Jeremiah

Abstract

Abstract: This chapter offers a discussion of the history of ancient Israel as related to the exile and Judahite diaspora that took place at the time in which the prophet Jeremiah is said to be active and in which the book that bears his name took shape. It focuses on the topoi of exile and diaspora. In so doing, it highlights reflection that took place at the time—e.g., the refraction of the prophetic tradition to correspond to the perspective of the Babylonian exiles, the golah, as the inheritors of the traditions and legitimacy of the former kingdom of Judah. It also shows how diaspora functions as a subset to the theme of exile in order to discount future promises of homecoming, restoration, and blessing to other Judahite communities that experienced the fall of Judah in the sixth century bce.