A Whale of a Quiz: Diving Into Trivia About Jonah
Written by Troy E. Schmidt
Last updated · 9 min play time
The Book of Jonah was written around 780 BC and is a part of a section of Bible books called The Minor Prophets. That doesn't mean their stories are unimportant or irrelevant, just smaller. Of all twelve minor prophets, Jonah is definitely the star with the most well-known story.
Jonah is one of the most interesting prophets in the Bible. He's disobedient, ornery and a runner. Rarely do we see a prophet contacted by God to do something who simply says, "Yeah, no, I'm outta here." Jonah didn't like his assignment, so he tried to run away. He (and we) will soon learn that you probably shouldn't do that because there will always be consequences.
The Book of Jonah is only four chapters, but the idea of a man being swallowed by a whale has permeated cultures all over the world.
It was written around 780 BC and is apart of a section of books called The Minor Prophets. That doesn't mean their stories are unimportant or irrelevant, just smaller and made up of fewer pages. Of all twelve minor prophets, Jonah is definitely the star.
Quiz written by
Troy E. SchmidtTroy Schmidt has worked in game shows since 1985, starting with "Every Second Counts" as a researcher. Over time he's worked in the development of shows such as "1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime" and the production of shows, such as "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader." He helped produce the pilot and all three seasons of GSN's "The American Bible Challenge" with Jeff Foxworthy Troy currently works on staff at Family Church in Windermere, FL and writes books. You can find out more about him at www.troyeschmidt.com.
The Book of Jonah Quiz Questions
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Question 1
Many people associate Jonah with a whale, though the Bible text never specifies that. What does the Bible say swallowed Jonah?
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AA Great White
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BA Leedsichthys
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CA Prehistoric Sturgeon
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DA huge fish
A huge fish
Yeah, all the Bible says is a "huge fish." Because of this vague language, there's been much speculation over the type of fish. Whales don't typically live in the Mediterranean Sea, but of course God could put a whale anywhere he wants.
Question 2
The king of Nineveh told everyone, including the animals, to put on what piece of clothing in hopes that God would not destroy their city?
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APolyester
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BSackcloth
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CNothing, he told them to strip naked
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DDark clothes for mourning
Sackcloth
Sackcloth is an itchy wool that rubbed and hurt the skin. It reminded the wearer of the pain they were facing or would face, thus encouraging prayer and repentance. To put it on the animals seems extreme, but it shows how convinced the Ninevites were of the impending doom.
Question 3
The sailors decided to find out who or what caused the terrible storm, so they did something that settled disputes through acts of chance. What did they do that pointed to Jonah as being the cause of the storm?
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ARock, scissors, paper
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BOne, two, three shoot
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CCast lots
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DArm wrestle
Cast lots
Casting lots is a familiar act used throughout the Bible where people of the first century rolled carved stones with certain marks on each side, sort of like dice. God used the lots to point out to others that Jonah was at fault.
Question 4
When the Pharisees asked for a sign, Jesus told them to look to Jonah who spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish. But Jesus was really talking about what other sign that they would hear about soon?
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AJesus would rise out of the grave after three days
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BIn three days he would feed 5,000
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CThe "three" stands for the Trinity
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DHe would bring three people back from the dead
Jesus would rise out of the grave after three days
Jesus was telling them that he will perform the greatest sign of all - rising from the dead after being in the grave for three days - just like Jonah was three days in a fish's belly, which probably felt like a grave to Jonah!
Question 5
Jonah is introduced to us with a description that tells us precisely who he is. How does the Bible describe him?
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AJonah, the Prophetic One
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BJonah, the Man of La Mancha
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CJonah, Son of Hill
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DJonah, Son of Amittai
Jonah, Son of Amittai
In Bible times, using a phrase like Son of Amittai was a sort of last name, like people today are known as Johnson or Anderson. Jonah was Amittai-son.
Question 6
In Jonah Chapter 2, Jonah did what many of us might do if we were swallowed by a big fish. What was it?
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AHe built a fire and made the fish sneeze
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BHe prayed
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CHe kicked and screamed until the fish spit him out
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DHe took a nap for three days
He prayed
Jonah prayed during that time, mostly in a spirit of confession and praise. God wanted to get him alone, so he figured inside a fish might be the best place.
Question 7
In the Bible, God talks to Jonah and tells him to go to a which city that is actually east of Jonah. What city does God tell Jonah to go to?
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AAmsterdam
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BJerusalem
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CNineveh
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DIstanbul
Nineveh
God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh, which would be modern Mosul, Iraq; it's located east of the Tigris River.
Question 8
Jonah's message to Nineveh was direct and right to the point. What did Jonah say to those living in Nineveh?
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A"Get right or get left"
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B"You think it's hot here?"
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C"In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown"
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D"It's the end of the world as we know it"
"In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown"
God gave Jonah a ticking clock message to scare the Ninevites. They responded quickly and believed him.
