In the Bible, the term "whale" is often used to describe large sea creatures, though the specific species we recognize today as whales may not be directly referenced. The Hebrew word "tannin" is sometimes translated as "whale" or "sea monster," and it appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures.

Creation and the Natural Order

Whales are first alluded to in the creation narrative found in Genesis. On the fifth day, God created the creatures of the sea. Genesis 1:21 states, "So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." The "great sea creatures" mentioned here are often understood to include whales, highlighting their grandeur and the diversity of God's creation.

Symbolism and Imagery

In biblical literature, large sea creatures like whales often symbolize chaos and the untamable aspects of nature. This is evident in the poetic and prophetic books, where such creatures are used metaphorically to describe powerful nations or chaotic forces. For example, in the book of Job, God speaks of the Leviathan, a formidable sea creature, to illustrate His own power and the limitations of human strength. While not explicitly called a whale, the Leviathan shares characteristics with large sea creatures, emphasizing the majesty and mystery of God's creation.

Jonah and the Great Fish

One of the most well-known biblical accounts involving a large sea creature is the account of Jonah. In Jonah 1:17 , it is written, "Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish." While the text refers to a "great fish," tradition and popular interpretation often depict this creature as a whale. This narrative underscores themes of divine intervention, repentance, and mercy, as Jonah's time in the belly of the fish leads to his eventual obedience to God's command.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the account of Jonah as a sign of His own death and resurrection. In Matthew 12:40 , Jesus states, "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Here, the "great fish" serves as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's burial and resurrection, illustrating the continuity and fulfillment of Scripture.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Throughout history, whales and other large sea creatures have captured human imagination, symbolizing both the beauty and the terror of the natural world. In the biblical context, they serve as reminders of God's creative power and sovereignty over all creation. The narratives and imagery associated with these creatures invite believers to reflect on the majesty of God and His purposes in the world.

The Historicity of the Book of Jonah.
... For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the
Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew ...
/.../viii the historicity of the.htm

The Answer of Jesus to their Request.
... For if, as Jonah passed three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so the
Son of man did in the heart of the earth, and after this rose up from it ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/3 the answer of jesus.htm

The Prolonged Life of the Ancients, the Translation of Elijah and ...
... his flesh was consumed in the fiery chariot, let him consider that Jonah, when he
had been cast into the deep, and swallowed down into the whale's belly, was ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter v the prolonged life of.htm

Matt. xii. 38, 39
... "For as Jonas," saith He, "was three days and three nights in the whale's belly,
so shall the ... For tell me, was Jonah in the whale's belly a mere appearance? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xliii matt xii 38.htm

The Fainting Soul Revived
... Observe, dear friends, that though Jonah remembered the Lord, it was not till he
got into the whale's belly, nor even then till his soul fainted within him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fainting soul revived.htm

On the Words, and Rose Again from the Dead on the Third Day, and ...
... in proof of such facts, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself supplies it in the Gospels,
saying, For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiv on the words.htm

On the History of Jonah.
... For it seems that the whale signifies Time, which never stands still, but is always
going on, and consumes the things which are made by long and shorter ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/on the history of jonah.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). What upheld Daniel in
the lion's den? Jonah in the whale's belly? The three Hebrews in the furnace? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

Reference to the History of Christ.
... dawning of the Lord's day He arose from the dead, according to what was spoken by
Himself, "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so ...
/.../chapter ix reference to the history.htm

For that Both History of the Old Testament...
... For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so also shall
the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." [1708 ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 8 for that both.htm

Whale's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whale's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 12:40 For as
Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly ...
/w/whale's.htm - 6k

What (14976 Occurrences)

/w/what.htm - 8k

Jonas (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the ...
/j/jonas.htm - 12k

Whale (2 Occurrences)
... The words of Job (7:12), uttered in bitter irony, where he asks, "Am Ia sea or a
whale?" simply mean, "Have Ia wild, untamable nature, like the waves of the sea ...
/w/whale.htm - 13k

Whales (1 Occurrence)

/w/whales.htm - 6k

Summary of the Book of Jonah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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