Narrative as Ideology: Synchronic (Narrative Critical) and Diachronic Readings of Jeremiah 37–38

Abstract

While synchronic and diachronic readings of Old Testament texts are generally taken as methodologically diverse, there have been recent attempts to explore how the two readings may in fact be complementary. Taking the narrative of Jeremiah's final audience with Zedekiah in Jeremiah 37–38, this article offers just such a reading of the text. One episode from this narrative, Jer 37:11–16, is taken as an example of a synchronic (narrative critical) reading of the text. Two examples of diachronic readings are then offered, drawing on the work of Seitz and Stipp. The article argues that a diachronic reading of this narrative is necessary and complementary to a synchronic reading. The ideological nature of this story of Jeremiah's imprisonment becomes clearer.