Een slachtoffer heeft JHWH in het Noorderland (Jer 46:10)

Abstract

For the Lord will offer sacrifice in the land of the North (Jer 46:10). The present article ‘For the Lord will offer sacrifice in the land of the North (Jer 46:10)’ combines two focal points of my research, namely the issue of the Old Testament image of God and the interpretation of the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 46:2–12, the first oracle against Egypt sketches a frightening picture of the destruction of Egypt’s army, which was crushingly defeated by the Babylonians at Carchemish. The destruction is represented as a sacrificial meal, at which the divine sword feasts on the flesh and the blood of God’s enemies. In order to adequately understand the purport of his prophetic interpretation, I present a contextual exegesis of the pericope. It is read in its literary context and against its historical background. After a concise analysis of its structure and a detailed exegesis of the pivotal verse (46:10), I conclude with a theological evaluation concerning the meaning and significance of this eerie prophecy.