’n Besinning oor die identiteit van die knuppel van die HERE in Jeremia 51:20

Abstract

A reflection on the identity of the club of Yahweh in Jeremiah 51:20: This article reflected on the identity of the club of Yahweh referred to in Jeremiah 51 v.20. Various solutions have been offered. These solutions generally have a decisive effect on the interpretation as well as the translation of Jeremiah 51 vv. 20–23. This article commenced with an examination of Jeremiah 51 vv. 20–23. Subsequently, the immediate context of Jeremiah 51 vv.20–23, namely the other oracles against Babylon in Jeremiah vv. 50–51, was used as an interpretative lens. Attention was specifically paid to possible catchword connections with the surrounding material. The immediate context of the club song suggests that the Medes should be identified as the club of Yahweh. The translation of Jeremiah 51vv.20–23 in the Afrikaans 2020-Bible translation should therefore be preferred. The author of Jeremiah 51v.20 deliberately does not disclose the identity of the club in order to emphasise Yahweh’s sovereignty. Yahweh would bring about the demise of the Neo-Babylonian empire. The Median king was merely the instrument used by Yahweh to bring about the downfall of Babylon.

Contribution: This article demonstrated that the club song in Jeremiah 51vv.20–23 emphasises that Yahweh is sovereign – a notion prevalent in the book of Jeremiah. Yahweh would use a nation from the north as club to destroy Babylon.