Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
There are several unbiblical Jewish traditions about Jonah’s origin. [Note: Ellison, "Jonah," p. 368.] One held that he was the widow’s son whom Elijah restored to life (1 Kings 17:17-24). Another held that he had some connection with the Jerusalem temple even though he was from the North. Another credited him with a successful mission to Jerusalem similar to the one to Nineveh. None of these has any biblical support. They were apparently attempts to fit Jonah into other inspired stories and to glorify the prophet.