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Ancient Near Eastern Prophetic Features in Jonah’s Prophecies

Dong-Young Yoon 1

1서울장신대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper examines Jonah’s prophecy and his activities as being described in the Books of Jonah and Kings. Jonah’s prophecy recorded in the Book of Jonah is very short. The format of this short prophecy is similar to that of the ancient Mari prophecies. A Mari prophecy consists of a short prophecy and longer narratives that provides more context for the prophecy. This structure of the Mari prophecy suggests that the literary form of the book of Jonah is not the result of later editing, but rather preserves the original form of ancient Hebrew prophecy. Jonah pronounces judgment on the people of Nineveh. The people of Nineveh, however, take Jonah’s prophecy as an omen of future misfortune, so they don coarse sackcloth and declare a fast to avoid it. Their behavior seems to be part of a shroud ritual to ward off bad omens. As a result, Jonah is able to warn the people of Nineveh and save them from the coming judgment. Jonah’s deliverance is more clearly seen during the reign of Jeroboam, recorded in the book of Kings. Jeroboam was a wicked king, but Jonah proclaims a positive prophecy of territorial restoration. Like the prophets of Neo-Assyria, he functions as a royal prophet concerned with the welfare of the king and the stability of the kingdom.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.