The Book of Jonah tells of a Hebrew prophet named Jonah son of Amittai who is sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh but tries to escape the divine mission.
It is the Haftarah, read during the afternoon of Yom Kippur to instill reflection on HaShem’s willingness to forgive those who repent.
Outline of the book:
Jonah Flees His Mission (chapters 1–2)
- Jonah’s Commission and Flight (1:1–3)
- The Endangered Sailors Cry to Their gods (1:4–6)
- Jonah’s Disobedience Exposed (1:7–10)
- Jonah’s punishment and Deliverance (1:11–2:1;2:10)
- His Prayer of Thanksgiving (2:2–9)
Jonah Reluctantly fulfills His Mission (chapters 3–4)
- Jonah’s Renewed Commission and Obedience (3:1–4)
- The Endangered Ninevites’ Repentant Appeal to the Lord (3:5–9)
- The Ninevites’ Repentance Acknowledged (3:10–4:4)
- Jonah’s Deliverance and Rebuke (4:5–11