Editing Book of Jeremiah (section)

=== The "Confessions" of Jeremiah ===
Scholars from [[Heinrich Ewald]] onwards<ref>Ewald, Heinrich, ''Die Propheten des Alten Bundes, II: Jeremja und Hezeqiel mit ihren''
Zeitgenossen'', first edition 1840, 2nd edition; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1868. (''Commentary on the Prophets of the Old Testament, III: Nahum SSephanya, Habaqquq, 'Zakharja' XII.-XIV., Yeremja, translated by J. Frederick Smith; London: Williams & Norgate, 1878)</ref> have identified several passages in Jeremiah which can be understood as "confessions": they occur in the first section of the book (chapters 1–25) and are generally identified as Jeremiah 11:18–12.6, 15:10–21, 17:14–18, 18:18–23, and 20:7–18.<ref>{{bibleref2|Jeremiah|11:18–12.6|NKJV}}, {{bibleref2-nb|Jeremiah|15:10–21|NKJV}}, {{bibleref2-nb|Jeremiah|17:14–18|NKJV}}, {{bibleref2-nb|Jeremiah|18:18–23|NKJV}}, and {{bibleref2-nb|Jeremiah|20:7–18|NKJV}}</ref><ref>Diamond identifies several other passages also described as "confessions": see Diamond, A. R. (1987), [https://epdf.tips/queue/the-confessions-of-jeremiah-in-context-scenes-of-prophetic-drama-jsot-supplement.html The Confessions of Jeremiah in Context], JSOTSup 45, Sheffield, p. 193</ref> In these five passages, Jeremiah expresses his discontent with the message he is to deliver, but also his steadfast commitment to the divine call despite the fact that he had not sought it out. Additionally, in several of these "confessions", Jeremiah prays that the Lord will take revenge on the wicked. (for example, Jeremiah 12:3<ref>{{bibleverse|Jeremiah|12:3|KJV}}</ref>).{{sfn|Coogan|2008|p=303}}

Jeremiah's "confessions" are a type of individual [[lament]]. Such laments are found elsewhere in the psalms and the [[Book of Job]]. Like Job, Jeremiah curses the day of his birth (Jeremiah 20:14–18 and Job 3:3–10).<ref>{{bibleref2|Jeremiah|20:14–18|KJV}} and {{bibleref2|Job|3:3–10|KJV}}</ref> Likewise, Jeremiah's exclamation "For I hear the whispering of many: Terror is all around!"<ref>{{bibleverse|Jeremiah|20:10|KJV}}</ref> matches Psalm 31:13<ref>{{bibleverse|Psalm|31:13|KJV}}</ref> exactly. However, Jeremiah's laments are made unique by his insistence that he has been called by Yahweh to deliver his messages.{{sfn|Coogan|2008|p=303}} These laments "provide a unique look at the prophet's inner struggle with faith, persecution, and human suffering".{{sfn|Perdue|2006|p=1021}}