Jeremiah 21-36 A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary by (Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries)

Letters to the Exiles (29:1-32)

VI For thus said Yahweh ...

Thus said Yahweh of hosts

Against the king and remnant in Jerusalem, I will bring judgment;

they will be a reproach among the nations because they

did not listen to my words sent by my servants, the prophets

oracle of Yahweh

You also did not listen

oracle of Yahweh

VII Thus said Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel ...

Ahab and Zedekiah will be given over to Nebuchadrezzar, who

will strike them down; they will become a swearword

because of their adultery and lies

oracle of Yahweh

347

vv 16-19

vv 21-23

Oracle I begins with an expanded "thus said Yahweh" messenger formula. Or-
acles II, III, and VII have two messenger formulas, an expanded "thus said Yah-
weh" formula at the beginning and an "oracle of Yahweh" formula at the end
or near the end. For other Jeremianic oracles having double formulas, see
2:2b-3 and 2:5-9. Oracles IV and V have a center "oracle of Yahweh" formula,
which can also occur (3:12; 23:23, 29, 30, 31, and 32), although it is not usual.
Oracle VI has an unusual double "thus said Yahweh ... "formula at the begin-
ning and a double "oracle of Yahweh" formula at the end. The LXX omits
"oracle of Yahweh" in Oracles II (v 9), III (v 11 ), IV (v l 4a) due to haplography,
V (v 14b), and VI (2x in v 19). It does, however, translate the concluding
"oracle of Yahweh" in Oracle VII (v 23).
Looking at the overall structure of vv 1-23, we see that the narrative has an
introduction (vv 1-3) and four thematic segments from the main letter: 1) vv
4-9; 2) vv 10-14; 3) vv 15-19; and 4) vv 20-23. The location of v 15 remains in
some doubt. This verse could be left where it is, in which case it becomes a
background statement for the judgment on the Jerusalem community, stating
that judgment will occur, despite predictions to the contrary from prophets in
Babylon. If the verse (following CL) is placed prior to v 21, then it becomes a
background statement for the judgment on Ahab and Zedekiah, putting to rest
a boast of the Babylonian exiles that they are doing just fine, with prophets of
their own. Taking the text as it currently stands (a slight change from my ear-
lier analysis; cf. Lundbom 1975: 104-6 [ = 1997: 137-39]), the four segments of
Jeremiah's letter can be seen to form a chiasmus based on key words and
theme:

A Welfare (selom) of Babylon (vv 4-9)

B Welfare (salom) of Jerusalem (vv 10-14)

B' Judgment in Jerusalem (vv 15-19)

A' Judgment in Babylon (vv 20-23)

The first half of the letter is about shalom: first the anticipated shalom of the
Babylonian exiles (v 7); then the eventual shalom of Jerusalem (v 11). The