Jeremiah 1

A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapters 1–25

by William L. Holladay

Edited by
Paul D. Hanson

Fortress

Press Philadelphia

Jeremiah 1

A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapters 1–25

© 1986 by Fortress Press

The poem “Who Am I?” on pages 472–73 is reprinted with permission of Macmillan Publishing Company and CSM Press, Ltd., from Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Copyright © 1953, 1967, 1971 by SCM Press, Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 85-45498

ISBN 0-8006-6017-X

Hermeneia

—A Critical

and Historical

Commentary

on the Bible

Old Testament Editorial Board

Frank Moore Cross, Jr., Harvard University, chairman

Klaus Baltzer, University of Munich

Paul D. Hanson, Harvard University

S. Dean McBride, Jr., Union Theological Seminary, VA

Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm., Duke University

New Testament Editorial Board

Helmut Koester, Harvard University, chairman

Harold W. Attridge, University of Notre Dame

Eldon Jay Epp, Case Western Reserve University

Robert W. Funk, University of Montana

James M. Robinson, Claremont Graduate School

Contents

Foreword to Hermeneia

Author’s Foreword

Reference Codes

1. Abbreviations: Serial Titles, Journals, etc.

2. Short Titles of Works Often Cited

Editor’s Note

A Chronology of Jeremiah’s Career

Commentary

1:1–3* The Title of the Book

1:4–19* The Call, and Associated Visions

Excursus: The Problem of the Identity of the Foe from the North

2:1–4:4* The Accusation of Harlotry and the Appeal to Repent

4:5–10:25* Wars and Rumors of Wars

4:5–31* Yahweh Can and Will Impose the Sentence of Death

5:1–9* Even the Leaders Have Broken the Yoke

5:10–17* Jeremiah Will Mediate the Fire of Yahweh on the Nation

5:18–19* Two Brief Reflections on Judgment

5:20–29* The Rich Oppress the Poor

5:30–31* The Prophets and Priests Reject Their Calling

6:1–8* Can the People Change and So Avoid Destruction?

6:9–15* Yahweh’s Wrath Will Be Poured on Young and Old Alike

6:16–26* Yahweh Rejects Their Sacrifices

6:27–30* Jeremiah the Assayer

Excursus: The Cupellation of Silver

7:1–15* The Temple Sermon

7:16–20* No More Intercession

7:21–28* Sacrifices Have Never Been Yahweh’s Will

7:29–34* Child Sacrifice Will Bring Total Destruction

8:1–3* Pagan Worship Will Bring Its Own Punishment

8:4–13* Not Only Will the Enemy Destroy: Even the Order of Creation Will Fall

8:14–23 [9:1]* The Coming Destruction of the People Brings Jeremiah to Weep

9:1–8 [2–9]* Sins of the Tongue

9:9–10 [10–11]* Even Yahweh Will Weep Over What Is Lost

9:11–15 [12–16]* An Explanation for Misery

9:16–21 [17–22]* Death Has Entered Our Citadels

9:22–23 [23–24]*...