Title and Author: The book of Jonah is named after its central character, Jonah, whose name means "dove" in Hebrew. Traditionally, Jonah is considered the author of the book, although some scholars debate this. From a conservative Christian perspective, the book is viewed as a historical narrative written by Jonah himself, a prophet of Israel.

Historical Context: Jonah's ministry occurred during the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC) in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This was a time of relative prosperity for Israel, but also of spiritual decline and moral corruption. Assyria, with its capital at Nineveh, was a rising power and a threat to Israel.

Audience: The primary audience of the book was the people of Israel. The narrative serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and mercy, not only to Israel but to all nations, including their enemies.

Purpose: The purpose of the book is to demonstrate God's compassion and mercy, even towards those who are not part of Israel. It challenges the Israelites' understanding of God's love and calls them to repentance and obedience.

Genre and Style: The book of Jonah is a narrative, often considered prophetic literature. It combines elements of historical narrative with parabolic teaching.1. Jonah (Jonah 1:1)
Jonah is the main character of the book. He is a prophet whom God commands to go to the city of Nineveh to preach against its wickedness. Jonah initially tries to flee from this divine mission.

2. The LORD (God) (Jonah 1:1)
God is the one who calls Jonah to deliver a message to Nineveh. He is central to the narrative, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes and showing mercy to the repentant.

3. The Sailors (Jonah 1:5)
These are the men on the ship that Jonah boards to flee to Tarshish. They are initially pagans but eventually come to fear the LORD after witnessing His power during the storm.

4. The Captain (Jonah 1:6)
The captain of the ship is the one who urges Jonah to call upon his God during the storm, hoping for deliverance.

5. The King of Nineveh (Jonah 3:6)
The ruler of Nineveh who, upon hearing Jonah's message, leads the city in repentance, hoping to avert God's wrath.1. Joppa (Jonah 1:3)
- Joppa is a port city on the Mediterranean Sea. Jonah goes to Joppa to find a ship to flee from the presence of the Lord. It is a significant location as it marks the beginning of Jonah's attempt to escape his divine mission.

2. Tarshish (Jonah 1:3)
- Tarshish is a distant location, often thought to be in the western Mediterranean, possibly in modern-day Spain. Jonah intends to flee to Tarshish to avoid delivering God's message to Nineveh, indicating his desire to go as far away as possible from his assigned task.

3. The Sea (Jonah 1:4)
- The sea is where Jonah encounters a great storm sent by God. It represents the chaos and danger that ensue when Jonah tries to run from God's command. The sailors eventually throw Jonah overboard to calm the storm.

4. The Great Fish (Jonah 1:17)
- While not a geographical location, the great fish is a significant setting where Jonah spends three days and three nights. It symbolizes a place of reflection and repentance for Jonah.

5. Nineveh (Jonah 1:2)
- Nineveh is the capital of the Assyrian Empire and the primary location of Jonah's mission. God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach against its wickedness. It is a large and influential city, representing the heart of the Assyrian power and culture.

6. The East of the City (Jonah 4:5)
- After delivering his message to Nineveh, Jonah goes to a place east of the city to watch what will happen. This location is where Jonah builds a shelter and where God provides a plant to give him shade, followed by a lesson on compassion and mercy.1. God's Command to Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2)
- God instructs Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against it because of its wickedness.

2. Jonah Flees from God (Jonah 1:3)
- Instead of obeying God's command, Jonah attempts to flee to Tarshish by boarding a ship in Joppa, trying to escape from the presence of the Lord.

3. The Great Storm (Jonah 1:4)
- God sends a violent storm upon the sea, threatening to break the ship apart, causing the sailors to fear for their lives.

4. Jonah is Thrown Overboard (Jonah 1:12-15)
- After casting lots, the sailors discover Jonah is the cause of the storm. Jonah tells them to throw him into the sea to calm the storm, which they reluctantly do.

5. The Great Fish Swallows Jonah (Jonah 1:17)
- "Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish."

6. Jonah's Prayer from the Fish (Jonah 2:1-9)
- Inside the fish, Jonah prays to God, expressing his distress and gratitude for God's deliverance, acknowledging God's sovereignty.

7. Jonah is Spit Out (Jonah 2:10)
- "And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."

8. God's Command Repeated (Jonah 3:1-2)
- God again commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and deliver His message.

9. Jonah Preaches in Nineveh (Jonah 3:3-4)
- Jonah obeys and goes to Nineveh, proclaiming that the city will be overthrown in forty days.

10. Nineveh Repents (Jonah 3:5-9)
- The people of Nineveh believe God, declare a fast, and put on sackcloth. The king of Nineveh also repents and decrees that everyone should turn from their evil ways.

11. God Spares Nineveh (Jonah 3:10)
- "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."

12. Jonah's Anger and God's Lesson (Jonah 4:1-11)
- Jonah becomes angry that God spared Nineveh. God uses a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind to teach Jonah about compassion and His concern for the people of Nineveh.1. Divine Mercy and Compassion
God’s willingness to forgive and show mercy is a central theme. Despite Nineveh's wickedness, God sends Jonah to warn them, offering a chance for repentance. This theme is first evident when God instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach against its wickedness (Jonah 1:1-2).

