Is Jonah a whale or fish?

Though art and culture often depicts Jonah's fish as a whale, the Hebrew text, as throughout scripture, refers to no marine species in particular, simply saying "great fish" or "big fish".

What kind of animal was Jonah in?

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. The story is often referred to as “Jonah and the whale” (thanks to the English translation of the New Testament references as whale).

Who was swallowed by a whale in the Bible?

Jonah was saved from drowning when he was swallowed by a “great fish.” He lived for three days inside the creature, after which the fish “vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” Thankful that his life had been spared, Jonah took up his prophetic mission.

What does the Bible say about Jonah and the whale?

[15] So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. [16] Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. [17] Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.

Does the Bible say Jonah was swallowed by a whale or fish?

While sometimes referenced as “Jonah and the whale,” the Scripture says, “The LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah.” It may or might not have been a whale, but it's one whale of a true tale, nonetheless. Because of Jonah's disobedience to God's commands, the prophet was thrown overboard and swallowed whole.

Was Jonah Really Swallowed By A Whale?

What type of whale swallowed Jonah?

Jonah is then swallowed by a great fish. Spending three days inside its belly, the prophet prays to God and vows to deliver his prophecy, at which point the fish spits him out. Humpback whales can grow to as long as 18 meters (60 feet) and weigh some 40 tons.

How did Jonah died in the Bible?

Jonah is the central figure of the Book of Jonah, which details his reluctance in delivering God's judgement on the city of Nineveh. Subsequently he returns to the divine mission after he is swallowed by a large sea creature and then released.

What is the moral lesson of Jonah and the whale?

The short story has much to teach children in terms of moral lessons that they can apply to their lives. The main lesson is to trust the almighty and have faith in him as he has planned everything for everyone, and in the end, everything will be fine.

What is the moral of the story of Jonah?

The lesson here is that you can't hide from God. He is all-knowing, all-seeing and everywhere. Jonah learned this lesson under the most challenging of circumstances, and those that read his story can learn that same lesson without such hardship.

Who wrote the book of Jonah?

The book of Jonah is anonymous. We really don't have any idea who wrote it and the book doesn't really offer any clues as to who might have written it. Of course, a story like this is the kind of story that likely would have originated with the person it's about. That doesn't necessarily mean that Jonah wrote the book.

What did Jesus say about Jonah?

Matthew 12:40 has Jesus saying, “For just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster for three days and three nights, the Son of Man will also be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights too,” whereas in Luke 11:30, Jesus focuses on an entirely different scene from Jonah, and says, “For just as Jonah ...

How did Jonah disobey God?

Unwilling to warn Israel's deadly enemies, Jonah decides to run away instead of obeying God. But of course you can't run away from God, as we learn from the dramatic story that follows. God sends a great storm that threatens to destroy the ship; in their terror the sailors pray (each to his own god).

What is ironic about the story of Jonah?

The Book of Jonah is one continuous ironic statement. Jonah was an Israelite prophet sent to the Assyrians, who had conquered the Israelites many times in battle. Jonah, after preaching but one day, converts the entire city, including the monarch. The irony is found in what is not said.

Where is Nineveh today?

Nineveh was the capital of the powerful ancient Assyrian empire, located in modern-day northern Iraq.

What is Jonah's prayer?

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

Why did Jonah run away from God?

Jonah tries to escape from the command to proclaim the word of God in Nineveh by flight to Tarshish, because he is displeased with the display of divine mercy to the great heathen world, and because, according to ch. iv.

Why was Jonah upset when the tree died away?

God changed his mind when he saw their change of hearts. Jonah was angry. He claimed that because he knew God was a merciful and gracious God, he had not wanted to go to Nineveh the first time.

Why did God forgive the people of Nineveh?

God wanted Jonah and the people of Nineveh to be sorry for disobeying and to obey. Tell how Jonah and the people of Nineveh showed they were sorry for disobeying God. Imagine how God feels when we are sorry for disobeying. Thank God for forgiving us, and share with others the good news of forgiveness.

Is the story of Jonah a parable?

Jonah: a parable of calling.

What did God tell Jonah to do?

As the story is related in the Book of Jonah, the prophet Jonah is called by God to go to Nineveh (a great Assyrian city) and prophesy disaster because of the city's excessive wickedness.

What is Jonah's 5 word sermon in Hebrew?

Well, as the story unfolds, Jonah eventually finds himself in Nineveh, where he preaches the shortest sermon in the Bible, five words in Hebrew: “Forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!” That's it. All judgment, no hope. No fancy rhetoric either – just a single sentence of hopeless peril.

What is a famous quote from the book of Jonah?

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

What message did Jonah give Nineveh?

Jonah 3—Jonah prophesies the downfall of Nineveh. The people repent and the city is saved. (Note: Jonah 3:9–10 states that God repented of the evil that he said he would do to the people of Nineveh.

Did Jonah have a right to be angry with God?

When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live." But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?" "I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die."

What is the spiritual meaning of Nineveh?

Nineveh was a large pagan city that symbolized enmity with God.