Studying Jonah 2
Below is the Studying Jonah Bible Study for Jonah 2.
Our hope and desire is that as you use this Bible Study you will begin to learn how to study the Bible on your own. Throughout the study, we’ll be using questions from the CHARA Bible Study Guide, which will show you how to get the most out of studying the book of Jonah, by discovering what questions to ask and how to stay focused on the original intended meaning of the text. You’ll notice these CHARA questions are BOLDED throughout this Bible Study, so you can easily see where and how this study method can help you discover more of the Bible for yourself.
Also, don’t miss the video that accompanies this Bible Study (below) as the Chara Project team talks about what we can learn from studying Jonah 2 (also available as a podcast!).
Jonah chapter one ended on a cliffhanger, as Jonah sank into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea and was swallowed by a great fish. Before we dive into chapter two, where Jonah cries out to God, let’s step back a moment to observe a few things about the historical significance and validity of Jonah. Afterall, it’s not everyday someone spends three days and three nights in the belly of a fish and lives to tell about it!
1. AUTHOR - What literary style(s) did the author use and how should that affect the way you read this passage?
Thus far the prophetic book of Jonah reads more like historical narrative (record of events that actually happened). But in chapter two we see another genre introduced - poetry. It is not uncommon to find more than one writing style within one biblical book. Yet the genre of Jonah has been the topic of debate - one worth looking into because it affects the way we read and interpret the book.
The controversy over Jonah’s genre is often attributed to the verse preceding Jonah’s poetic prayer:
“The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17, CSB)
Some believe that Jonah should be read as a parable or fiction instead of a historical account of what actually happened. Their anti-supernatural bias casts doubt on whether or not the miracle of Jonah being swallowed by a big fish could have actually happened.
Yet, there are several arguments that validate the historicity of Jonah, a few of them being:
1. If miracles are possible, there is no reason not to believe that God could appoint a great fish to intervene for Jonah.
2. Why would Jonah not be considered historical when the other 16 prophetic writings in the same collection convey historical prophets and real events. In fact, Jonah more closely resembles the historical narrative writings of the Bible in style than many of the other prophetic books which contain a collection of oracles.
3. Both the Old and New Testament point to Jonah as a historical figure. In the historical Old Testament book of 2 Kings, Jonah was recorded as a prophet living at the time of King Jeroboam II in (2 Kings 14:25). And in Matthew 12:40 Jesus spoke of Jonah being in a fish as a real event.
How does understanding the historicity and literary styles of the book of Jonah help give you confidence in how you should read the book?
2. CONTEXT - Bible: How does this passage fit into the big story of the Bible?
Many today have an anti supernatural bias and question the existence of miracles, but in Jesus’ day and culture these signs were much more common and even sought after. The religious leaders of the day demanded a sign from Jesus (Matthew 12:38), yet Jesus knew the many miracles He had done up to that point would not lead to their repentance (Matthew 11:20-24). So Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that no sign would be given to them except for one.
Read Matthew 12:38-40. What one sign did Jesus say would be given?
What major New Testament event did Jesus compare to Jonah being in the belly of the fish for three days and nights?
If the religious leaders couldn’t believe Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, they would never believe Jesus’ burial and resurrection, or His claim to deity and greatness over even a prophet of God when He said, “something greater than Jonah is here” (Matthew 12:41).
The idea of three days and nights was also something extraordinary. According to Jewish tradition, a soul would hover over a body for three days, meaning a person wasn’t considered truly dead until three days in the grave. This makes the three days' time even more significant, not only for Jesus’ death and resurrection, but also because as we’ll see in chapter 2, Jonah, in a sense, died to self while inside the belly of the fish for three days.
READ: JONAH 2
3. RESEARCH - Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have?
What stands out to you in Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2?
4. HISTORY - When did the events take place? When was it written?
In chapter two, Jonah retells what happened while he was inside the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. At the time it was a cry for help (Jonah 2:2), recounting the events later it was a prayer of thanksgiving (Jonah 2:9).
What do we finally see Jonah doing for the first time in Jonah 2:1-2?
5. AUTHOR - Structure: What is emphasized by the order of events, ideas, people, etc.?
At what point did Jonah finally pray to the Lord his God (Jonah 2:2, 7)?
6. CONTEXT - Bible: Does another passage in the Bible provide clarity?
Jonah finally turned to God in his desperation. Sound familiar? This is as common throughout scripture as it is in our own lives. Read the first part of the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-20 (we’ll get to the rest of the parable later).
At what point did the younger son in the parable turn to his father (Luke 15:14-17)?
List all that took place before he turned back to the goodness of his father.
The younger son left his father and ran off to a distant country. After he lost everything he returned to his father in his desperation. Similarly, Jonah ran from the Lord and didn’t turn back until he was in great distress.
