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5064
qualitative
book
Smith, Scott L. Jr., Near-Death Experiences, Sophia Institute Press, Chapter 1, Jonah, Pages 31-45, 2024
Near-Death Experiences by Scott L. Smith Jr., Chapter 1, Pages 31-45, 2024
2024
M
The prophet Jonah, fleeing from God's command to preach to Nineveh, was thrown overboard during a storm and swallowed by a great fish. According to ancient sources and Christ's own interpretation, Jonah actually died and spent three days in Sheol, the abode of the dead. His prayer from "the belly of Sheol" describes his soul descending below the ocean depths to the underworld, where "the bars of the earth closed upon me forever."
During his death, Jonah experienced the claustrophobic prison of Sheol. Waters closed in over him, the deep surrounded him, weeds wrapped around his head at the roots of mountains. He felt cast out from God's presence yet maintained faith, yearning for God's holy temple. This matches descriptions of souls in Purgatory who experience their greatest torment as longing for God rather than physical suffering. After three days dead, matching the ancient Near Eastern belief about the journey to the underworld, God restored Jonah to life. The fish vomited his body onto shore where God commanded him to "Arise" - the same word Christ uses when raising the dead. Jonah's resurrection became the sign Jesus referenced for His own three days in death and resurrection. The massive conversion of Nineveh followed Jonah's testimony. According to tradition, Jonah was previously the widow's son raised by Elijah, making him the only biblical figure raised from death twice. He later entered Paradise alive like Elijah. His NDE transformed him completely - he ended his prayer from Sheol with thanksgiving, paying his vows to God with the declaration "Deliverance belongs to the LORD!"
5
Other
10
15
45
Moderate Evidence
20
Death by drowning, three days dead before resurrection
Detailed description of Sheol, underworld geography, spiritual separation from God
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Inside great fish
8/5/2025
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