The Descent into the Whale
Some symbolic interpretations connect this pattern with the sun’s movement at Passover with Aries the lamb.
In this framework the sun was said to “die” at Passover and descend into the region of Cetus for three days and then rise up. Taking Hermes (Horus to the Egyptian and Orion to the Greeks) with him who was typified as traveling with the sun.
In Hebrew scripture the sea monster is called תַּנִּים (tannim), meaning a whale or sea monster.
This imagery parallels the story of Jonah, who remained in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights.
Jesus referred to this event as the sign of Jonah:
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
— Matthew 12:40
After this descent comes restoration:
“Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.”
— Malachi 4:2
