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Jonah and the Whale in Jaffa: The Prophet Who Tried to Run Away from His Destiny

  • Writer: Sagi Haim Levy
    Sagi Haim Levy
  • Nov 10
  • 3 min read

Standing before Ilana Goor’s giant whale sculpture in Jaffa, it’s hard not to feel small — or inspired. Visitors often laugh, take photos, and then pause to reflect. After all, Jaffa is not just a charming port filled with art galleries and cobblestone alleys; it’s also where one of the most famous biblical stories began — the story of Jonah and the Whale.


The Prophet Who Tried to Escape His Mission

According to the Book of Jonah, God commanded the prophet to go to Nineveh, one of the great capitals of the Assyrian Empire, and call its people to repent. But Jonah refused. Instead of heading east toward Mesopotamia (today’s Iraq), he went in the opposite direction — to Jaffa, the ancient port city of Israel.

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Here, Jonah found a ship bound for Tarshish, far across the Mediterranean — as far from Nineveh as he could imagine. But his attempt to escape didn’t last long. The Bible tells us that God sent a great storm, threatening to sink the ship. The frightened sailors threw their cargo into the sea, but nothing helped until Jonah admitted that he was the cause. “Throw me overboard,” he said, “and the sea will calm.”


The Great Fish — or Whale — and a Second Chance

Once Jonah was cast into the waves, the storm stopped. Then, the most famous part of the story unfolds — “a great fish” swallowed Jonah. The Bible doesn’t call it a whale, but throughout history, that’s how people have imagined it.

For three days and three nights, Jonah prayed from the depths of the sea. Finally, the great fish spit him out on dry land — giving him a second chance. This time, Jonah obeyed. He traveled to Nineveh, warned the people, and to his surprise, they listened. They repented — and God spared the city.



A Universal Message of Mercy

What makes the story of Jonah so moving is that Nineveh’s people were not Israelites. Yet God still cared for them. The Book of Jonah reminds us that divine mercy extends to all nations, not just one. It’s a story about compassion, forgiveness, and the belief that anyone — anywhere — can change.

That’s why Jews read the Book of Jonah every Yom Kippur — the holiest day of the year — to remember that no matter how far we’ve strayed, sincere prayer and repentance can bring us back.


The Lesson of Jaffa: Don’t Run from Your Destiny

Standing here in Jaffa, overlooking the Mediterranean where Jonah once tried to escape, the message feels personal. Sometimes, the thing we run from most is exactly what we’re meant to do.

So, if you ever find yourself gazing at the great whale sculpture and thinking about your next adventure — maybe pause for a moment. What mission are you avoiding? What calling is waiting for you to answer?


Visit Jaffa and Discover the Story Yourself

Join Levy Israel Tours for a private guided tour of Jaffa — where biblical history, art, and spirituality meet the sea breeze.Walk through Ilana Goor’s sculpture garden, explore Old Jaffa’s ancient port, and hear the story of Jonah as it comes to life right where it happened.

📍 Highlights of the Jaffa Tour:


Reflection

Jonah’s story is not just about a man and a whale — it’s about the courage to face your destiny, no matter how far you’ve drifted. So, as we say on our tours: Don’t run away from your destiny — walk toward it.



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