Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 39:3 (Sep 1996)
Article: Text Analysis And The Genre Of Jonah (Part 2)
Author: Ernst R. Wendland

JETS 39:3 (September 1996) p. 373

Text Analysis And The Genre Of Jonah
(Part 2)

Ernst R. Wendland*

V. An Overview Of The Discourse Structure Of Jonah

The structural outline presented below is only partial—in two respects. (1) It does not include all of the patterned arrangements (or possible variations) that are evident in the text of Jonah, especially those that are relatively minor in scope or hypothetical in nature. In this latter respect each of the linear and concentric patterns selected for display must be evaluated in terms of the criteria of credibility given in part 1 of this paper. 1 (2) Not all of the pertinent evidence in support of a given structure has necessarily been cited. Such information reduction is needed due to the present restrictions of space. It is hoped, however, that the sample provided is sufficient to indicate the outstanding care and craft that this literary work manifests in its local as well as global construction. The semantic and hermeneutical significance of such a masterfully designed format will be considered later.

1. Jonah as a whole. The overall plot structure (i.e. task/problem > complication > crisis/climax > resolution/denouement) consists of seven scenes that are marked by patterns of recursion (see below) as well as by major shifts in setting (time/place), circumstances, the participants involved, the (sub-)genre, and/or the nature of the action (eventive/dialogic)—namely: 1:1–3, 1:4–16, 1:17–2:10, 3:1–3, 3:4–10, 4:1–4, 4:5–11. 2 This linear sequence in turn manifests two parallel panels of plot-related topical arrangement with a climactic structural addition at the end: Yahweh has the final as well as the first word. These two divisions, or narrative cycles, may be diagramed as follows: 3

Ernst Wendland is an associate translation consultant for the United Bible Societies at Lusaka Translation Center (UBS), P.O. Box 310091, Chelstone 15301, Lusaka, Zambia.

JETS 39:3 (September 1996) p. 374

Figure 1

I. A. (1:1–3) Yahweh calls Jonah the first time and he flees from Nineveh

B. (1:4–16) A life/death crisis; exhortation by the captain;...