 1:15</ref> the sailors fear God and make sacrifices and vows to him.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:16</ref>
-Jonah is miraculously swallowed by a large fish, where he survived for three days and nights.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:17</ref>  While in the great fish, Jonah prays to God and asks forgiveness and thanks God for being so forgiving, and, as a result, God commands the fish to vomit Jonah out.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 2</ref>
+The Lord has a great fish swallow Jonah.  While Jonah is inside the fish, he prays to God admitting his sin.  After 3 days and nights, God has the fish vomit Jonah out.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, JHN 1:17 - 2:10</ref>
 === Jonah's prophesies ===
 <!-- This section reserved for Jonah's prophesies -->
+(To be added)
-== Historicity and facticity ==
+== Accuracy of the account of the fish ==
 <!-- This section reserved for sources suitable for inclusion in a conservative encyclopedia -->
-The NIV Bible commentary states that the 3 days and 3 nights spent in the great fish was an approximation,<ref>{{hnb|Ref=CITEREFBarkerKohlenberger1999|Barker and Kohlenberger|1999}}</ref> although others believe this is an eisegesis.
+The NIV Bible commentary explains that the 3 days and 3 nights could mean as little as 1 day and parts of 2 others based upon how time was described in the Hebrew culture,<ref>{{hnb|Ref=CITEREFBarkerKohlenberger1999|Barker and Kohlenberger|1999}}</ref>
-=== Jesus on historicity of Jonah's sojourn ===
+=== Jesus speaking on the story of Jonah ===
-According the the ''Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties'', Jesus completely accepted the facticity of Jonah's sojourn in the belly of a fish.<ref>{{hnb|Archer|1982}}</ref>  For example, in the book of Matthew and Luke, Jesus stated that he would repeat the miracle of Jonah:
-{{cquote|MT <sup>12:39</sup> <nowiki>[Jesus]</nowiki> answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. <sup>40</sup> For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. <sup>41</sup> The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here..."<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, MT 12:39-41, see also MT 16:4, LK 11:29-32, </ref>}}
+According the the ''Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties'', Jesus accepted the facticity of Jonah's sojourn in the belly of a fish.<ref>{{hnb|Archer|1982}}</ref>  For example, in the [[book of Matthew]] and [[book of Luke|Luke]], Jesus stated that he would repeat the miracle of Jonah:
-Other theologians quoted in ''The Bible Encyclopedia'' argue that Jesus is using an illustration in the same way that we might quote one of His parables, and that this does not necessarily mean that the events literally happened in the same way that we accept that the stories in the parables of Jesus did not literally happen. <ref> http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/J/JONAH,+THE+BOOK+OF/ </ref>
+{{cquote|MT <sup>12:39</sup> <nowiki>[Jesus]</nowiki> answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. <sup>40</sup> For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.<ref>{{hnb|Zondervan|2002}}, MT 12:39-41, see also MT 16:4, LK 11:29-32, </ref>}}
+Other theologians believe that Jesus is using an illustration in the same way that we might quote one of His parables, and that this does not necessarily mean that the events literally happened just as the parables of Jesus did not literally happen. <ref> http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/J/JONAH,+THE+BOOK+OF/ </ref>
 === Other Bible Commentators on Jonah ===
-Some theologians argue that the story of Jonah and the whale is an [[allegorical|allegory]] prefiguring of the three days between the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. <ref> http://www.answers.com/topic/typology-theology</ref> <ref> http://www.ctsfw.edu/library/files/pb/1253 </ref>
+Some theologians believe that the story of Jonah and the whale is an [[allegorical|allegory]] prefiguring of the three days between the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. <ref> http://www.answers.com/topic/typology-theology</ref> <ref> http://www.ctsfw.edu/library/files/pb/1253 </ref>
-Others, particularly Jewish scholars, argue that it is a [[Midrash]] <ref> http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Prophets_1460/TOLiteraryProphets/MinorProphets/JonahSimon.htm </ref>
+Some Jewish scholars believe that it is a [[Midrash]] <ref> http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Prophets_1460/TOLiteraryProphets/MinorProphets/JonahSimon.htm </ref>
-More recent theological commentators have outlined reasons for thinking of the story of Jonah as not even a [[Midrash]] or [[allegory]] but as [[satire]] <ref> http://seminary.csl.edu/facultypubs/TheologyandPractice/tabid/87/ctl/Details/mid/494/ItemID/40/Default.aspx  </ref>.
+While some theological commentators believe the story is a [[satire]] <ref> http://seminary.csl.edu/facultypubs/TheologyandPractice/tabid/87/ctl/Details/mid/494/ItemID/40/Default.aspx  </ref>.
-== Rabbinical Tradition ==
+According to some rabbinical traditions, the great fish that swallowed Jonah had been created in the begining for the purpose of swallowing Jonah.<ref>{{hnb|Ref=CITEREFHirschBuddeSchechter2002|Hirsch, Budde, and Schechter|2002}}</ref>
-According to some rabbinical traditions, the great fish that swallowed Jonah had been created in the begining for the purpose of swallowing Jonah.<ref>{{hnb|Ref=CITEREFHirschBuddeSchechter2002|Hirsch, Budde, and Schechter|2002}}</ref>  According to other traditions, the crew of the ship threw away their idols, sailed back to Joppa, went to Jerusalem, and submitted to circumcision, and became Jews.<ref>{{hnb|Ref=CITEREFHirschBuddeSchechter2002|Hirsch, Budde, and Schechter|2002}}</ref>
-== Challenges from secular humanists, atheists, and agnostics ==
+== Challenge from skeptics ==
 <!-- This section reserved for challenges from notable secular humanists, atheists, and agnostics .  Please do not site any athiests blog.  When adding material to this section, please keep in mind that this is a conservative Encylopedia, and use the appropriate tone.  -->
-Not only some humanists, atheists and agnostics but many Christians also assert that if this event actually occurred, it must have been a miracle, as the gullet of a whale is only about nine inches in diameter, and it would not be physically possible for a whale to swallow a human being whole.<ref>http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html</ref> Moreover, bodies of squid recovered from the stomachs of whales show corrosion from digestive juices.
+Some skeptics note that a whale can not swallow a human being, but it should be noted the text never makes reference to the great fish being a whale.<ref>http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html</ref>
 ==References==