Jonas (1)
Multiple Individuals Named Jonas
The name Jonas appears in the apocryphal books referring to at least three different individuals. The first is a son of Eliasib, mentioned in 1 Esdras 9:1 in connection with the post-exilic community's dealings with foreign marriages. The second appears in 1 Esdras 9:23, corresponding to "Eliezer" in the canonical book of Ezra 10:23, suggesting the names may have been confused or represent variants in the manuscript tradition.
Jonas and the Prophet Jonah
The third and most significant Jonas is the prophet Jonah himself, whose name appears in its Greek form in 2 Esdras 1:39 and in the book of Tobit (Tobit 14:4, 8). The prophet Jonah, son of Amittai, was sent by God to preach repentance to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-2). His story of reluctant obedience, the great fish, and Nineveh's repentance is one of the most well-known narratives in Scripture. Jesus himself referenced Jonah as a sign pointing to his own death and resurrection (Matthew 12:39-41).
The Son of Eliasib
The Jonas who was a son of Eliasib appears in the context of the post-exilic reforms addressing intermarriage with foreign peoples. After the return from Babylon, Ezra and other leaders discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had married women from surrounding nations (Ezra 10:18-19). The effort to address this situation was part of the broader spiritual renewal that characterized the restoration period.
The Name's Significance
The name Jonah (Jonas in Greek) means "dove" in Hebrew. In the biblical tradition, the dove carries associations of peace, gentleness, and the Holy Spirit. The dove that Noah sent from the ark returned with an olive leaf, signaling that God's judgment had passed and new life was possible (Genesis 8:11). These associations make the name fitting for the prophet whose mission ultimately brought a message of mercy to the enemies of Israel.
Jonas in the New Testament
Jesus used the Greek form Jonas when referring to the prophet, particularly in the famous "sign of Jonah" passages (Matthew 12:39-41; Luke 11:29-32). Jesus also used the name when addressing Simon Peter as "Simon, son of Jonas" (John 21:15-17), though this Jonas was Peter's father, a different individual from those mentioned in the apocryphal books.
Biblical Context
The name Jonas appears in 1 Esdras 9:1 (son of Eliasib), 1 Esdras 9:23 (corresponding to Eliezer in Ezra 10:23), and in 2 Esdras 1:39 and Tobit 14:4, 8 as a reference to the prophet Jonah. In the New Testament, Jonas is the Greek form used for the prophet Jonah and for Peter's father.
Theological Significance
The various individuals named Jonas connect to important theological themes: the post-exilic community's struggle for faithfulness, the prophetic mission of bringing God's message even to enemies, and Jesus's use of Jonah as a type of his own death and resurrection. The name's meaning of 'dove' adds layers of symbolism related to peace and God's mercy.
Historical Background
The Greek form Jonas reflects the Hellenistic period's influence on Jewish naming conventions and textual transmission. The apocryphal books of 1 Esdras and Tobit were written or compiled during the intertestamental period when Greek was becoming the common language of the eastern Mediterranean. The prophet Jonah ministered during the 8th century BC, while the post-exilic individuals named Jonas lived in the 5th century BC.