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A peculiar phenomenon in the book of Jeremiah has, in the author's opinion, not fully received the attention it deserves: the frequent repetition or reuse of material in quotations and doublets. This chapter focuses on one such doublet: the reuse of Jer 6:22-24 in 50:41-43. This remarkable doublet reverses the object against which the message of judgement is directed: the pursuer of Jeremiah 6 becomes the prey in Jeremiah 50. The chapter provides a translation and explanation of 6:22-24, and a comparison of these verses to 50:41-43. It discusses the structure of Jeremiah 50-51, some conclusions are drawn concerning the particular nature and theological function of the quotation of Jer 6:22-24 in 50:41-43. In light of the original text in Jer 6:22-24 and read within its own immediate context, the doublet of 50:41-43 shows itself to have a functional place emphasizing the theological message of the great oracle against Babylon. Keywords: Babylon; Jeremiah 50-51; oracle

This chapter starts with a passage, which describes the largely prosaic Jeremiah 3745. Within the context of these chapters, the account of the assassination of Gedaliah is somewhat unique and remarkable. The chapter sets out to elucidate the place and meaning of this pericope in the prophecies of Jeremiah and proposes a textual division and narrative structure. It examines the most important questions that arise from the text, focusing first on the characters and then on the issues of time and place. This will be followed by a reflection on the nature and function of the passage within the context of Jeremiah, so as to finish with a tentative observation concerning its authorship.Keywords: assassination of Gedaliah; Jeremiah 40:7-41:18

In this article the offensive prayer of Psalm 139:21-22 with its dubious utterance of hatred is investigated with regard to its particular language, context and intentions. First, it is argued that the central notion of ‘hatred’ does not necessarily imply malicious intentions. Subsequently, the immediate context of verses 21-22 is studied. The structure of the psalm strongly favours the idea of an original unity of the psalm, which prevents us from discarding verses 21-22 as a redactional addition. On the contrary, these verses form an integral part of this psalm, which is a meditative confession with three theological motifs in particular: a) God’s knowing and searching, b) the ethical issue of the two ‘ways’, and c) the rejection of the wicked—themes that are strongly interrelated. Within this context, verses 21-22 function as a confession in the negative mode. To the poet hating the enemy is primarily the reverse of his turning and dedication to YHWH. The emphasis is not so much on the emotions of the poet as well as on his choice to take a stand and on his attitude. Next, the utterance of verses 21-22 is examined within its own conceptual and spiritual framework, and its own religious and social life-scene. By hating God’s enemies the poet relates to God’s own hatred of the wicked and his curse on them. Finally, the question is discussed whether in today’s Christian faith and worship such prayers can still have some function.

The essays in this volume focus on the interpretation of the Book of Psalms and comparable texts in the Hebrew Bible. A variety of methods is applied to the ancient texts. Some essays concentrate on composition and structure, others on redaction and context. It is of great interest to see that each approach has its strength and its limits: stressing the importance to read the Psalms with a multi-dimensional matrix of methods. By viewing the Psalms as prayers, and thus as expressions of both faith and despair, a perspective on the contents of the ancient hymns and their functions in daily life has been opened. This volume contains various incentives for future research.