ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

Jerusalem handed over and burned by the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 21, 34, 37–38)

Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, artist’s impression by Rembrandt (1630, Rijksmuseum); the city burns in the background.
Artist’s impression Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, artist’s impression by Rembrandt (1630, Rijksmuseum); the city burns in the background. — Rembrandt, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

◐ Written shortly before or at the time: it cannot be decided

Written c. 589–587 BC according to tradition; 589–550 BC according to historians. Event: 587–586 BC.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. The prophet Jeremiah, in the book of Jeremiah, around 589–587 BC, during the siege, announces that Jerusalem will be handed over to the king of Babylon and burned, unless the king surrenders.

What happened. In 587 or 586 BC, Jerusalem is taken and set on fire. Excavations have found burned buildings, ashes and arrowheads, as well as the seals of two officials named in the book of Jeremiah.

What is still debated. the city was besieged by the leading power of the time, and its burning was the most likely outcome, so the oracle mainly shows the prophet's consistency.

What would be striking if the text came first

Jeremiah holds to his announcement even when the Babylonians lift the siege for a time. And the names of his opponents come out of the ground on small clay seals. The oracle dates from the siege itself: it shows the prophet’s stubbornness more than a long-range forecast.

Main objection (in French for now)

L’oracle est prononcé pendant un siège mené par la première puissance de l’époque, contre une ville qui avait déjà capitulé en 597 : la prise et l’incendie étaient l’issue la plus probable.

The text (World English Bible)

“The LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Go, and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, the LORD says, “Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.

Jer 34:2

The Chaldeans will come again, and fight against this city. They will take it and burn it with fire.”’ “The LORD says, ‘Don’t deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely depart from us;” for they will not depart. For though you had struck the whole army of the Chaldeans who fight against you, and only wounded men remained among them, they would each rise up in his tent and burn this city with fire.’”

Jer 37:8-10

Sources