Jonah in the Bible — The Prophet Who Ran from God

God called Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh — Israel's greatest enemy. Jonah fled by ship in the opposite direction, was swallowed by a great fish, prayed from its belly, and was vomited onto dry land. He preached to Nineveh, the whole city repented, and Jonah was angry about God's mercy. His story is about the scope of divine grace. Below are 5 key passages from the King James Version (KJV) on this theme.

What does the Bible say about jonah?

Who is Jonah in the Bible? Called to preach to Nineveh, he ran the other way — and ended up in the belly of a great fish. Jonah's story is about God's relentless pursuit, mercy, and a man learning that you cannot outrun God.

5 Bible Verses About Jonah (KJV)

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.”

Jonah 1:3 KJV Read Jonah chapter 1 →

“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly,”

Jonah 2:1 KJV Read Jonah chapter 2 →

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”

Jonah 2:9 KJV Read Jonah chapter 2 →

“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”

Jonah 3:10 KJV Read Jonah chapter 3 →

“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 KJV Read Matthew chapter 12 →

Read These Passages in Full Context

Frequently Asked Questions About Jonah in the Bible

What does the Bible say about jonah?
God called Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh — Israel's greatest enemy. Jonah fled by ship in the opposite direction, was swallowed by a great fish, prayed from its belly, and was vomited onto dry land. He preached to Nineveh, the whole city repented, and Jonah was angry about God's mercy. His story is about the scope of divine grace. Key KJV passages: Jonah 1:3, Jonah 2:1, Jonah 2:9, Jonah 3:10, Matthew 12:40.
What are the best Bible verses about jonah?
The most important KJV passages on jonah include: Jonah 1:3, Jonah 2:1, Jonah 2:9, Jonah 3:10, Matthew 12:40. Read all 5 passages free at The Living Sword Bible — no account, no ads.
Where in the Bible does it talk about jonah?
The Bible addresses jonah throughout both Testaments. Key references include Jonah 1:3, Jonah 2:1, Jonah 2:9, Jonah 3:10, Matthew 12:40. Explore every passage in context at thelivingsword.org.
What does the New Testament say about jonah?
New Testament scriptures on jonah: Matthew 12:40. Read them free at The Living Sword Bible.
What does the Old Testament say about jonah?
Old Testament scriptures on jonah: Jonah 1:3, Jonah 2:1, Jonah 2:9, Jonah 3:10. See them in full context free at The Living Sword.
How do I study Bible verses about jonah?
The Living Sword Bible app offers word-by-word study with original Hebrew and Greek, multiple translations (KJV, World English Bible, Geneva Bible, Young's Literal, ASV, Darby), cross-references, and an AI companion that answers only from Scripture. Read all 5 passages on jonah at thelivingsword.org — free, no account, no download required.

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Available translations: King James Version (KJV), World English Bible (WEB), Geneva Bible 1599, Darby Translation, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), American Standard Version (ASV), and the Living Sword Translation.