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Archaeological discoveries made in the Holy Land could prove the Bible's account of Jonah, who survived in the belly of a whale for three days, a scripture expert has claimed.

The Biblical account of Jonah's misadventures has been controversial, with no solid evidence to back the Old Testament's narrative. Although Jonah's tale is considered by many to be a parable meant to teach about compassion and trust in God, there are some who believe there is more to the story than meets the eye.

Although incredible, Tom Meyer, a theologian at Shasta Bible College and Graduate School in California, US, believes there is archaeological evidence that could corroborate the story.

He told Express.co.uk: "In regards to archaeological evidence demonstrating the historicity of the account of Jonah, the idea of Jonah being resurrected from the watery grave was so believed and prominent in Jewish thought and practice that it became a motif on the ossuaries and tombs of early Jewish Christians.

"A first-century ossuary or bone box was discovered in Jerusalem with a rudimentary inscription of not only the name of Jonah but a rude sketch of him being vomited out of the whale.

"In later centuries the Jonah 'sign' became the quintessential expression of Christian belief in the resurrection with over a hundred examples of Jonah images in the Christian catacombs at Rome."

There also exists a first-hand account of a man who claims to have been swallowed by a whale.

Professor Meyer said: "In regards to the firsthand account paralleling Jonah, the Princeton Theological Review of October 1927 reports the story of James Bartley who, in 1891 was swallowed by a sperm whale and then rescued two days later by his fellow fishermen near the Falkland Islands.

"According to the report, the whale had attacked their vessel and Bartley was thrown overboard and presumed dead at sea.

"Two days later, the fishermen spotted the same whale floating upon the water, likely dead from constipation. "Upon skinning the whale, they discovered Bartley alive but unconscious inside the whale.

"Though according to the report his skin was bleached by the gastric acids and he was permanently blind from the incident, Bartley lived 18 more years and toured the world recounting his experiences as the modern-day Jonah.

"The only person on record to reject Bartley’s claims was the boat captain’s wife, who was not an eyewitness."

However, many historians are no convinced by Bartley’s account, finding inconsistencies in his story.

According to historian Edward Davis, the story may have been inspired by the Gorleston whale, a 30ft rorqual or baleen whale killed near Great Yarmouth in June 1981.

Similarly, biologists do not believe it would be possible for a human to be swallowed whole, let alone survive inside of a whale.

Dr Craig McClain of the Lousiana University Marine Consortium said: "I know that the oesophagus of a whale shark measures only inches across.

"The massive beast could not choke me down even if it preferred man meat to plankton."

Professor Meyer, however, is undeterred in his belief the Bible is a historically accurate document.

He said: "Jonah was a historical person and his account isn’t a whale of a tale but a true account that parallels the ministry of Jesus.

"The account of Jonah literally being in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights and later coming back to life is given in the New Testament as the only sign Jesus ever gave to Israel."

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/1322018/Bible-news-Jonah-and-whale-evidence-Jerusalem-archaeology

The Bartley story is an interesting fact. It's possible the specie of whale that swallowed Jonah is now extinct.

Work of science and technology. God is Good.

Whyyyyyyyy.

I don't even know what to say sef

make d whale come Nigeria make we chop am jor,,we dey hungry

Science agreeing with christianity, death and resurrection small small.

God cannot lie. Praise God.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. The sky and the earth won't last forever, but my words will.

....
Make I laugh small..

Religion

Well, the scriptures is true and valid. Just the way science is valid.

I believe it's only a matter of time and "more discoveries" before science proves religion to be valid.

I dont need this to validate my faith, it is called faith for a reason.

A wall painting is the supposed evidence? How is that different from the story in the Bible?
To keep being in religion, just forget about evidence otherwise you start questioning everything. I've been there.
No specie of fish exists or existed that could swallow a whole person whole. Let's even say it happened and an alien blue whale swallowed Jonah, he would not have survived past 10 minutes without oxygen.
The way the mouth of whales (the world's largest sea creatures) is designed, swallowing an adult person is pratically impossible.

The same Israel historians that denied ever crossing the red Sea to escape slavery in Egypt.

all these archaelogist sha, make una take time o.


who pays this people sef, cos I know this hustle no fit survive in naija o.... hmmm

Good One... More revelations like this will still be made!

I'll rather vote for Bubu's third term than vote the Iragbiji born politician.

Truth

The Holy Bible: The only book whose stories has been validated by archeological and scientific evidences...! One of them oldest book alive.

Mr Righteousness over to you

Cool

morikee:
Mr Righteousness over to you

He's spoken already.

Righteousness89:
Hallelujah!
GOD ALMIGHTY is not a Man that He should lie..

The Bible is the Word of God written by Men who were Inspired by God Himself. Every Part of the Holy Bible is True.

This is a Privileged Generation..

Few weeks ago it was Noah Ark

Today it Jonah and the Whale.

A Serious Message is being passed to us.
Noah and Jonah were Preachers of Righteousness that warned the People of the Wrath of God..

The people in Noah's Generation Refused to Heed
Those in Nineveh listened to Jonah, Repented and Ask God for Mercy.

Today is another opportunity for Someone to Shift From Darkness to Light, From Eternal Destruction to Eternal Life and From Hell to Heaven..

The RAPTURE of the saints is upon us. Humble yourself and Accept The KING of kings..

Personal Raptures are Happening Every Minute. You Don't know your time! Humble yourself and Accept The KING of kings..

THERE IS NO MORE TIME!!!

If you Have Ears to Hear, you Should Hear