Jonah and the Great Fish

The words

1. Booth

   A temporary shelter, in Webster’s definition.

   Jonah builds a booth east of Nineveh and sits in its shade, waiting to see what will happen to the city.

   Jonah 4:5 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: booth (opens a new tab)

2. Cast Lots

   Use a chance procedure to decide a matter, in Webster’s account.

   The sailors cast lots to learn whose presence is connected with the storm; the lot falls on Jonah, who admits he is fleeing.

   Did you know?

   Proverbs 16:33 also describes a lot cast into the lap, attributing its outcome to the LORD.

   Jonah 1:7–10 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: lot (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 16:33 (opens a new tab)

3. East Wind

   After the plant withers, God prepares an east wind and the sun beats on Jonah’s head; he grows faint and wishes to die.

   Jonah 4:7–8 (opens a new tab)

4. Fear the Lord

   The sailors throw Jonah into the sea; when it becomes calm, they fear the LORD, offer a sacrifice and make vows.

   Jonah 1:15–16 (opens a new tab)

5. Fish

   The LORD prepares a “great fish” to swallow Jonah; after three days and nights, it obeys the command to vomit him onto dry land.

   Did you know?

   Matthew 12:40 later recalls the episode, using “whale” in the KJV where Jonah says “great fish.”

   Jonah 1:17 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 2:10 (opens a new tab) · Matthew 12:40 (opens a new tab)

6. Gourd

   A shade plant; the NET says “little plant,” and lexical identifications remain tentative.

   The LORD prepares the plant to shade Jonah’s head; Jonah rejoices over it, then becomes angry when it withers.

   Jonah 4:6–9 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Jonah 4:6 (opens a new tab) · Lexicons: gourd (opens a new tab)

7. Jonah

   Jonah preaches after the second call but resents Nineveh being spared; he explains that he fled because he knew the LORD was merciful.

   Jonah 3:1–4; Jonah 3:10 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 4:1–2 (opens a new tab)

8. Mariners

   Sailors, in Webster’s definition.

   The mariners first cry to their own gods and lighten the ship, then row hard to reach land before casting Jonah overboard.

   Jonah 1:5 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 1:13–15 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: mariner (opens a new tab)

9. Much Cattle

   Many animals, in the NET.

   Nineveh’s decree includes animals in the fast; the LORD’s final question about sparing the city also mentions “much cattle.”

   Jonah 3:7–8 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 4:11 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Jonah 4:11 (opens a new tab)

10. Nineveh

    After Jonah warns of overthrow in forty days, Nineveh’s people turn from evil and violence; the narrative says God withholds the announced disaster.

    Jonah 3:4–10 (opens a new tab)

11. Salvation

    Jonah ends his prayer with “Salvation is of the LORD,” after describing water, weeds and descent toward the depths.

    Jonah 2:1–9 (opens a new tab)

12. Ship

    Jonah pays the fare for a ship at Joppa, then sleeps below while the mariners throw its cargo overboard during the storm.

    Jonah 1:3–5 (opens a new tab)

13. Tarshish

    Jonah boards a ship bound for Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh; the NET note says its location remains uncertain.

    Jonah 1:2–3 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Jonah 1:3 (opens a new tab)

14. Tempest

    A violent storm, in Webster’s definition.

    The LORD sends a great wind, and the ship is threatened with breaking; the mariners struggle against a sea that keeps worsening.

    Jonah 1:4 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 1:11–13 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: tempest (opens a new tab)

15. Worm

    The morning after Jonah receives shade, God prepares a worm that strikes the plant and makes it wither, exposing him to the sun.

    Did you know?

    Fish, gourd, worm and wind share the KJV’s word “prepared,” linking the sea episode with Jonah’s shelter outside the city.

    Jonah 4:6–11 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 1:17 (opens a new tab) · Jonah 4:5–8 (opens a new tab)