Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Read it in contextJonah's prayer from the fish
Start reading at Jonah 1:17 (Jonah 1:17 to Jonah 2:10).
Jonah prays from the belly of the fish, and the LORD commands the fish to deliver him.
1:17Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
2:1Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
2:2And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
2:3For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
2:4Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
2:5The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
2:6I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
2:7When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
2:8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
2:9But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
2:10And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Jonah son of Amittai is the traditional attribution, but the final narrator's identity is unknown. Being the prophet in the story does not by itself establish him as its writer. Biblical references: Jonah 1:1; 2 Kings 14:25. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Jonah 1:1–1:17): Jonah, the ship's captain, and the sailors are involved in the storm and Jonah's flight from the LORD's commission. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israelite readers reflecting on God's mercy and the prophet's response. Nineveh hears Jonah's warning within the story; it is not identified as the original recipient of the completed book. Biblical references: Jonah 3:4; Jonah 4:2; Jonah 4:11. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Jonah's prayer and deliverance. Read Jonah 1:17 through Jonah 1:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The prepared fish and Jonah's prayer lead to his release and the renewed commission. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative does not give a year for the Nineveh mission. Second Kings locates a prophet named Jonah in Jeroboam's reign, but that verse does not date every event in this book. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrated movement involves the call to Nineveh, departure through Joppa, the sea, the fish, Nineveh, and the place outside the city. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Jonah's prayer from the fish (Jonah 1:17 to Jonah 2:10).
Start reading at Jonah 1:17.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly compares Jonah's experience with His own coming death and speaks of Nineveh's response to Jonah. The text provides these connections without requiring an allegory for every narrative detail. See 2 Kings 14:25, Matthew 12:40, Matthew 12:41. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Obey God's call and examine resentment at mercy shown to others. The final question asks the reader to weigh the value of people rather than merely Jonah's comfort. interpretation
Cited: Jonah 1:17, 2 Kings 14:25, Matthew 12:40, Matthew 12:41
Who wrote it, and how we know
JonahFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book is written about Jonah in the third person. Kings records Jonah as a historical prophet. 2 Kings 14:25
Early traditionTradition names Jonah.
What is debatedThe book does not claim Jonah as its writer.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Jonah 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Jonah's flight leads into the storm and the sailors' response, establishing the consequences of his refusal.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The prepared fish and Jonah's prayer lead to his release and the renewed commission.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Jonah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.