Question 9
When the sailors found out Jonah was running from God, they wondered what they needed to do since the sea was getting rougher. What did Jonah tell them to do to calm the sea?
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APray harder to their gods
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BThrow him into the sea
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CTurn the ship around
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DStart singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
Throw him into the sea
Jonah knew he was the problem, so he figured if he were removed from the ship, the people on the vessel could get away safely. They did as he requested and the sea calmed.
Question 10
Jesus used the example of the miracle of Jonah when what group of people were looking for sign from him?
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AHis apostles
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BThe Pharisees
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CWhale hunters
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DPontius Pilate
The Pharisees
When the Pharisees and teachers asked for a sign (or miracle), Jesus told them to look to Jonah. This isn't what they wanted. They wanted something right then to prove Jesus was who he said he was.
Question 11
Jonah got very angry after the people repented, revealing the precise reason why he ran away. Why was Jonah so angry?
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AHis hotel reservations got cancelled
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BHe knew God was compassionate and would spare Nineveh
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CThe king was rude to him
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DEverybody ignored him
He knew God was compassionate and would spare Nineveh
Jonah was an odd prophet. God sent him to a people who he felt didn't deserve mercy. When the people repented, God did not destroy the city, which was what Jonah wanted to happen. Jonah ran because he knew God would turn their hearts around.
Question 12
When God saw how the people in Nineveh responded to Jonah's message, what did he do?
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ABacked off and let everyone live
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BDestroyed the city anyway
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CSent locusts to eat their crops
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DHad whales attack the city
Backed off and let everyone live
God saw the sincerity of all the people in Nineveh and did not destroy it as he had planned. Remember, this was a huge city.
Question 13
After sufficiently breaking down Jonah's will, God commanded the fish to do something. In Hebrew, the word that describes the action is very specific. What did God tell the fish to do with Jonah?
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AChew him up and swallow him whole
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BOpen his mouth and let Jonah walk out
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CVomit Jonah up
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DPoop Jonah out
Vomit Jonah up
Jonah became fish vomit and the force of the release pushed Jonah to the shoreline. It was gross, but it got Jonah where he needed to be.
Question 14
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, which was a large city in that day. How does the Bible describe the size of Nineveh?
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AIt took three days to walk across the city
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BIt was second in size only to Rome
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CA sign at the entrance read "Population One Million"
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DThe city was divided into 12 districts
It took three days to walk across the city
To give some perspective, a healthy person could walk the length of Manhattan in one day (15 miles). Nineveh was apparently the size of three Manhattans.
Question 15
As Jonah sailed away from where God asked him to go, God stirred up a storm in the sea, which frightened the sailors. What does the Bible say Jonah did during this time?
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ATook a nap
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BPrayed to God for help
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CWent fishing
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DLaughed at the sailors
Took a nap
Jonah actually took a nap during this threatening time. He seemed pretty confident in God or unaware how serious the storm was. The captain woke him up and said, "How can you sleep at a time like this?"
Question 16
Nineveh was the capital city of what ruling nation, known for its harsh and barbaric behavior?
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ARome
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BGermany
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CAssyria
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DPhoenicia
Assyria
The Assyrians grew in power, taking over parts of Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Around 605 BC, they met defeat,. but during the time of Jonah they were large and in charge.
Question 17
Jonah refuses to go where God directs him, so instead he sets off directly east to a port city in Spain, right on the Mediterranean Sea. Towards what port city does Jonah head?
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ATarshish
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BValencia
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CMadrid
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DGuadalajara
Tarshish
It's believed that Tarshish is now known as Tartessus in Spain. It was directly west of the Strait of Gibraltar. It was about as far as you could go west in in the known world. Any further and Jonah would have discovered America.
Question 18
While Jonah sat outside Nineveh and pouted about God's mercy, God sent something to Jonah, but then took it away to teach Jonah a lesson. What did God send?
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AA kind cow
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BA refreshing rain shower
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CA friendly dog
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DA shady plant
A shady plant
It was hot in the sun and God sent a leafy plant that grew, miraculously, and covered Jonah's head, bringing him relief. Then God took it away, saying "You were fine when I took care of you, but you weren't okay when I decided to save 120,000 people and animals?"
Question 19
When Jonah warned those in Nineveh about what would happen, how did the people in the city respond?
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AThey laughed and threw more parties
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BThey stopped and carefully researched the message
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CThey ignored the crazy old man who smelled like fish
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DThey repented and declared a nationwide fast
They repented and declared a nationwide fast
Jonah's message to the Ninevites was immediately received, from the king to the common person. A fast was declared for all people, including the animals.
Question 20
While Jonah cried out to God inside the belly of the big fish, what did he say was wrapped around his head?
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ASeaweed
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BA squid
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CShame
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DA prayer shawl
Seaweed
Jonah said what we would expect to be wrapped around our heads if we were inside a fish: seaweed. Fish naturally open their mouths and let in the water, then sift through what they can eat and push out what they don't. Essentially, Jonah found himself inside a huge strainer.
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