Jeremiah Chronologically
I believe I saw this years ago in the forum, but does anyone know if Jeremiah has been put in chronological order (and if Kings, Chronicles, Daniel, and Ezekiel contemporary history were included that would be an even greater asset). The chronology that I have is:
Jeremiah chronology
- Josiah (640–609): chs. 1–6; 14–16.
- Jehoiakim (609–598): chs. 17; 7–11; 26; 35; 22:1–19; 25; 18–20; 36:1–4; 45; 36:5–32; 12.
- Jehoiachin (598–597): chs. 22:20–30; 13; 23.
- Zedekiah (597–586): chs. 24; 29–31; 46–51 (?); 27; 28; 21; 34; 32; 33; 37–39.
- After the fall of Jerusalem (586 - ): chs. 40–44; 52
Comments
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The difficulty is that scholars differ greatly on how they assign certain passages to different periods. Reconstructing the chronology of the book of Jeremiah should take into account the following: the significantly different orders (and occasionally dating formulae) of the Massoretic Text and the Septuagint, both of which have some support from the Dead Sea Scrolls; a possible reconstruction of what was on the first scroll that was burned, what was originally written on the second scroll, and what was added later; the role of Baruch in compiling and updating certain portions of what we have; the separate transmission of the oracles against the nations (found in the back of the MT but in the middle of the LXX and in a different order) and the role of Baruch's brother, Seraiah, in its formation; potentially different origins for what Mowinckel called the A, B, C and D sources (although I am skeptical of Mownickel's work here); and the possibility of other editorial updates at the time that chapter 52 was added as an appendix (similar to John 21 as an appendix to the Gospel of John). For example, while the earliest layer of Jeremiah 1-6 goes back to Josiah's reign, some of the material may come from a later period. Conversely, some of Jeremiah 30-31 may date back to the Josianic period, and certainly some of the oracles against the nations come from an earlier time than Zedekiah. Even the oracle against Egypt probably dates from three different periods, and there is a similar phenomenon in the other prophetic judgment speeches against the nations. It is very difficult to sort out with a high degree of confidence.
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Tim Finlay said:
The difficulty is that scholars differ greatly on how they assign certain passages to different periods.
Tim, it seems you may be thinking of something different than 'Thinking' was thinking about. He is not asking about the chronology of the construction of the book, but a chronological arrangement of the book according to the events referred to.Perhaps I misunderstand your reply or his question.
In answer to the question I believe was being asked, I cannot say that I have ever seen such an arrangement.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
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Books similar to this provide what you want:
Gagnon, Richard M. Footsteps through the Bible: A 52-Week Chronological Bible Reading Plan & Study Reference. Alresford, Hampshire: John Hunt Publishers Ltd, 2000.
or
Jackson, Jeffrey Glen. Synopsis of the Old Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.
or
Geneste, Maximilian. The Parallel Histories of Judah and Israel, with Copious Explanatory Notes. Vol. 2. London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1843.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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Mark Smith said:
He is not asking about the chronology of the construction of the book, but a chronological arrangement of the book according to the events referred to.
Yes, that was my question. I was interested in a resource that was arranging Jeremiah in chronological order with relevant links to Kings, Chronicles, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc. I am teaching a Bible study class on Jeremiah and such a chronological resource would be helpful.
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