Jeremiah, Baruch

by Pauline A. Viviano

Overview

Jeremiah grew up in a time of peace and died in exile. He lived to see the temple burned to the ground, Jerusalem destroyed, and his people marched into a foreign land. A reluctant prophet, Jeremiah preached the renewal of the covenant, teaching in parables like Jesus. His God was a God of hope, promise, power, and the will to make the people of Israel a holy people.

The book of Baruch deals with the challenges faced by the Jews of the Diaspora who never returned to their homeland. Out of their exile, they became the people of "the book" gathering in their synagogues, studying the law and the prophets, and producing their own inspired sacred literature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814628485
Publisher:	Liturgical Press, The
Publication date:	09/15/2013
Series:	New Collegeville Bible Commentary , #14
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.31(d)

About the Author

Pauline A. Viviano is an associate professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago. She received her doctorate in biblical languages and literature from St. Louis University. Besides articles in academic and popular journals, her publications include reading guides for the books of Joshua, Judges, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, and Ruth for the Catholic Study Bible published by Oxford University Press, and Collegeville Bible Commentary Volume 2: Genesis (Liturgical Press, 1985). In addition to university teaching she often lectures at parishes in and around Chicago.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations 4

The Book of Jeremiah 5

Introduction 5

Text and Commentary 9

Oracles in the Days of Josiah (Jeremiah 1:1-6:30) 9

Oracles Primarily from the Days of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 7:1-20:18) 28

Oracles in the Last Years of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 21:1-25:38) 64

The Temple Sermon (Jeremiah 26:1-24; cf. 7:1-15) 78

Controversies with the False Prophets (Jeremiah 27:1-29:32) 80

Oracles of the Restoration of Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 30:1-35:19) 86

Jeremiah and the Fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 36:1-45:5) 103

Oracles Against the Nations (Jeremiah 46:1-51:64) 119

Historical Appendix (Jeremiah 52:1-34) 137

The Book of Baruch 140

Introduction 140

Text and Commentary 143

Letter to Jerusalem (Baruch 1:1-3:8) 143

Praise of Wisdom (Baruch 3:9-4:4) 148

Baruch's Poem of Consolation (Baruch 4:5-5:9) 151

The Letter of Jeremiah (Baruch 6:1-72) 155

Review Aids and Discussion Topics 161

Index of Citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 166

Maps 167

Editorial Reviews

Viviano has given us a commentary packed with information and explanations but written in a clear and simple style. This book is an excellent guide to lead us securely through the complexities of Jeremiah and the poetic beauty of Baruch. Historical background, literary analysis, and echoes of other biblical books are all interwoven seamlessly to help the reader gain a deep understanding of these texts.
Irene Nowell, OSB, Adjunct Professor of Theology, St. John's University School of Theology

The book of Jeremiah is a rich theological witness to one of the most turbulent periods of God's relationship with Israel. In this exceptionally clear and accessible volume, Pauline Viviano has crafted a sure guide to this important book and its compelling prophet. Viviano's perceptive historical and literary insights lead the reader to an ever deeper understanding of Jeremiah's theological significance. The result is an extremely satisfying introduction, made all the better by the inclusion of an equally informative commentary on Jeremiah's less well known companion work, the book of Baruch.
Harry P. Nasuti, Professor of Biblical Studies, Fordham University

Pauline Viviano brings literary and historical sensitivity to her study of the book of Jeremiah and its companion volume, the book of Baruch. She recognizes how difficult the theology and outlook of Jeremiah's prophetic tradition can be, but she makes sense of the two books in their own worlds and brings them alive in ours. The NCBC volume provides a splendid introduction to both biblical books. Eminently readable, it shows how the books of Jeremiah and Baruch encourage the people of Israel to cling to relationship with God in the midst of upheaval and destruction of life.
Kathleen M. O'Connor, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary

The historical and theological connection between the books of Jeremiah and Baruch has long been accepted by commentators. In this commentary Viviano builds on this connection, underscoring what the two books have in common while acknowledging each book's unique character. This is a first-rate contribution to the commentary series.
Dianne Bergant, CSA, The Bible Today

I welcome Pauline Viviano's commentary on Jeremiah and Baruch to the Collegeville Bible Commentary series with praise and applause. The commentary is written in a scholarly fashion, but is readily understandable. The introductions to both books situate them in their historical context with fine insight to their literary form. Commentary on the verses of the biblical text itself are excellent. I recommend Viviano's commentary to seasoned biblical scholars as well as those who are novices in their study.
Sallie Latkovich, CSJ, Department of Biblical Language and Literature, Catholic Theological Union

From the Publisher