Difference between revisions of "Jonah (prophet)"
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== Challenge from skeptics == | == Challenge from skeptics == | ||
<!-- This section reserved for challenges from notable secular humanists, atheists, and agnostics . Please do not site any athiests blog. When adding material to this section, please keep in mind that this is a conservative Encylopedia, and use the appropriate tone. --> | <!-- This section reserved for challenges from notable secular humanists, atheists, and agnostics . Please do not site any athiests blog. When adding material to this section, please keep in mind that this is a conservative Encylopedia, and use the appropriate tone. --> | ||
| − | Some skeptics note that a whale can not swallow a human being, but it should be noted the text never makes reference to the great fish being a whale.<ref>http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html</ref> | + | Some skeptics note that a whale can not swallow a human being, but it should be noted the text never makes reference to the great fish being a whale.<ref>http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html</ref> Moreover, regardless of the species of creature that was said to have swallowed Jonah, skeptics claim that it is unlikely that he would have remained unaffected by normal digestive processes, since food recovered from the belly of any large creature shows signs of corrosion by digestive acids. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 16:15, May 22, 2007
Jonah is the prophet in the Book of Jonah famous for being swallowed by a great fish.
According to the book of Jonah
Jonah's call to prophesy
God orders Jonah to prophesy to the city of Nineveh.[1] Jonah despises the Assyrians and attempts to avoid God's command by going to Joppa and sailing to Tarshish, the opposite direction and as far to the west as he could go.[2] A huge storm arises while Jonah is fleeing.[3] The sailors realize this is no ordinary storm, cast lots, and learn that Jonah is to blame.[4] Jonah admits he is the cause,[5] and states that if he is thrown overboard, the storm will cease.[6] The sailors try to find some other way to escape the storm, but eventually throw Jonah overboard; the seas are calmed,[7] the sailors fear God and make sacrifices and vows to him.[8]
The Lord has a great fish swallow Jonah. While Jonah is inside the fish, he prays to God admitting his sin. After 3 days and nights, God has the fish vomit Jonah out.[9]
Jonah's prophesies
(To be added)
Accuracy of the account of the fish
The NIV Bible commentary explains that the 3 days and 3 nights could mean as little as 1 day and parts of 2 others based upon how time was described in the Hebrew culture,[10]
Jesus speaking on the story of Jonah
According the the Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Jesus accepted the facticity of Jonah's sojourn in the belly of a fish.[11] For example, in the book of Matthew and Luke, Jesus stated that he would repeat the miracle of Jonah:
| “ | MT 12:39 [Jesus] answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.[12] | ” |
Other theologians believe that Jesus is using an illustration in the same way that we might quote one of His parables, and that this does not necessarily mean that the events literally happened just as the parables of Jesus did not literally happen. [13]
Other Bible Commentators on Jonah
Some theologians believe that the story of Jonah and the whale is an allegory prefiguring of the three days between the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [14] [15]
Some Jewish scholars believe that it is a Midrash [16]
While some theological commentators believe the story is a satire [17].
According to some rabbinical traditions, the great fish that swallowed Jonah had been created in the begining for the purpose of swallowing Jonah.[18]
Challenge from skeptics
Some skeptics note that a whale can not swallow a human being, but it should be noted the text never makes reference to the great fish being a whale.[19] Moreover, regardless of the species of creature that was said to have swallowed Jonah, skeptics claim that it is unlikely that he would have remained unaffected by normal digestive processes, since food recovered from the belly of any large creature shows signs of corrosion by digestive acids.
References
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:2
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:3-4
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:4-6
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:7
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:9-11
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:12
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JNH 1:15
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:16
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, JHN 1:17 - 2:10
- ↑ Barker and Kohlenberger 1999
- ↑ Archer 1982
- ↑ Zondervan 2002, MT 12:39-41, see also MT 16:4, LK 11:29-32,
- ↑ http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/J/JONAH,+THE+BOOK+OF/
- ↑ http://www.answers.com/topic/typology-theology
- ↑ http://www.ctsfw.edu/library/files/pb/1253
- ↑ http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/bible/TO_Prophets_1460/TOLiteraryProphets/MinorProphets/JonahSimon.htm
- ↑ http://seminary.csl.edu/facultypubs/TheologyandPractice/tabid/87/ctl/Details/mid/494/ItemID/40/Default.aspx
- ↑ Hirsch, Budde, and Schechter 2002
- ↑ http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/shore_whaling_industry.html
Sources
- Archer, G. (2006), Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Zondervan Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0310435709
- Barker, Kenneth L. & John R., III Kohlenberger (1999), NIV Bible Commentary, Zondervan Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0310578505
- Hirsch, Emil G.; Karl Budde & Solomon Schechter (2002), Jonah, JewishEncyclopedia.com Retrieved on 2007-05-11
- Zondervan (2002), Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0310929550