1:17–2:1 · The Lord’s provision of the fish:The Lord provides (literally “appoints”) a “huge fish” or sea creature to swallow Jonah, in which Jonah remains alive for three days and nights (1:17). In the New Testament, Matthew (12:39–40) draws an analogy between the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the imprisonment of Jonah. Matthew identifies Jonah’s salvation by a providentially provided creature as a miraculous sign that typifies God’s provision of Christ as a means of salvation and depicts his resurrection from the dead. This is the first of only two occasions in which Jonah prays to God (2:1; 4:2).

2:2–9 · Jonah’s prayer for the Lord’s deliverance:The prayer uttered by Jonah resembles the form of a typical thanksgiving psalm, and is linked to several psalms through similar …