2. Human Disobedience and Consequences
Jonah’s initial refusal to obey God’s command highlights human disobedience and its consequences. Jonah attempts to flee from God’s presence, leading to a storm that endangers the ship he boards (Jonah 1:3-4).

3. Repentance and Redemption
The theme of repentance is crucial, as both Jonah and the people of Nineveh experience it. Jonah repents in the belly of the fish, and the Ninevites repent after hearing Jonah’s message, leading to their redemption (Jonah 2:1-2; 3:5-10).

4. God’s Sovereignty
The narrative underscores God’s control over nature and events. God sends a storm, appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, and later causes a plant to grow and wither, demonstrating His sovereignty (Jonah 1:4, 1:17, 4:6-7).

5. Reluctance and Reluctant Obedience
Jonah’s reluctance to fulfill God’s command and his eventual, albeit reluctant, obedience is a recurring theme. Even after being saved, Jonah’s compliance is half-hearted, as seen when he finally goes to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-3).

6. God’s Universal Concern
The book emphasizes that God’s concern extends beyond Israel to all nations, including the pagan city of Nineveh. This is evident when God expresses His concern for the people and animals of Nineveh (Jonah 4:11).

7. Anger and Resentment
Jonah’s anger at God’s mercy towards Nineveh highlights human resentment and the struggle to accept God’s grace for others. Jonah is displeased and angry when God spares Nineveh (Jonah 4:1-2).

8. Prayer and Deliverance
The power of prayer and God’s deliverance is illustrated when Jonah prays from the belly of the fish, and God commands the fish to release him (Jonah 2:1-10).

9. Compassion vs. Indifference
The contrast between God’s compassion and Jonah’s indifference is stark. Jonah is more concerned about a plant than the fate of an entire city, while God cares deeply for Nineveh (Jonah 4:10-11).1. Prophet
- Description: Jonah is a prophet called by God to deliver a message of repentance to Nineveh. This role is seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate prophet bringing God's message of salvation to humanity.
- Reference: Jonah 1:1 - "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai..."

2. Sacrificial Substitute
- Description: Jonah offers himself to be thrown into the sea to calm the storm, which can be seen as a type of Christ's sacrificial death for the salvation of others.
- Reference: Jonah 1:12 - "Pick me up and cast me into the sea, so that it may quiet down for you..."

3. Buried and Resurrected
- Description: Jonah's three days and nights in the belly of the great fish are seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection after three days. Jesus Himself refers to this as the "sign of Jonah."
- Reference: Jonah 1:17 - "Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish."

4. Preacher of Repentance
- Description: Jonah's message to Nineveh is one of repentance, similar to Jesus' call for repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God.
- Reference: Jonah 3:4 - "On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!'"

5. Merciful Savior
- Description: Jonah's mission results in the salvation of Nineveh when they repent, reflecting Jesus' role as the Savior who brings mercy and salvation to those who turn from their sins.
- Reference: Jonah 3:10 - "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."1. Prophecy of Jonah's Commission to Prophesy Against Nineveh
- Prophecy: God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim judgment against it due to its wickedness (Jonah 1:1-2).
- Fulfillment: Jonah eventually goes to Nineveh and delivers the message of impending destruction (Jonah 3:3-4).

2. Prophecy of the Prophecy of Nineveh's Destruction
- Prophecy: Jonah proclaims, "In forty days, Nineveh will be overturned!" (Jonah 3:4).
- Fulfillment: The people of Nineveh believe God, declare a fast, and put on sackcloth. God sees their repentance and relents from bringing the destruction He had threatened (Jonah 3:5-10).

3. Prophecy of Jonah's Prediction of God's Mercy
- Prophecy: Jonah anticipates God's mercy, expressing his displeasure by saying, "I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster" (Jonah 4:2).
- Fulfillment: God's mercy is indeed shown as He spares Nineveh after they repent (Jonah 3:10).

1. Fleeing from God’s Mission  ( 1:1⁠–⁠17 )

a. Jonah’s Call and Flight  ( 1:1⁠–⁠3 )

b. The Great Storm  ( 1:4⁠–⁠10 )

c. Jonah Cast into the Sea  ( 1:11⁠–⁠17 )

2. Jonah’s Prayer of Repentance  ( 2:1⁠–⁠10 )

3. Fulfilling God’s Mission  ( 3:1⁠–⁠10 )

a. Jonah Preaches to the Ninevites  ( 3:1⁠–⁠4 )

b. Nineveh Repents  ( 3:5⁠–⁠10 )

4. Questioning God’s Mercy  ( 4:1⁠–⁠11 )

a. Jonah’s Anger  ( 4:1⁠–⁠4 )

b. The Withering Plant  ( 4:5⁠–⁠11 )