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People of the Bible
Who Was Jonah?
In short
Jonah was a prophet who ran from God's call to preach to the city of Nineveh. Swallowed by a great fish, he cried out to God and was given a second chance.
When he finally obeyed and the city repented, Jonah learned a hard lesson about God's mercy, which reaches even the people we would rather see judged.
“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”
Jonah 2:9 · King James Version (public domain)
Jonah at a glance
| Name | Jonah |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | Jonah |
| Key passage on this page | Jonah 2:9 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Psalms 3:8
- Psalms 50:14
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
- Hebrews 13:15
- Psalms 50:23
- Psalms 68:20
- Psalms 116:17-18
- Hosea 14:2
- Romans 12:1
- Psalms 37:39-40
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Jonah in the Bible?
Jonah appears in Jonah. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside Jonah 2:9?
Readers most often set it next to Psalms 3:8, Psalms 50:14, Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, Hebrews 13:15.
Why does Jonah matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Jonah is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Jesus, our Shepherd, nothing about Jonah is hidden from you. We bring you Jonah, Jonah. Make us people who love one another there. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read the key passage, Jonah 2:9, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Jonah's story says about God, not only about Jonah.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of Jonah
You can read the story of Jonah in Jonah on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
