Jonah 1&2 - What is the sign of Jonah? I’m pretty sure you don’t know the relevance.

Jonah 1:17
And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.

First of all, do not argue with Christians over whether this was a whale or a fish. Scripture does not really differentiate between the two as our biological classifications do. Scripture puts whales in the same classification as fish. Modern biology puts whales in the classifications as moo-cows and kitty cats. There are some apparent historical records of men being swallowed by whales and surviving. They are doubtful and should be looked at with skepticism. The fact of the matter is that we are not looking at a man who survived in the belly of a whale for three days and three nights. We are looking here at a resurrection from the dead.

Jonah 2:1
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,

"But if he died, how was he praying?" Well, this was obviously right after the whale or fish swallowed him. How long would it take you to start praying if you were swallowed up by a big whale?

Jonah 2:2
and he said, "I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; Thou didst hear my voice.

Jonah's prayer incorporates the language and flow of the Psalms, which Jonah probably knew very well. This verse is similar to Psalm 18:4-6.

Jonah 2:3
"For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Thy breakers and billows passed over me.

Jonah acknowledges that his punishment came from Elohim. This verse is similar to Psalm 42:7.

Jonah 2:4
"So I said, 'I have been expelled from Thy sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Thy holy temple.'

This verse is similar to Psalm 5:7 and 31:22.

Jonah 2:5
"Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, Weeds were wrapped around my head.

This verse is similar to Psalm 69:1-2.

Jonah 2:6
"I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, But Thou hast brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.

This verse is similar to Psalm 18:16 and 30:3

Jonah 2:7
"While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer came to Thee, Into Thy holy temple.

This verse is similar to Psalm 18:6.

Jonah 2:8
"Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness,

This verse is similar to Psalm 31:6.

Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to Thee With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD."

This verse is similar to Psalm 50:14, 23, 116:17.

Jonah 2:10
Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.

Then, after what appears to be three days and three nights later, Elohim commands the whale or fish to vomit Jonah up on dry land. This was probably on the coast of Palestine.

River Valley Torah Assembly