Fight or Flight: Jeremiah's Polemic Against Emigration to Egypt in Literary and Historical Perspective
Open Access
- Author:
- Hoffman, Sara Lynn
- Graduate Program:
- History
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 18, 2015
- Committee Members:
- Gerald Neil Knoppers, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Baruch Halpern, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Donald B Redford, Committee Member
Kenneth Gale Hirth, Committee Member
Janina M Safran, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Jeremiah
Biblical Studies
Ancient Near East
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomistic History - Abstract:
- This study evaluates Jeremiah’s polemic against emigration to Egypt from both literary and historical perspectives. Previous interpretations have emphasized the Deuteronomistic character of this polemic. In contrast, this study moves beyond noting superficial similarities with Deut 17, Deut 28, and 2 Kgs 25. It analyzes how themes and language shared with Deuteronomistic literature actually function in the Jeremianic context and in what ways their Jeremianic usage diverges from Deut and DtrH and attests to the diversity of the Deuteronomistic schools. It then evaluates what practical role the theological rhetoric of Jeremiah played in the political, social, and economic landscape of the 6th century BCE. Situating Jer 42's prohibition within the literary context of Jer 37–44, this study identifies two distinctive stages of development for this narrative block: an early 6th century BCE pro- remnant core and a later 6th century BCE adaptation and expansion by members of the Babylonian golah. Despite shared material, there are important differences between Jer 37– 44's representation of the period from the siege of Jerusalem through Gedaliah's tenure at Mizpah and DtrH's narration of these events in 2 Kgs 25, particularly regarding flight to Egypt and the viability of Judean communities in Egypt. Further, while the editors of both stages of Jer 37–44 appeal to Dtr rhetoric to support their views, they do so in different ways. In contrast to the pro-golah editors whose use of Dtr diction is very similar to DtrH, the pro- remnant core reshapes the language of Deuteronomy as a means of promoting submission to Babylon. In doing so, it presents views of conquest, exile, and Judah’s relationship to foreign powers that do not easily align with Deuteronomy itself. Finally, this study argues that the pro-remnant core’s appeal to the authority of Deuteronomy was necessary precisely because the opportunities available to foreigners in Egypt during this period made it such an attractive destination for refugees. Collaborators had a vested interest in maintaining stability under Babylonian rule because their status and property rights were tied to it. In its earliest stages, the prohibition against flight to Egypt represents an ongoing attempt by Babylonian collaborators to persuade Judeans to remain in the land.