Structure – Sefer Yonah/0

Structure – Sefer Yonah

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Division into Units

I. The First Mission (Chapters 1-2)
II. The Second Mission (Chapters 3-4)

This division is supported by the following factors:

• Content – Chapters 1-2 describe Yonah's aborted mission and Hashem's lesson that one cannot flee from God. Chapters 3-4, in contrast describe his fulfilling of his mission
• Location – The first two chapters take place at sea, while the last two take place on land, in and around Nineveh.
• Characters – While Yonah and the sailors are the main characters of the first unit, Yonah and the people of Nineveh are the focus of the second.
• Parallel openings: Both units open with near identical language, highlighting the contrast: in one Yonah turns away from God's word; in the other he heeds the call.

Subdivision of Unit I

A. Near Destruction of Boatmen  (Chapter 1)
    i. Prophet Flees (1:1-3)
    ii. Danger of Death (1:4-13)
    iii. Sailors turn to God and are Saved (1:14-17)

B.. Miracle at Sea and Prayer (Chapter 2)
    i. Miraculous Message from Nature (2:1)
    ii. Prophet Prays for/ from Salvation (2:2-10)
    iii. Prophet Released (2:11)

Subdivision of Unit III. 

A. Near Destruction of Nineveh (Chapter 3)
   i. Prophet Heeds Call (3:1-3)
   ii. Danger of Destruction (3:4)
   iii. Ninevites turn to God and are Saved (3:5-10)

B. Prayer and Miracles of Nature (Chapter 4)
   i. Prophet Prays to Die (4:1-5)
   ii. Miraculous Message from Nature (4:6-11)