Notes on ParJer (Commentary)

Structures
  Textual
  Translational
  Contextual
  Specific Passage
  Specific word(s)

Title:

Identification with Jeremiah, as supplement to other writing(s)
= ta\ paraleipo/mena I(eremi/ou (several Gk MSS V) + tou= profh/tou (some Gk)
Identification with Baruch as author, also supplement?
= "the rest of the words of Baruch" (Ethiopic)
Identification with Fall of Jerusalem (and sleep of Abimelech)
= Dih/ghsiv peri\ th=v ai)xmalwsi/av tw=n I(erosulu/mwn (MS W)

Chapters 1-4 as a unit:

Account of the fall of Jerusalem to Chaldeans from Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar
Main figure is Jeremiah (note epithets -- chosen one, servant, father, etc.), in role of a priest who is taken to Babylon with the captive people;
Secondary figure is Baruch as ally/shadow of Jeremiah and witness, to whom God will speak (3.16), and who remains behind lamenting and receives revelations through angels (4.12)
Tertiary figure Abimelech, who is sheltered from the catastrophe.
NOTE that this section sets up all three figures for what follows. Does it rest on a simpler tale of Jeremiah alone and the fall of the Temple and city?

1.1 (= 1.8)
e)ge/neto, h(ni/ka h|)xmalwteu/qhsan oi( ui(oi\ Israhl
a)po\ tou= basile/wv tw=n Xaldai/wn,
e)la/lhsen o( qeo\v pro\v (ieremi/an le/gwn:
(ieremi/a, o( e)klekto/v mou, a)na/sta,
kai\ e)/celqe e)k th=v po/lewv tau/thv, su\ kai\ Barou/x:
e)peidh\ a)polw= au)th\n
dia\ to\ plh=qov tw=n a(martiw=n tw=n katoikou/ntwn e)n au/th|=.

came to pass (e)ge/neto)] reflects LXX/OG terminology (but normally with kai/!)
taken captive] check other relevant traditions and texts (see Jer 2.26, 27.33 with "children of Israel")
king of the Chaldeans (very rare: 1 Esd 6.14, Isa 13.19, Dan-q 7.1)] normal language in Jeremiah is "king of Babylon," but "Chaldean" land or people (e.g. Jer 45.23, 47.9)
God/Lord terms (in Jer, normally Lord speaks, sometimes Lord God)
God to Jeremiah directly (note spacial dimensions later -- God departs)
spoke ... saying] rare in Jer (see 25.2)
chosen one (o( e)klekto/v mou)] survey uses of term, semitic base, etc. 1.8 (also of the city), 3.5+7,
arise and depart idiom -- semitic(izing)? check frequency, parallels -- 1.3,8 (never in Jer!)
you and Baruch] added to an older tradition? why? by whom? 1.8 (only Jer 50.6 has "and Baruch")
multitude of the sins] explanations of divine judgment 1.8 (see Jer 37.16)
those who dwell in it] does this indicate awareness of partial judgment of Israel? 1.8 (see Jer 33.15, and frequently with Jerusalem -- sometimes parallel to people of Judah)

1.2
ai( ga\r proseuxai\ u(mw=n w(v stu=lov e(drai=o/v e)stin e)n me/sw| au)th=v,
kai\ w(v tei=xov a)dama/ntinon perikuklou=n au)th/n.

prayers of Jeremiah] any special traditions? see 2.3 below
solid pillar / indestructable wall imagery
physical presence of special person as deterrant to judgment

1.3
nu=n ou)=n a)nasta/ntev e)ce/lqate
pro\ tou= h( du/namiv tw=n Xaldai/wn kuklw/sei au)th/n.

host terminology, e.g. in relation to angels

1.4-5
kai\ a)pekri/qh *(ieremi/av, le/gwn:
parakalw= se, ku/rie,
e)pi/treyo/n moi tw|= dou/lw| sou lalh=sai e)nw/pion sou.
ei)=pen de\ au)tw|= o( ku/riov:
la/lei, o( e)klekto/v mou *(ieremi/av.


permission of special person to speak before Lord/God motif; 3.6-7

1.6
kai\ e)la/lhsen *(ieremi/av, le/gwn:
ku/rie pantokra/twr,
paradi/dwv th\n po/lin th\n e)klekth\n ei)v xei=rav tw=n *xaldai/wn,
i(/na kauxh/shtai o( basileu\v meta\ tou\ plh/qouv tou= laou= au)tou=,
kai\ ei)/ph| o(/ti, i)/sxusa e)pi\ th\n i(era\n po/lin tou= qeou=;

spoke saying idiom] semitic(izing)?
almighty] associations of the term (sebaot = "of hosts"!), significance here?
chosen city] parallels?
multitude of people] idiom?
boasting of divine opponents theme?
holy city of God] see above on chosen city

1.7
mh\, kurie/ mou: a)ll' ei) qe/lhma/ sou/ e)stin,
e)k tw=n xeirw=n sou a)fanisqh/tw.

