Macro-Structure of Jonah
Audience
Jonah follows a prophet sent to Nineveh and records both the city's response and his resistance to mercy. The narrative identifies the fish as a great fish prepared by the LORD; other zoological details are not supplied.
Key References
Explore the Structure
Explore the structure of each book.
| Section | Focus | Connection to the whole |
|---|---|---|
| The call refused Jonah 1:1–16 Interpretation | Flight, storm, and the sailors | Jonah's flight leads into the storm and the sailors' response, establishing the consequences of his refusal. |
| Jonah's prayer and deliverance Jonah 1:17–2:10 Interpretation | From the fish to the land | The prepared fish and Jonah's prayer lead to his release and the renewed commission. |
| The call obeyed and Nineveh responds Jonah 3:1–10 Interpretation | Warning and repentance | Jonah delivers the warning, Nineveh turns from evil, and the LORD does not carry out the announced destruction. |
| Jonah's anger confronted Jonah 4:1–11 Interpretation | Mercy and misplaced pity | The final dialogue and the gourd expose Jonah's resentment and end with the LORD's question concerning Nineveh. |
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.