Abstract

This article examines Jeremiah 32, a chapter closely linked to the purchase of a field in Anathoth by the prophet Jeremiah at a time when the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. was imminent. Jeremiah 32 is a multi-layered text presenting evidence of the adaptation of Jeremiah’s sign-act by various groups. While it is likely that the oldest core, verses 6b-15, presents the perspective of the people remaining in Judah after 587 B.C.E., in its final form the chapter promotes the interests of the Babylonian exiles. Although the uncovering of conflicting perceptions with regard to the land demonstrates that the use of Jeremiah 32 in present-day reflections on the land question is risky, the chapter highlights the importance of land issues. It furthermore demonstrates that biblical texts, applied in contemporary land issues, should be subjected to exhaustive redactional analyses. The different redactional stages of the texts may reveal conflicting ideologies. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2020/v33n1a7

Highlights

  • A INTRODUCTIONThe land is a important theme in the book of Jeremiah.[1]. This is noticeable from the close connection between the land and people.[2]

  • This article examines Jeremiah 32, a chapter closely linked to the purchase of a field in Anathoth by the prophet Jeremiah at a time when the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. was imminent

  • The uncovering of conflicting perceptions with regard to the land demonstrates that the use of Jeremiah 32 in present-day reflections on the land question is risky, the chapter highlights the importance of land issues

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Summary

A INTRODUCTION

The land is a important theme in the book of Jeremiah.[1]. This is noticeable from the close connection between the land and people.[2]. 108 Terblanche, “Future Belongs to us,” OTE 33/1 (2020): 107-124 promise seemed void.[4] announcements of the loss of the land predominate, some texts in the book of Jeremiah express a hope for a future life in Judah. In this regard Jeremiah 32 is of special significance. The problem of land possession is timeless and without national boundaries.[22] Postcolonial theory has revealed that colonizers often identified themselves with the conquering Israelites of the Bible.[23] the existence of conflicting views with regard to the land makes the use of Biblical texts in present-day reflections on the land question risky, a text such as Jeremiah 32 with its emphasis on the land should necessarily be taken into consideration in this debate. The implications for the identification of different voices with regard to the land for the use of this chapter in present-day reflections on the land question will be considered

The Perspective of the Remainees
The Perspective of a Goal-orientated Group
The Perspective of a Second Goal-orientated Group
C THE NOTION OF THE EMPTY LAND
D THE LAND IN JEREMIAH 32
E IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DISCUSSION OF CONTEMPORARY LAND ISSUES
F CONCLUSION
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