Bible Characters
Jonah and the Great Fish: The Prophet Who Fled from God (+Quiz)
Jonah son of Amittai is the prophet who tried to flee from God's mission — and learned that there is nowhere to hide from the Creator. The Book of Jonah is short but deep, read on every Yom Kippur, and it raises questions about repentance, compassion, and responsibility — and it is among the most beloved topics in Bible quizzes.
▶ Play now: the Jonah quiz — 50 questions per level
The Flight
God sent Jonah to great Nineveh to call on its inhabitants to repent. But Jonah fled to Tarshish, in the opposite direction, boarded a ship, and tried to distance himself from the mission. The flight shows how hard it can sometimes be to bear responsibility.
The Storm
God hurled a great wind upon the sea, and a fierce storm threatened to break the ship apart. The terrified sailors cast lots — and the lot fell on Jonah. He admitted his guilt and asked that they throw him into the sea, and the sea grew calm from its raging.
Inside the Fish
"And God appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah." Three days and three nights Jonah was in the belly of the fish, and from there he prayed a piercing prayer from the depths. God heard, and the fish spewed Jonah out onto dry land.
Nineveh and Its Repentance
Jonah went to Nineveh and proclaimed that the city would be overturned in forty days. And then the unexpected happened: the people of Nineveh repented — they fasted, put on sackcloth — and God relented of the evil. A rare story of complete repentance that saved an entire city.
The Kikayon
Jonah was angry that Nineveh had been spared. God caused a kikayon plant to grow over him for shade, and the next day it withered. Through the small plant God taught Jonah about compassion: if you took pity on a fleeting plant — how much more fitting to have pity on a city full of souls.
Play the Jonah quiz
Bible Quiz has a dedicated quiz about Jonah — with real questions from the bank, across five difficulty levels, 50 questions per level. You can also reach the quiz from the character area or the game screen.
FAQ
Where did Jonah flee?
To Tarshish, in the opposite direction from Nineveh, in order not to fulfill God's mission.
How long was Jonah inside the fish?
Three days and three nights, and from there he prayed to God.
What did the people of Nineveh do?
They repented — they fasted and put on sackcloth — and so the city was saved.
What plant grew over Jonah?
The kikayon, which grew for shade and then withered — to teach him about compassion.