The Representation of Egypt in the Book of Jeremiah

Abstract

This chapter discusses the representation of Egypt in the book of Jeremiah. The prophetic traditions embedded in the book of Jeremiah portray Egypt in a negative way across the span of the history of the people of Israel, from their exodus from Egypt all the way to the chaotic situation after the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. The negative portrayal of Egypt stems from the view that Egypt feeds into Judah’s rebellion against YHWH, whether in entering a political alliance with Egypt against Babylon or seeking a place of refuge in Egypt after the exile. The chapter begins with a survey of the political situation in the last decade of Judah. The study moves on to show that the prophetic references to the exodus from Egypt intend to highlight YHWH’s faithfulness and the people’s disobedience, which was manifested most poignantly in their determination to return to Egypt; a geographical move that reverses the exodus. Finally, after examining the prophetic judgments pronounced against the Judean diaspora in Egypt, the chapter concludes with a reflection on Jeremiah’s discourse on resisting the empire and forced migration.