Bible Chapter Summary
Jonah 1 Summary
Jonah Flees from God's Command
The Lord commands Jonah to preach against Nineveh, but Jonah flees by ship to Tarshish to escape the Lord's presence. The Lord sends a great tempest that threatens to destroy the ship. After the sailors cast lots to discover who has caused the calamity, the lot falls on Jonah, who confesses his flight and offers to be cast into the sea to save the ship. The Lord prepares a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remains in the fish's belly for three days and three nights.
Key themes
Key verses
Jonah 1:2
“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”
Jonah 1:3
“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”
Jonah 1:12
“And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.”
Jonah 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.”
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