FocusFrom the fish to the land
Connection to the wholeThe prepared fish and Jonah's prayer lead to his release and the renewed commission.
interpretation Jonah 2:4
KJVThen I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
Read it in context
Jonah'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.
- 1:17 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.
- 2:1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
- 2:2 And 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.
- 2:3 For 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.
- 2:4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
- 2:5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
- 2:6 I 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.
- 2:7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
- 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
- 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
- 2:10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
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 2:1–2:10): Jonah prays to the LORD from the fish; there is no assembled human audience for this prayer. 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. Read Jonah 2:1 through Jonah 2:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? 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 2:1, Jonah 2:10, 2 Kings 14:25, Matthew 12:40, Matthew 12:41
Who wrote it, and how we know
Jonah
From 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.
Related passages
- I said Ps 31:22 Ps 77:1-7 Isa 38:10-14,17 Isa 49:14 Ezek 37:11
- out 1 Kgs 9:7 Jer 7:15 Jer 15:1
- toward 1 Kgs 8:38-39,42,48 2 Chr 6:38 Ps 5:7 Dan 6:10
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 2
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.
Jonah 1:1 Jonah 1:17 Jonah 4:11
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Jonah
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.
Jonah 1:1 Jonah 1:17 Jonah 4:11
The call refused
Jonah 1:1–16FocusFlight, storm, and the sailors
Connection to the wholeJonah's flight leads into the storm and the sailors' response, establishing the consequences of his refusal.
interpretation FocusFrom the fish to the land
Connection to the wholeThe prepared fish and Jonah's prayer lead to his release and the renewed commission.
interpretation The call obeyed and Nineveh responds
Jonah 3:1–10FocusWarning and repentance
Connection to the wholeJonah delivers the warning, Nineveh turns from evil, and the LORD does not carry out the announced destruction.
interpretation Jonah's anger confronted
Jonah 4:1–11FocusMercy and misplaced pity
Connection to the wholeThe final dialogue and the gourd expose Jonah's resentment and end with the LORD's question concerning Nineveh.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.