Jonah - The Fish

The Fish

Interpretations of the "fish" fall into these general categories:

  1. A big fish or whale (of unspecified species) did indeed swallow Jonah.
  2. A special creation (not any fish we know of) of God accomplished the act.
  3. There was no fish: the story is an allegory, the fish is a literary device in the story, the story is a vision or a dream etc.
  4. The originators of the story did indeed intend for the story to be taken literally.

Read more about this topic:  Jonah

Famous quotes containing the words the fish and/or fish:

    “The laying of fish on the embers,
    the taste of the fish,
    the feel of the texture of bread,
    the round and the half-loaf,
    the grain of a petal,
    the rain-bow and the rain.”
    —Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)

    “The fish in neighboring streams and lakes are so voracious, it is said, that fishermen have to stand out of sight behind trees while baiting their hooks.”
    —For the State of Florida, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    “The beasts, the fishes, and the winged fowls
    Are their males’ subjects and at their controls:
    Man, more divine, the master of all these,
    Lord of the wide world and wild watery seas,
    Indued with intellectual sense and souls,
    Of more pre-eminence than fish and fowls,
    Are masters to their females, and their lords:
    Then let your will attend on their accords.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)