I think Hosea (Hos 7:11; 11:11) uses יוֹנָה in a way hyperlinked to the story of Jonah the prophet. The two uses of יוֹנָה in Hosea clearly have to do with birds so I’m not saying the word doesn’t mean “dove,” too. It’s both, I think. In Hosea, God’s people are like jonah; they’re like a dove and the prophet who has his own section in the Book of the Twelve.

Ephraim was like a jonah, silly and without sense. They called for Egypt; they went to Assyria. As they go, I will spread my net over them. Like a bird of heaven I will bring them down. I will correct them according to the report to their assembly. (Hosea 7:11–12)

Jonah the prophet acted like a senseless/silly bird, running off to distant lands before going to Assyria. Israel did the same (Hos 7:11). Jonah was brought down to the depths, and Yahweh promises to do the same with Israel (Hos 7:12).

“They will tremble like a bird from Egypt and like a jonah from the land of Assyria. I will bring them to their houses,” declares Yahweh. (Hosea 11:11)

In the end, Israel will return to their place of rest (Hos 11:11), kind of like Noah’s jonah (Gen 8:8–12).

This is the first part of a three post series: Part 2 & Part 3.