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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jonah/1-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/32_Jon_01_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jonah 1:17 - Jonah Cast Into the Sea and Swallowed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jonah/1-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jonah/1-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jonah/">Jonah</a> > <a href="/jonah/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jonah/1-16.htm" title="Jonah 1:16">◄</a> Jonah 1:17 <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm" title="Jonah 2:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/jonah/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jonah/1.htm">New International Version</a> Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/nlt/jonah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. <a href="/esv/jonah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/bsb/jonah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. <a href="/kjv/jonah/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/nkjv/jonah/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/nasb_/jonah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And the LORD designated a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights. <a href="/nasb/jonah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/nasb77/jonah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/lsb/jonah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Yahweh appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/amp/jonah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now the LORD had prepared (appointed, destined) a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/csb/jonah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/hcsb/jonah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now the LORD had appointed a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/asv/jonah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Jehovah prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/cev/jonah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The LORD sent a big fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. <a href="/erv/jonah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the LORD prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/gwt/jonah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The LORD sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. <a href="/gnt/jonah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> At the LORD's command a large fish swallowed Jonah, and he was inside the fish for three days and three nights. <a href="/isv/jonah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now the LORD had prepared a large sea creature to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the sea creature for three days and three nights. <a href="/msb/jonah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. <a href="/net/jonah/1.htm">NET Bible</a> The LORD sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/nheb/jonah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The LORD prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/wbt/jonah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/web/jonah/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Yahweh prepared a huge fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jonah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH appoints a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah is in the bowels of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/ylt/jonah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah appointeth a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah is in the bowels of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/slt/jonah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah will prepare a great fish to swallow down Jonah: and Jonah will be in the bowels of the fish three days and three nights.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jonah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonas: and Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/cpdv/jonah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 2:1>And the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. <a href="/nabre/jonah/1.htm">New American Bible</a> But the LORD sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/nrsvce/jonah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But the LORD provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jonah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now the LORD had prepared a great fish, and it swallowed up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/hpbt/jonah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH prepared a great fish and it swallowed Yonan, and Yonan was in the intestines of the fish for three days and three nights <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jonah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the LORD prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. <a href="/sep/jonah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Now the Lord had commanded a great whale to swallow up Jonas: and Jonas was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights. <a href="/parallel/jonah/1-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfTdDqEKJXA?start=180" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jonah/1.htm">Jonah Cast Into the Sea and Swallowed</a> …16Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him. 17<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Now the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/4487.htm" title="4487: way·man (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll.">had appointed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/1709.htm" title="1709: dāḡ (N-ms) -- A fish. Or dag; from dagah; a fish; or perhaps rather from da'ag; but still better from da'ag; a fish.">fish</a> <a href="/hebrew/1104.htm" title="1104: liḇ·lō·a‘ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To swallow down, swallow up, engulf. A primitive root; to make away with; generally, to destroy.">to swallow</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3124.htm" title="3124: yō·w·nāh (N-proper-ms) -- An Israelite. prophet. The same as yownah; Jonah, An Israelite.">Jonah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3124.htm" title="3124: yō·w·nāh (N-proper-ms) -- An Israelite. prophet. The same as yownah; Jonah, An Israelite.">and Jonah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">spent</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šāh (Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: ū·šə·lō·šāh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">and three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: lê·lō·wṯ (N-mp) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">nights</a> <a href="/hebrew/4578.htm" title="4578: bim·‘ê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Internal organs, inward parts, belly. ">in the belly</a> <a href="/hebrew/1709.htm" title="1709: had·dāḡ (Art:: N-ms) -- A fish. Or dag; from dagah; a fish; or perhaps rather from da'ag; but still better from da'ag; a fish.">of the fish.