Prophecy and Ideology in Jeremiah: Struggles for Authority in the Deutero-Jeremianic Prose

by Carolyn Sharp

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2003

Overview

This project examines two areas where there are important interpretive problems: the composition of the book of Jeremiah and, specifically, the provenance of and ideological functions served by the text of Jeremiah on the one hand; and the redactional interests in prophecy evident in the Deuteronomistic History on the other.

The book argues that two distinct political groups can be seen to vie for theological authority via their literary portrayals of traditions about Jeremiah and prophets generally in the Deutero-Jeremianic prose—a group in Babylon after the deportations of 597 B.C.E. that is attempting to claim political and cultic authority, and a group remaining behind in Judah after 597 that counters the political claims and related interpretive moves made by the Babylonian traditionists. The book then illustrates through analysis of prophetic roles in Jeremiah, Kings, and Deuteronomy 18 that there are substantial and fundamental discontinuities between the view of prophecy and the prophetic word presented in the Deuteronomic texts and the view presented in the Deutero-Jeremianic texts.

The results of the present study challenge the widely accepted scholarly thesis of monolithic redaction of the book of Jeremiah at the hands of the same “Deuteronomists” whose work is evident in the Deuteronomistic History.

Contents

Top Highlights

“when apparently minor differences, distinctions, or anomalies” (Page xi)

Product Details

• Title: Prophecy and Ideology in Jeremiah: Struggles for Authority in the Deutero-Jeremianic Prose
• Author: Carolyn J. Sharp
• Publisher: T & T Clark
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 288

About Carolyn Sharp

Research explores aspects of the composition, redaction, and rhetoric of Hebrew Scripture texts. In recent articles, she has examined the representation of Hebrew Bible traditions in the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls, urged the creation of a multivocal Old Testament theology shaped by the notion of diaspora identity, and explored the potential of Old Testament hermeneutics to address contemporary ecclesial debates. Professor Sharp’s book, Prophecy and Ideology in Jeremiah (T&T Clark, 2003) treats literary-critical and redactional problems in Jeremiah and related issues in Kings and Deuteronomy. One of her current book projects, Irony and Meaning in the Hebrew Bible: The Power of the Unspoken in Sacred Texts, explores literary and theological aspects of irony in Old Testament texts. Another book project, Wrestle This Word: Old Testament Studies and the Christian Believer, will reflect theologically on contemporary developments in the field of Old Testament in accessible terms geared to seminary students and pastors. An Episcopal Church Foundation Fellow, Professor Sharp is active in the Episcopal Church, preaching and leading parish study groups on biblical theology and hermeneutics. BOOKS Prophecy & Ideology in Jeremiah: Struggles for Authority in the Deutero-Jeremianic Prose (2003)