Bible character overview - Jonah

Jonah was a prophet living in the 8th century BC. At this time, Assyria was the dominant empire, and it largely oppressed Israel. One day, God commanded Jonah to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and preach against it. However, Jonah attempted to escape this command by fleeing to the sea. He boarded a ship and set sail, hoping to evade God's directive.

God then sent a great storm that troubled the sea and threatened the ship. Jonah, meanwhile, was below deck and had fallen into a deep sleep. The sailors began praying to their own gods, and the captain went to Jonah, waking him and asking him to pray as well.

The sailors decided to cast lots to determine who was responsible for the storm, and the lot fell on Jonah. They questioned him about his background, and Jonah revealed that he was a Hebrew who worshiped the Lord. The sailors asked what they should do to calm the storm, and Jonah instructed them to throw him overboard, admitting that the storm was because of him. Although reluctant to harm an innocent man, the sailors continued trying to row to safety but were unsuccessful. They prayed to God, asking them not to hold them accountable for the death of an innocent person before finally throwing Jonah into the sea.

Because the people of Nineveh had turned from their evil ways, God relented and did not destroy the city. However, Jonah was very displeased and angry because he had harbored resentment toward the Ninevites for their wickedness. He complained to God, expressing his frustration that God had shown mercy to such a people.

Jonah then went out of the city and made a shelter to sit under, hoping for some shade. God provided a leafy plant to give Jonah relief from the heat, and Jonah was very pleased with the plant. But the next day, God sent a worm that attacked the plant, causing it to wither. Jonah was exposed once again to the scorching wind and blazing sun, and he became angry about the loss of the plant.

God said to Jonah, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”