Theology in Conflict: Reactions to the Exile in the Book of Jeremiah

346 Pages·1989·24.24 MB·English

by  Christopher R. Seitz

Christopher R. Seitz
Theology in Conflict

Christopher R. Seitz
Theology in Conflict
Reactions to the Exile in the Book of Jeremiah
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DE
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York
1989
Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Herausgegeben von Otto Kaiser
176
Printed on acid free paper
(ageing resistent — pH 7, neutral)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Seitz, Christopher R.
Theology in conflict : reactions to the Exile in the book of
Jeremiah / Christopher R. Seitz.
p. cm. — (Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft ; 176)
Abridgement of thesis (Ph. D.) — Yale University, 1986.
Bibliography: p.
Includes indexes.
ISBN 0-89925-303-2 (U.S. : alk. paper)
1. Jews —History—953 —586 B. C. 2. Jews-History-Babylo-
nian captivity, 598-515 B.C. 3. Bible. Ο. T. Jeremiah-Theology.
I. Title. II. Series: Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche
Wissenschaft ; 176.
BS410.Z5 vol. 176
[DS121.6]
221.6 s —dcl9
[221.9'5] 89-1293
CIP
CIP-Kur^tite lauf nähme der Deutschen Bibliothek
Seitz, Christopher R.:
Theology in conflict: reactions to the exile in the Book of Jeremiah
I Christopher R. Seitz. — Berlin ; New York : de Gruyter, 1989
(Beiheft zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft ;
176)
Zugl.: New Haven, Yale Univ., Diss., 1986
ISBN 3-11-011223-X
NE: Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft / Beiheft
ISSN: 0934-2575
© Copyright 1989 by Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin 30.
Printed in Germany — Alle Rechte des Nachdrucks, einschließlich des Rechts der Herstellung
von Photokopien — auch auszugsweise — vorbehalten.
Satz und Druck: Arthur Collignon GmbH, Berlin 30
Bindearbeiten: Lüderitz & Bauer, Berlin 61
to
Thomas Comstock Seit2
Janet Reese Seitz
η,η-,33 ^nr 31Ü

Preface
This study of conflict in the exilic period is a shortened version of a
dissertation submitted in 1986 to Yale University for the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy. It is a broad-based study which examines history, sociology,
and the biblical literature relevant for the period, including Ezekiel, 2
Kings 24 — 25, and especially the Book of Jeremiah.
I would like to thank my dissertation director, Professor Robert R.
Wilson, and my colleagues at Yale Divinity School, Professors Brevard S.
Childs and Robert Lansing Hicks, for their support and encouragement.
Mr. Donald J. Westblade provided invaluable technical assistance with
preparation of the final manuscript. Ms. Corrine L. Patton prepared the
index.
I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Frederick W. Hilles
Publication Fund of Yale University for their generous financial assistance
with publication expenses. The Episcopal Church Foundation and Lu-
theran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia provided further support.
Finally I would like to thank Professor Dr. Otto Kaiser and Walter
de Gruyter & Co., publishers, for accepting my manuscript in this series.
This book is dedicated to my parents in gratitude for their faith and
and love of life.
New Haven, 1 January 1989 Christopher R. Seitz

Table of Contents
Chapter One: The Nature of the Problem 1
Chapter Two: Judahite Society and Kingship Prior to the Exile ... 7
Introduction 7
I. Socio/Historical Study of the Exilic Period 8
CHART ONE 9
CHART TWO 10
CHART THREE 12
II. The Exilic Period 14
A. Introduction 14
B. Historical Background 21
C. Judah in the "Egyptian-Babylonian Maelstrom" 23
CHART FOUR 25
D. Shifting Political Allegiances, Judah, 712-640 B. C. . . 31
1. Hezekiah 31
2. Manasseh 33
3. Amon 37
E. Excursus: The "People of the Land" 42
1. Excursus: The "Queen Mother" in Judahite Society 52
2. The "People of the Land" (Conclusion) 55
2 Kings 25:1-3 57
2 Kings 24:18-21 58
2 Kings 24:10-17 60
2 Kings 11:13-20; 21:19-26; 23:28-30 61
F. Summary and Transition 65
G. Shifting Political Allegiances, Judah, 640-597 B. C. . . 71
1. Josiah 72
2. Jehoahaz (Shallum) 80
3. Jehoiakim (Eliakim) 85
H. Conflict in History: Conclusions 100
Chapter Three: The Dissolution of Judahite Kingship and Kingdom:
The 597 Perspective of Ezekiel and the Deuteronomistic History 103
Introduction 103
I. The Death of Jehoiakim — A Conspiracy of Silence? .... 105
CHART FIVE 110
II. The 597 Perspective of Ezekiel Traditions 121
A. Judahite Kingship and Kingdom: An Introduction . . . 121