7. APPLY - Reflect: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage?
What does it take for you to turn to God in prayer?
Can you relate to the younger son and to Jonah? Have you turned back to God in a time of great distress?
8. RESEARCH - Translations: Does another Bible translation add perspective or clarity?
Several Bible translations, such as the ESV and CSB, record that Jonah cried out to the Lord from deep inside “Sheol” (Jonah 2:2).
Reading other Bible translations, what clarity is provided on defining “Sheol” in Jonah 2:2?
9. AUTHOR - Speech: What is being communicated through figurative language or symbolism?
Jonah recorded his prayer using poetry, a very common and familiar literary style in the ancient world. He expressed his fear of death while inside the belly of the fish, or Sheol, which metaphorically was like a watery grave or tomb.
What other figurative or symbolic language do you notice in Jonah’s prayer? (Hint: you may wish to read Jonah 2:6 in several translations)
What insight does that provide in helping you grasp the state Jonah was in physically, mentally, and spiritually?
Jonah likely drew on familiar imagery from Mount Carmel, which extended to unseen depths in the Mediterranean Sea, when he wrote, “I descended to the [very] roots of the mountains” (Jonah 2:6a, AMP). By adding, “The earth with its bars closed behind me [bolting me in] forever,” (Jonah 2:6b, AMP), Jonah truly believed he would die inside the fish and he knew the reason why.
10. RESEARCH - Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have? What stands out to you when you read the passage?
God often speaks the loudest through the circumstances in our lives. Or perhaps that’s often how we best hear Him. Although, technically it was the sailors who threw Jonah overboard, Jonah knew who was truly behind their actions.
Who does Jonah recognize was truly behind him being thrown into the sea (Jonah 2:3)?
Jonah knew that God was behind the storm, the casting of the lots that singled him out, and even the reason he was thrown into the raging sea. But looking back, as Jonah records his prayer, he clearly saw that God’s providence didn’t stop there.
What else did Jonah recognize the Lord was responsible for in chapter 2 (Jonah 2:6, 2:9)?
How does this understanding help you see God’s provision and care for Jonah?
11. APPLY - Reflect: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage?
Jonah knew the storm and his salvation were designed to get his attention and bring about his repentance. Like Jonah, it’s often after the fact, that we can look back at the storms in our life and see God’s hand.
What has been your response or attitude toward God during the storms in your own life?
Can you look back and see God’s hand during that difficult season?
12. CONTEXT - Bible: Does Jonah 2:4, 7 quote or allude to another passage in the Bible and what understanding does that give?
The Lord’s presence, the very thing Jonah had wanted to escape in chapter one, he now seeks by looking toward the Lord’s “holy temple” (Jonah 2:4, 7), where God’s presence was in the Old Testament. From Jonah’s watery grave, the Lord heard his voice and answered him (Jonah 2:2).
Jonah’s prayer reflects several Psalms. In fact, cross-references in a Study Bible may point to a few Psalms such as Psalms 18:6, 31:22, 77:11-12, and 139:7-10.
Look up Psalm 139:7-10. How does Jonah’s experience align with the psalmist?
What is your reaction to Psalm 139:7-10?
13. APPLY - Ask: What do you learn about God - His character, attributes, or desires?
Even when Jonah ran from the Lord and disobeyed Him, God was always there, always pursuing Jonah.
What about God’s character stands out to you the most so far?
14. AUTHOR - Style/Narrative: What can you learn from the actions and mistakes of the characters in the story?
Jonah knew it was pointless to worship “worthless” idols (Jonah 2:8) and his experience inside the fish led the repentant prophet to renew his commitment with a vow (Jonah 2:9). It is not clear exactly what Jonah vowed, but vows were common in the ancient world and usually included some kind of ritual to perform - Jonah likely fulfilled his vow with a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
What changes have you seen in Jonah up to this point?
How comforting it is to know that God can reach anyone, anywhere! Including:
those who’ve never heard of Him, like the sailors
those walking in disobedience, like Jonah
and as we’ll discover in chapter three, even those so evil they seem completely unreachable, like the people of Nineveh.
15. APPLY - Pray: “Lord, what do you want me to learn and how should I apply this to my life?”
What’s your biggest take away from Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2?
God can do impossible things, even bring people back from the dead—spiritually or physically. We see this so clearly in Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2. But, the story isn’t over. God still wanted His message delivered to Nineveh and He still had work to do in Jonah’s heart. Chapter three begins with Jonah finally ready to submit to the Lord.
Join the Chara Project team as they talk about what we can learn from studying Jonah 2 (also available as a podcast!).
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Podcast: How to Study Jonah
An Overview of Studying the Book of Jonah