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a> For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. <a href="/luke/11-30.htm">Luke 11:30</a> For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Matthew 16:4</a> A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away. <a href="/mark/8-12.htm">Mark 8:12</a> Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” <a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-21</a> Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. <a href="/romans/6-4.htm">Romans 6:4</a> We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-4.htm">1 Corinthians 15:4</a> that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, <a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24</a> But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip. <a href="/acts/13-30.htm">Acts 13:30</a> But God raised Him from the dead, <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">1 Peter 3:18-20</a> For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, / in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison / who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. <a href="/psalms/139-9.htm">Psalm 139:9-10</a> If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, / even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4-6</a> The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. / The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. / In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears. <a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Psalm 42:7</a> Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me. <a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6-7</a> You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths. / Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah <a href="/psalms/107-23.htm">Psalm 107:23-30</a> Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.the Lord.<a href="/jonah/4-6.htm">Jonah 4:6</a> And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.<a href="/genesis/1-21.htm">Genesis 1:21</a> And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.<a href="/psalms/104-25.htm">Psalm 104:25,26</a> So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts… in.<a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a> For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.<a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Matthew 16:4</a> A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.<a href="/luke/11-30.htm">Luke 11:30</a> For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.belly.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/12-9.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/daniel/5-21.htm">Appointeth</a> <a href="/daniel/2-32.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/amos/4-2.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/jonah/1-16.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-23.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/jonah/1-15.htm">Jonah</a> <a href="/amos/3-12.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Nights</a> <a href="/hosea/6-3.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-15.htm">Provided</a> <a href="/amos/4-12.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-3.htm">Stomach</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-16.htm">Swallow</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jonah/4-6.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/jonah/4-6.htm">Appointeth</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Great</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Jonah</a> <a href="/jonah/2-10.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/matthew/4-2.htm">Nights</a> <a href="/jonah/4-6.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/jonah/4-7.htm">Provided</a> <a href="/jonah/4-7.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Stomach</a> <a href="/matthew/23-24.htm">Swallow</a> <a href="/jonah/3-3.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jonah 1</div>1. <a href="/jonah/1-1.htm">Jonah, sent to Nineveh, flees to Tarshish.</a> 4. <a href="/jonah/1-4.htm">He is betrayed by a great storm;</a> 11. <a href="/jonah/1-11.htm">thrown into the sea;</a> 17. <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">and swallowed by a fish.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jonah/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jonah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jonah/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and control over creation. The term "appointed" indicates divine intervention, suggesting that the great fish was specifically prepared by God for this purpose. The identity of the "great fish" has been debated, with some suggesting a whale or a large sea creature. The focus, however, is on God's miraculous provision rather than the species of the creature. This event demonstrates God's ability to use nature to fulfill His purposes, similar to how He used the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-11) or the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14). The swallowing of Jonah can also be seen as a form of divine discipline and protection, preventing him from drowning and giving him time to repent.and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish The duration of "three days and three nights" is significant and symbolic in biblical literature. It often represents a period of trial, testing, or transition. This time frame is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to Jonah's experience as a foreshadowing of His own death and resurrection (<a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a>). The phrase emphasizes the completeness of the period Jonah spent in the fish, underscoring the miraculous nature of his survival. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the number three often signifies completeness or perfection, which may indicate the thoroughness of Jonah's transformation during this time. This period in the fish's belly serves as a turning point for Jonah, leading to his eventual obedience to God's command.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The sovereign God who orchestrates events and appoints the great fish to swallow Jonah. His actions demonstrate His control over creation and His desire to guide Jonah back to His will. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jonah.htm">Jonah</a> A prophet of God who initially flees from God's command to go to Nineveh. His time in the belly of the fish represents a period of reflection and repentance. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_great_fish.htm">The Great Fish</a> A creature appointed by God to swallow Jonah. This event is a miraculous intervention by God, serving as both a means of discipline and deliverance for Jonah. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea</a> Represents the chaos and danger from which Jonah is saved. It is also a place of divine encounter and transformation for Jonah. 5. <a href="/topical/t/three_days_and_three_nights.htm">Three Days and Three Nights</a> A significant period that symbolizes completeness and foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who also spent three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_control.htm">God's Sovereignty and Control</a> God is in control of all creation, including the great fish. His sovereignty ensures that His purposes will be accomplished, even through miraculous means. <a href="/topical/t/the_opportunity_for_repentance.htm">The Opportunity for Repentance</a> Jonah's time in the fish is a period of reflection and repentance. God often uses difficult circumstances to bring us back to Him and realign us with His will. <a href="/topical/f/foreshadowing_of_christ's_resurrection.htm">Foreshadowing of Christ's Resurrection</a> Jonah's three days and nights in the fish prefigure Christ's death and resurrection, reminding us of the hope and new life we have in Jesus. <a href="/topical/g/god's_relentless_pursuit.htm">God's Relentless Pursuit</a> God pursues Jonah despite his disobedience, demonstrating His relentless love and desire for reconciliation with His people. