(Hebrew: dove)
A Minor Prophet. One of the best sources for information about him is found in 4Kings 14. The home of Jonas is now identified with El Meshed, about five miles northeast of Nazareth, in the tribal territory of Zebulon; thus he belonged to the northern kingdom. The period of his ministry is determined by its connection with the reign of Jeroboam II (783-743 BC), practically coinciding with the era of decline in the Assyrian Empire which came between the two powerful rulers, Adadnirari III (810-782 BC) and Theglathphalasar III (745-728 BC). Consequently we can account for much in Jonas's career: that he could foretell the victories of Jeroboam; that he could speak of the grandeur of Ninive as past; that he could preach to a nation once proud, now crushed.