Jonah (Dove), son of Amittai (True), the author and subject of the book called by his name, was born at Gath-hepher, in Zebulun, two miles from Sephorim. He is the same prophet who is sent to Jeroboam II. (2 Kings xiv. 25), in answer to the bitter cry of affliction that rose from Israel. The deliverance then worked by God brought no return of allegiance to Him; and Jonah is sent with a message of warning to their threatening invaders, the Assyrians. The contrast between the Gentile sailors and the heathen Ninevites and the prophet is so greatly in favour of the former, as to stamp the narrative with truthfulness. The writer leaves us with his impetuous will unbroken (though rebuked) and unexplained, while he closes his book with God's words of tender mercy. The clue to his unwillingness and murmuring is doubtless his foreknowledge that the nation, so spared, was destined to be God's instrument for the punishment of his native country. The King of Nineveh was the Pul of Scripture.

The Authenticity. of the book is proved by the genuine Hebrew words and archaic idioms which pervade it; and the second chapter shews the writer to be imbued with a knowledge of the Psalms, which he adapts to his own needs, hut does not quote.

It is also corroborated by the accuracy of its historical and geographical details, and by our Lord's own affirmation of its truth and of its typical significance. But some German critics, who disbelieve in miracles, regard it as fabulous or parabolic, and ascribe its composition to the

time of Josiah. It has, however, been regarded as Canonical both by Jews and Christians, and is ranked among the prophetical books because of its typical reference to the Resurrection of the Messiah.