Structure – Sefer Yonah/0

From AlHaTorah.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Structure – Sefer Yonah

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

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 Yonah's fulfilling of his mission and Hashem's message regarding the importance of mercy.
    • Each of the two units contains a secondary story regarding the near destruction of non-Israelites who are saved as they turn to God.
  • 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 nearly identical language, with the second adding only that Hashem called "a second time", clearly marking the book's division into two.
  • Parallel structure – See below that there is a symmetry in the overall structure of the two units, further supporting the division.

Subdivision of Unit I: First Mission

A. Near Destruction of Boatmen  (Chapter 1)
B. Miracles and Prayer (Chapter 2)

  • Content – While the first chapter focuses on near destruction, the second highlights salvation.1
  • Location – Chapter 1 takes place on the boat, while Chapter 2 takes place in the body of the fish.
  • Characters – The first chapter focuses on the interplay between the sailors and Yonah.  In contrast, Yonah is the sole character of Chapter 2.
  • Genre – While Chapter 1 is written in prose, Chapter 2 is mainly poetry.
  • Literary indicators – Chapter 2 is framed by the fish swallowing / releasing Yonah, clearly setting it off as a unit of its own.

Subdivision of Unit II: Second Mission

A. Near Destruction of Nineveh (Chapter 3)
B. Prayer and Miracle (Chapter 4)

  • Content – While Chapter 3 highlights the repentance of Nineveh, Chapter 4 focuses on Yonah's reaction to it.
  • Characters – The people of Nineveh are the focus of Chapter 3, with Yonah acting as a secondary character. In contrast, Yonah (and Hashem) is the central figure of Chapter 4.
  • Location – Chapter three all occurs within Nineveh, while the events of Chapter 4 take place on the outskirts of the city.

Parallel Structure

Subdivision of Scene II