The Retributive and Suffering God of the Book of Jeremiah

Portraits of YHWH as a retributive and a suffering God appear side by side in the book of Jeremiah. Not surprisingly, scholars usually emphasize the contrast and conflict between them. In addition to obvious differences, they also tend to feature in different types of literary material in the book; that is, in prose and poetry. Hkon Sunde Pedersen's study challenges the common view by offering a new interpretation of some of the portraits in which not only radical differences but points of unity and connection between them come to light. Based on these observations, the author suggests that the portraits' juxtaposition in the book may ultimately contribute to highlighting central theological concerns in the book in its present (MT) form.