city of humankind, Babel (inserts 2 and 3, 12:1–20:10), might take place at any time and any place in the eastern Mediterranean, since these visions explain the major events of the past that account for social conditions as the prophet experienced them. On the other hand, it seems certain that the final composition of the work in its present form took place some time after the destruction of Jerusalem among persons who saw no signs of rebuilding. The main reason for this: “For all persons in the
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