The book of Jonah does not provide a clear date of composition, and its time of writing is debated. What can be said from the available information is that the prophet Jonah himself belongs to the 8th century BC, while scholars differ on when the book about him was composed.
What can be dated
The most definite chronological point concerns Jonah the prophet, not the writing of the book. Jonah son of Amittai lived in the 8th century BC. The book concerns him and tells his story, but that fact does not, by itself, settle when the text was written.
Authorship and dating
The book of Jonah is anonymous: it does not name its own author. It is written about Jonah in the third person, which supports the basic observation that the work presents Jonah as its subject rather than explicitly presenting itself as Jonah’s own writing. Because the author is unknown and the book does not include an explicit statement of when it was composed, its date of composition is debated.
What the book is
The book of Jonah is an account of a reluctant prophet sent to Nineveh, and it highlights God’s mercy on a repentant city. It is therefore not simply a reference to Jonah’s existence, but a narrative focused on Jonah’s mission to Nineveh and the response that follows.
Connection to Jonah in Kings
The book concerns Jonah son of Amittai, a prophet who is also mentioned in
2 Kings 14:25
. This provides evidence that Jonah was known as a prophetic figure beyond this book, and it anchors Jonah as an identifiable person in Israel’s prophetic tradition. Even so, the mention of Jonah elsewhere does not, on its own, establish the date when the book of Jonah was written; it supports the identification of the Jonah in the book with Jonah son of Amittai.
Audience and setting
The stated audience is the people of Israel. The book’s narrative centers on Jonah and Nineveh, but it is directed toward Israel as its audience. That orientation is part of what the book is: a story about Jonah, for Israel, involving Nineveh and emphasizing God’s mercy toward those who repent.
Why the writing date remains debated
From the information provided, the reason a firm date cannot be given is straightforward: the book is anonymous, does not date itself, and is written about Jonah rather than in an explicitly autobiographical way. As a result, the main chronological statement that can be made is a distinction between (1) Jonah’s lifetime in the 8th century BC and (2) the debated date when the book about him was composed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the book of Jonah written?
The date of writing is debated. The prophet Jonah lived in the 8th century BC, but scholars differ on when the book about him was composed.
Who wrote the book of Jonah?
The author is unknown. The book tells the story of the prophet Jonah son of Amittai but does not name its own author.
Does the book claim to be written by Jonah?
The book is written about Jonah in the third person and does not identify its author. Based on those facts alone, it does not present a named authorial claim within the provided information.
How do we know which Jonah the book is about?
The book concerns Jonah son of Amittai, who is also mentioned in
2 Kings 14:25
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. This provides corroborating evidence for Jonah’s identity as a prophet known from another biblical reference.
What is the book’s main subject and audience?
It is the account of a reluctant prophet sent to Nineveh and of God’s mercy on a repentant city. The audience is the people of Israel.