Jonah 1:1-3: God’s Call and Jonah’s Response

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: (Jonah 1:1)

Jonah is a prophet–the son of Amittai. Jonah’s name יוֹנָה, Yonah) means “dove”, and dove in biblical symbolism is often associated with peace, purity, or a messenger of God. For example, Genesis 8:8-12 recounts a dove who brings back an olive leaf to Noah, signaling that it’s now safe to go out of the ark–signaling peace and restoration.

Moreover, Jonah’s father’s name means truth or faithful in Hebrew. So then, Jonah is a messenger of truth called to bring peace and restoration. We will discuss this in more detail as we go along the story of Jonah.

In Jewish tradition, Jonah is sometimes identified as the son of the widow of Zarephath, whom Elijah resurrected in 1 Kings 17:17-24. While this connection is not explicitly stated in Scripture, it adds depth to Jonah’s role, suggesting that his life was marked by divine intervention even before his prophetic call.

Jonah is living during the time of Jeroboam II around 793-753 BC. Jeroboam II was the 13th king of the ancient kingdom of Israel, over which he ruled for forty-one years. This was a time of expansion and prosperity for the northern kingdom of Israel. It’s important to note that there is much animosity between the Israelites and the Assyrians, the major city being Nineveh, where God tells him to preach. This city was known for it’s wickedness and deep-seated animosity with Israel, and that’s why you see a reluctance from Jonah to go.

The Hebrew phrase “וַיְהִי דְּבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־יוֹנָה” (Vayhi devar-Adonai el-Yonah) translates as: “The word of the Lord came to Jonah. Why is this important? It introduces an important starting point and conveys divine revelation. It reveals that Jonah is called out to be God’s messengers to the Assyrian people. This phrase is common in Hebrew literature (Jer. 1:2; Ezek. 1:3; Num 11:25; 1 Kings 18:36-37).

Finally, God speaking directly “To Jonah” signifies a significant personal call. The use of Jonah’s full name and lineage, “son of Amittai” (אֲמִתַּי), roots the narrative in historical tradition and ties it to 2 Kings 14:25, where Jonah prophesied during Jeroboam II’s reign.

There are several parallel verses and stories in the Bible that mention Jonah as a historical figure. In 2 Kings 14:25, Jonah’s prophecy during Jeroboam II’s reign foretold the restoration of Israel’s borders. This earlier role as a prophet to Israel contrasts with his mission to Nineveh, where he is tasked with bringing a message of repentance to a Gentile nation.

In Matthew 12:40, Jesus says, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” This typology draws a direct parallel between Jonah’s deliverance and Jesus’ resurrection.