Jonah: Summary & Key Themes

The Book of Jonah at a glance, before you read it.

Written by	Jonah (traditional)
Written for	Israel
Type	Minor prophet
Chapters	4
Position	Book 32 of 66 · book 32 of the Old Testament

Summary

Jonah runs from God’s call to Nineveh, is swallowed by a great fish, preaches, and then sulks when God shows mercy.

Main themes

God’s mercy
obedience
compassion for outsiders

Key verse

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD .

Jonah 2:9 (KJV)

How to read Jonah

Read it in one sitting first; it is short enough. Ask three questions as you go: what did this mean to the first readers, what does it show about God, and what does it ask of me?

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