Book of the Covenant (30:1-31:40) 409rhetorical structure for the poetic core (see Rhetoric and Composition for
30:4-7). Since hinneh ("Look") beginning v 23 is also lacking in LXX, the larger
omission is likely attributable to haplography (homoeoteleuton: h ... h). The
formula is present in 4QJerc, Symm, Theod, T, and Vg, and hinneh is translated
by Aq, Symm, T, and Vg. The covenant formula undergirds Yahweh's promise
of future restoration, a function it also has in 31: I. As was noted above, ANE
treaties promise a restoration of national life, expansion, and indigenous rulers
if the treaty is kept. A similar logic mutatis mutandis can be assumed to operate
here. With the covenant between Yahweh and his people intact, a restoration
of cities and buildings, indigenous rule, and a return to joyful community life
will all occur. On the covenant formula in Jeremiah and elsewhere, see Note
for 7:23.MESSAGE AND AUDIENCE
Yahweh begins this oracle by saying that he intends to restore the fortunes of
"Jacob's tents," the archaic language being an indication that things new will
include things old. Yahweh says he cares about fallen buildings; therefore, a
city will arise on its former ruins and a citadel will sit where it once did. Does
Yahweh mean every city and every citadel, or is he talking simply about Jeru-
salem? Surely Jerusalem will be rebuilt. At this time there will also be a return
of joyful sounds-people singing thanksgiving songs to Yahweh, happy dancers
in the square, children playing in the streets. People will multiply in number
and Yahweh will give them honor. Jacob's sons, all of them, will be as of old,
with the congregation once again gathering for worship. Yahweh will now
reckon with all who oppress Jacob, and a leader from within the ranks shall
arise. Yahweh will bring this leader near him, as he did with Moses, for other-
wise who will risk his life to approach Yahweh? To this oracle is added the
covenant formula, for a restoration of this magnitude is unthinkable without
there being a covenant between Yahweh and his people.
This oracle is spoken to a Judahite audience after the fall of Jerusalem in 586
B.C., perhaps soon after, at which time the hope is for a later rebuilding of Jeru-
salem. Later it will speak to an enlarged audience of Israelite and J udahite
exiles, both of whom will be promised restoration in the Land of Promise. The
accent now is on the fact that all the sons of Jacob will be accounted for. North-
ern exiles from Assyria will join southern exiles from Babylon, and together-
with Yahweh's help-they will rebuild the land and see there a joyful return to
the community life they once knew.
f) Yahweh's Desert Storm (30:23-24)
30 23 Look! the tempest of Yahweh
wrath goes forth
a sweeping tempest
Upon the head of the wicked it whirls