Who are the parents of Jonah in the Bible?

When readers encounter the story of Jonah in the Bible, they often focus on the prophet’s dramatic encounter with the great fish and his reluctant mission to the city of Nineveh. Yet, a question sometimes arises: who were Jonah’s parents? While the Book of Jonah doesn’t dwell on his family background, the Bible does offer a few clues. This blog post explores what the Scriptures and tradition tell us about Jonah’s lineage, and why it matters for understanding his role as a prophet.

Jonah in the Biblical Narrative

Jonah is best known from the Old Testament book that bears his name. In this narrative, God instructs Jonah to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire—Israel’s bitter enemies at the time. Jonah’s initial refusal, his time spent in the belly of a great fish, and his eventual compliance have made the story a memorable part of biblical literature. But unlike some other prophets whose family details are extensively recorded, Jonah’s background is only briefly mentioned.

Scriptural Reference to Jonah’s Father

The clearest biblical reference to Jonah’s parentage is found in 2 Kings 14:25, which states: “He [Jeroboam II] restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher.” This verse reveals two key facts: Jonah’s father’s name was Amittai, and the family hailed from the town of Gath-hepher, located in Galilee.

What Do We Know About Amittai?

Beyond his name and the brief mention as Jonah’s father, the Bible provides no further details about Amittai. His name, derived from the Hebrew word “emet,” meaning “truth,” suggests he may have been a man of integrity or faithfulness, but such meanings are based on linguistic interpretation rather than concrete biblical narrative. There are no stories, genealogies, or additional references to Amittai outside of his connection to Jonah.

Jonah’s Mother: Unnamed in Scripture

Unlike some biblical figures whose mothers are named or even play significant roles in their stories, the Bible does not mention Jonah’s mother at all. This omission is not unusual in biblical literature, especially for male prophets, as genealogies often focus on paternal lineage. As a result, all we know about Jonah’s maternal heritage is what can be inferred based on his hometown and Israelite origin.

Tradition and Extra-Biblical Sources

Over the centuries, Jewish and Christian traditions have sought to fill in the gaps left by scripture. Some ancient sources and commentators have speculated about Jonah’s broader family background, but these are not considered authoritative or canonical. In some traditions, Jonah is even identified with the “son of the widow of Zarephath” whom the prophet Elijah raised from the dead (1 Kings 17), but there is no direct biblical evidence supporting this theory.

The Importance of Lineage for Prophets

In the context of ancient Israel, a prophet’s lineage could lend credibility or authority to his message. By naming Jonah’s father, Amittai, and his hometown, the Bible affirms his historical reality and roots him in a specific community. However, the lack of further detail suggests that Jonah’s personal faith and obedience—or lack thereof—are more central to his story than his ancestry.

Conclusion

The Bible identifies Jonah as “the son of Amittai” from Gath-hepher, but offers no further information about his family, especially his mother. While some traditions propose additional details, the scriptural record is brief and focused. Ultimately, Jonah’s significance comes not from his parentage, but from his unique relationship with God and the lessons his story imparts about obedience, mercy, and compassion.