Jonah

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Yônâ (“dove”), a personal name used for an Israelite prophet.
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (8th century BC)
• Main References: Jonah 1–4; 2 Kings 14:25
• Key Connections: Son of Amittai; prophetic ministry connected to Israel under Jeroboam II and to the Assyrian city of Nineveh.

Who was Jonah?

Jonah was an Israelite prophet identified as the son of Amittai.
He is associated with the reign of Jeroboam II, during the Divided Kingdom.
The book bearing his name centers on his commission to proclaim a message to Nineveh.
His story highlights the reach of prophetic warning beyond Israel.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Received a command to go to Nineveh but attempted to flee by sea (Jonah 1:1–3).
• Event 2: Was thrown into the sea, preserved in a great fish, and prayed from distress (Jonah 1:15–2:10).
• Event 3: Proclaimed judgment in Nineveh, leading to citywide repentance and God’s relenting from disaster (Jonah 3:1–10).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Jonah’s account presents prophetic mission as accountable to God’s purposes, even when directed toward foreign nations.

Key Verse

"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." — Jonah 1:2, ESV