1:9 I am a Hebrew. See note Gen. 14:13. Jonah identifies himself in ethnic terms. The term “Hebrew” was used by Israelites to identify themselves to foreigners (Gen. 40:15; Ex. 1:19; 3:18; 10:3).

I fear the Lord. Jonah also identifies himself in religious terms. The Lord his God is not just a personal, family, or national deity. He is the supreme and sovereign God, the Creator of land and sea.

the God of heaven. An old title (Gen. 24:3, 7) also commonly used in the Persian period after the Exile (2 Chr. 36:23; Ezra 1:2; Neh. 1:4, 5; 2:4).