JONAH - One of the books known as the prophetical books of the Old Testament.

The prophecy of Jonah and his three days in the belly of a great fish comprise one of the most-remembered of the books of the Prophets indeed, our Lord uses this image concerning his own three days and nights in the tomb ^{(Matt. 12:38-41; Luke 11:29-32)}. The Prophet calls Israel to repentance and reminds her of her mission to preach to all the nations the wideness of God’s mercy and His forgiveness.

The book conveniently divides into two parts: 1) (Ch. 1-2) Jonah’s first call and disobedience, culminating in his sojourn in the belly of the fish; and 2) (Ch. 3-4) his second call to preach to Nineveh.