Boy · Hebrew · Old Testament

Jonah

JOH-nuh · from Yonah · means “Dove”

Jonah is a Hebrew name meaning "dove." He is remembered as the reluctant prophet who fled from God's call to preach in Nineveh, was swallowed by a great fish, and eventually delivered a message that led an entire foreign city to repentance. His story is one of mercy for the runaway and for the reluctant.

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said: In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.”

The story behind the name

God told Jonah to go preach to Nineveh, a great and violent enemy city, but Jonah ran the other way, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. A violent storm arose, and when the sailors threw Jonah overboard at his own suggestion, a great fish swallowed him (Jonah 1-2).

From inside the fish, Jonah prayed a heartfelt prayer of repentance, and God had the fish deposit him safely on dry land. This time Jonah obeyed, walked through Nineveh proclaiming judgment, and the entire city, from the king down, repented in sackcloth and ashes (Jonah 3).

Jonah, oddly, was angry that God showed mercy to his enemies, and the book ends with God gently questioning his prophet's compassion (Jonah 4). A boy named Jonah carries a name that shows even a reluctant, imperfect servant can carry a message that changes a whole city.

Middle names that sing with Jonah

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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