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_divine_appointments.htm">The Power of Divine Appointments</a> Just as God appointed the fish, He appoints circumstances in our lives to fulfill His purposes. We are called to trust His divine appointments, even when they are uncomfortable.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jonah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jonah 1</a> <a href="/q/did_jonah_die_inside_the_fish.htm">Did Jonah die inside the fish?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_jonah_survive_in_a_fish.htm">How could Jonah physically survive inside a fish for three days without being digested or suffocating? (Jonah 2:1) </a> <a href="/q/how_is_jonah's_fish_survival_plausible.htm">In Matthew 16:4, Jesus refers to the “sign of Jonah,” yet there’s no historical or scientific proof for Jonah’s survival in a fish’s belly—how is this plausible? </a> <a href="/q/why_no_evidence_for_jonah's_entrapment.htm">Why is there no known historical or archaeological evidence to substantiate Jonah’s aquatic entrapment? (Jonah 2:10) </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jonah/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Now the Lord.--In the Hebrew, Jonah 2 commences with this verse.Had prepared.--The pluperfect is misleading. Render appointed, and comp. <a href="/context/jonah/4-6.htm" title="And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.">Jonah 4:6-8</a>, where the same word is used of the gourd, the worm, and the east wind. The Authorised version renders the word accurately in <a href="/job/7-3.htm" title="So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.">Job 7:3</a>; <a href="/context/daniel/1-5.htm" title="And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.">Daniel 1:5-10</a>. Previous special preparation is not implied, still less creation for the particular purpose. God employs existing agents to do His bidding.A great fish.--The Hebrew dag is derived from the prolific character of fish, and a great fish might stand for any one of the sea monsters. The notion that it was a whale rests on the LXX. and <a href="/matthew/12-40.htm" title="For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.">Matthew 12:40</a>. But ????? was a term for any large fish, such as dolphins, sharks, &c. (See Hom. Od. xii. 97.) And unless we have previously determined the question, whether the Book of Jonah is intended by the sacred writer to be a literal history, or an apologue founded on a history or a parable pure and simple, tota h?c de pisce Jon? disquisitio, as an old commentator observes, vana videtur atque inutilis. The explanations given by commentators divide themselves into those of a strictly praeternatural kind, as that a fish was created for the occasion; or into the natural or semi-natural, as that it was a ship, or an inn bearing the sign of the whale; or that it was a white shark. (For the last hypothesis see all that can be collected in Dr. Pusey's commentary on Jonah.) In early Christian paintings the monster appears as a huge dragon.Three days and three nights.--See <a href="/matthew/12-40.htm" title="For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.">Matthew 12:40</a>, New Testament Commentary. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jonah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - § 4. Cast into the sea, Jonah is swallowed alive by a great fish, is whose belly he remains unharmed three days and three nights. Had prepared; Septuagint, προσέταξε, "appointed;" so in <a href="/jonah/4-6.htm">Jonah 4:6, 7, 8</a> (comp. <a href="/job/7-3.htm">Job 7:3</a>; <a href="/daniel/1-10.htm">Daniel 1:10, 11</a>). The fish was not created then and there, but God so ordered it that it should be at the place and should swallow Jonah. The prophet seems, from some expressions in his psalm (<a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Jonah 2:5</a>), to have sunk to the bottom of the sea before he was swallowed by the fish. A great fish; Septuagint, κῆτος (<a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a>). There is nothing in the word to identify the intended animal, and to call it "a whale" is simply a mistranslation. The white shark of the Mediterranean (Carcharias, vulgaris), which sometimes measures twenty-five feet in length, has been known to swallow a man whole, and even a horse. This may have been the "great fish" in the text (see Dr. Pusey on Jonah, pp. 257, etc.). Was in the belly of the fish. God used the natural agency of the fish, but the preservation of Jonah's life in the animal's belly is plainly supernatural. It is, indeed, analogous to the life of the child in its mother's womb; but it has besides a miraculous element which is unique, unless it was an actual death and revivification, as in the case of Lazarus. Also God ordained this transaction as a type of the resurrection of Christ. Three days and three nights; i.e., according to Hebrew usage, parts of the days and nights; i.e. one whole day, and parts of the day before and after this. Jonah was released on the third day (comp. <a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a> with <a href="/1_corinthians/15-4.htm">1 Corinthians 15:4</a>; and <a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Esther 4:16</a> with Esther 5:1). The historical nature of this occurrence is substantiated by Christ's reference to it as a figure of his own burial and resurrection. The antitype confirms the truth of the type. It is not credible that Christ would use a mere legendary tale, with no historical basis, to confirm his most solemn statement concerning the momentous fact of his resurrection. <a href="/commentaries/jonah/1-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had appointed וַיְמַ֤ן (way·man) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll a great גָּד֔וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent fish דָּ֣ג (dāḡ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1709.htm">Strong's 1709: </a> A fish to swallow לִבְלֹ֖עַ (liḇ·lō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1104.htm">Strong's 1104: </a> To swallow down, swallow up, engulf Jonah, יוֹנָ֑ה (yō·w·nāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3124.htm">Strong's 3124: </a> Jonah -- an Israelite prophet and Jonah יוֹנָה֙ (yō·w·nāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3124.htm">Strong's 3124: </a> Jonah -- an Israelite prophet spent וַיְהִ֤י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be three שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה (šə·lō·šāh) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> Three, third, thrice days יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day and three וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה (ū·šə·lō·šāh) Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> Three, third, thrice nights לֵילֽוֹת׃ (lê·lō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> A twist, night, adversity in the stomach בִּמְעֵ֣י (bim·‘ê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4578.htm">Strong's 4578: </a> The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart of the fish. הַדָּ֔ג (had·dāḡ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1709.htm">Strong's 1709: </a> A fish <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jonah/1-17.htm">Jonah 1:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">OT Prophets: Jonah 1:17 Yahweh prepared a great fish to swallow (Jon. 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