The Prophet Jonah
Old Testament prophet who, according to the book that bears his name, was sent by God to preach repentance to Nineveh.
Biography
Jonah lived in the 8th century BC, in the time of kings Amaziah and Jeroboam, and came from Gath-hepher, of the tribe of Zebulun. According to the Old Testament, God commanded him to go to Nineveh to preach repentance and foretell its destruction, but Jonah tried to avoid the mission by taking a ship for Tarshish.
A storm broke out during the voyage, and the sailors, casting lots, threw him into the sea to save themselves; there he was swallowed by a great sea creature, from which he emerged unharmed after three days. Jonah then went to Nineveh and preached as he had been commanded; its people repented and fasted for forty days, and the city was spared. According to tradition, he died in the land of Saarar and was buried in a cave.