if it is your will theme
direct divine action in judgment

1.8 (= 1.1) - 9
kai\ ei)=pe ku/riov tw=| *(ieremi/a|:
e)peidh\ su\ e)klekto/v mou ei)=,
a)na/sta kai\ e)/celqe e)k th=v po/lewv tau/thv, su\ kai\ *barou/x:
e)peidh\ a)polw= au)th\n
dia\ to\ plh=qov tw=n a(martiw=n tw=n katoikou/ntwn e)n au)th=|.
ou)/te ga\r o( basileu\v, ou)/te h( du/namiv au)tou=,
dunh/setai ei)selqei=n ei)v au)th/n,
ei) mh\ e)gw\ prw=tov a)noi/cw ta\v pu/lav au)th=v.

open its gates] specific mode of divine activity

1.10
a)na/sthqi ou)=n, kai\ a)/pelqe pro\v Barou\x,
kai\ a)pa/ggeilon au)tw=| ta/ r(h/mata tau=ta.

Baruch is elsewhere! Bring him into the picture
these words (things?) idiom; see 2.1,8 (things?)

1.11
kai\ a)nasta/ntev e(/kthn w(/ran th=v nukto\v,
e)/lqete e)pi\ ta\ tei/xh th=v po/lewv,
kai\ dei/cw u(mi=n o(/ti e)a\n mh/ ti e)gw\ prw=tov a)fani/so th\n po/lin,
ou) du/nantai ei)selqei=n ei)v au)th/n.

sixth hour of the night] meaning? significance? assumes what system of hours?
on the city walls] location for viewing activities
destroy the city =? open the gates (to "enter it")?

1.12
tau=ta ei)pw\n o( ku/riov, a)ph=lqen a)po\ tou= *(ieremi/ou.

Lord departed] localization of diety?!

2.1
Jeremiah ran] parallels?
into the temple] why? not part of earlier instructions!
tore garments / sprinkled dust] tradition
holy place of God] within the temple? only Jeremiah? priest status

2.2 (= 2.4,6 in part)
in a loud voice] associations?
cried out saying] idiom
father as mode of address] how early, in what connections?
assumption of sin situation -- see explanation that follows in the text
the people as special idiom (see also 2.3

2.3
Jeremiah's regular action] other traditions?
pray] see 1.2 on efficacy of Jeremiah's prayers
mode of prayer, with dusted head
sin/forgiveness/punishment themes (intercession)

2.4 (= 2.2,6)
2.5
Jeremiah as lamenter] parallels
refrain from rendering =? don't bother to rend
rend our hearts] parallels?
image of dry trough -- why? relation to broken cisterns in Jer ?
trough ... them?
parallelism of the lament
termination of divine mercy

2.6 (see 2.2,4)
2.7
details revealed] what did Jeremiah tell Baruch earlier?
Chaldeans ... Babylon] the people and the place (naming issues)

2.8
tore garments] see 2.5
how do you know? again, what did Jeremiah already tell him!?

2.9
verification promise

2.10
altar-area] significance?
weeping and showing sign of lamenting

3.1
resumption of narrative

3.2
behold] idiom
trumpet sound] associations -- from the enemy host, or the angelic host?!
from heaven] any significance?
torches] any other connections? angels as fiery creatures

3.3
lamentation, verification
the word is true] currency of idiom?

3.4-5
beseech/pray connection
say some-thing/word?
request for delay, divine response

3.6-7
permission to speak; 1.4-5

3.8
query regarding the holy objects (Jeremiah alone? priest)

3.10-11
the earth] see other traditions!
created from amid waters theme
seven seals ... epochs] significance? eschatological scheme (see Daniel?)? world ages?
ornaments? mistranslation? eschatological significance?
earth as guardian
gathering of the beloved] return of the people? death of the agent (Jeremiah)?

3.12-13
introduction of Abimelech "the Ethiopian" (Jer 38.12)
many kindnesses] what?
miry pit] cistern?
mercy for Abimelech -- compare Jer 39.15-18 (misplaced fragment of an older tradition)!

3.14
vineyard of Agrippa (see Jer 39.10 // 52.16?)
shadow of the mountain

3.15
Jeremiah to Babylon! Contrast Jer 40.4-6 (remains in the land, at Mizpah), 43.5-7 (forcibly taken to Egypt, Taphanes), 51.59-64 (sends book to Babylon [from Israel])

3.16 see above

3.17 see above

3.18-19 see above

3.20
they both sat and wept

3.21-22
the ruse to save Abimelech
figs for the sick
glory on your head

4.1-3
opening of the gate
trumpeting "great" angel
host/multitudes

4.4a
keys of the temple
presence of the sun

4.4b-5
until the day
unfaithful guardians

4.6
Jeremiah to Babylon

4.7-10 Baruch's Lament
dust ... sat ... wailed
why? sins: ours and people's
lawless ones(!)
pity > return
boasters will not survive
blessing on patriarchs
anachronistic image

4.11-12
Baruch's parting lament
Baruch's tomb
angelic mediation of revelations

5.1- Abimelech's Tale