Economics and writing in Jeremiah 32

Thesis

In Jeremiah 32, the portrayal of economic writing creates conditions suitable for reading Jer 32 as a creative and productive analogy for prophetic writing. The composite nature of the text allows it to be read as a microcosm of the growth of the Book of Jeremiah.

Just as economic writing secures testimony to a transaction, conveys ownership through time, and offers the possibility of economic renewal after exile, prophetic writing secures testimony to the divine message, conveys divine speech through time, and offers the possibility of covenant renewal after exile. What is more, Jer 32 presents economic writing as the prophet's initiative, and the expansion of the historical sign-act into the wider narrative of the chapter presents a sophisticated evocation of the potential of prophetic writing to address circumstances in other times and places.

The transformation of the sign-act of Jer 32.6–15 into a written prophetic text, and the growth of the text over time, allows Jer 32 to be read as a microcosm of the development of the Book of Jeremiah. The realism of the material details enhances the persuasive effect of the analogy between economic and prophetic writing, rather than providing a precise basis for identifying the origins of elements of the composite text of Jer 32.

Jer 32 does not offer a presentation of ethical norms for the economic practice of redemption of land. Redemption of land and economic hope are, of course, central to the narrative of Jer 32 as a whole. Jer 32 does not, however, offer a clear prospective ethic for economic practices. Instead, the economic practice of redemption, with all its details, provides narrative realism for the text, and the economic practice of writing provides a narrative analogue for the idea of prophetic writing.

Authors: Drake, L

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-9gjzqopjy
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Subjects: Writing--History; Bible. Old Testament; Economic history