The Sins of Josiah and Hezekiah: A Synchronic Reading of the Final Chapters of Kings

The double redaction theory of the Deuteronomistic History has its roots in the claim that there are logical discontinuities in the narrative from Manasseh to the end of 2 Kings. This article argues, however, that it is possible to see a coherent narrative in a synchronic reading of the final chapte...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Janzen, David 1968- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2013
In: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2013, Volume: 37, Issue: 3, Pages: 349-370
Further subjects:B Manasseh
B Hezekiah
B Deuteronomistic History (redaction of)
B book of Kings (redaction of)
B Josiah
B Frank Moore Cross
B Jehoiachin
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
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Summary:The double redaction theory of the Deuteronomistic History has its roots in the claim that there are logical discontinuities in the narrative from Manasseh to the end of 2 Kings. This article argues, however, that it is possible to see a coherent narrative in a synchronic reading of the final chapters of Kings once we recognize them as presenting a series of lessons to the Davidide in exile. Among the important lessons in 2 Kings 18–25 for Jehoiachin to learn is that, although he has received a negative evaluation from the narrative, the past sins on the parts of Josiah (for initially continuing Manasseh's sin) and Hezekiah (for initially failing to trust Yhwh to deliver Jerusalem) are ignored by Yhwh once they act rightly, and so are erased from their evaluations. It is still possible for Jehoiachin to earn an impeccable evaluation himself if he trusts Yhwh to deliver as Hezekiah eventually learned to do, and leads the nation in repentance as Josiah eventually did.
ISSN:1476-6728
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0309089213475396