The Imperial Voice
The Imperial Voice
Chapter 1 presents an analysis of Jer 40:1–6, which contains a lengthy speech from the Babylonian officer Nebuzaradan to Jeremiah after the demolition of Jerusalem. Even though Nebuzaradan is introduced in chapter 39, he is given no direct speech, and is only mentioned as the supervisor of the destruction and deportation of the city. Yet at the beginning of chapter 40 he sounds very much like an Israelite prophet, and offers Jeremiah the opportunity either to journey to Babylon or remain behind under the stewardship of Gedaliah. Because it is suggested that Nebuzaradan is configured as an agent of divine justice in the narrative, other aspects of the text that are considered in this chapter include the characterization of King Zedekiah and the prospects for the community now that the invasion is past and the Babylonians offer the remnant another chance to live in the land.
Keywords: King Nebuchadrezzar, Ramah, Mizpah, Nebuzaradan, Babylon, Jeremiah, King Zedekiah
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