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Why do some scholars question whether Jeremiah began prophesying in 627 or 626 BCE?
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Jeremiah
Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, oil on panel by Rembrandt, 1630: in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Some scholars question the traditional biblical date of 627/626 BCE for the beginning of Jeremiah’s prophetic career due to several historical and textual challenges.1
The primary reasons for this skepticism include:
- Identification of the Foe: The biblical account mentions a "foe from the north," which some scholars believe refers to the Babylonians of a later period rather than a threat present during the early years of King Josiah’s reign.1
- Reforms and Context: There is difficulty in clearly assigning specific messages of Jeremiah to the reign of Josiah and determining his precise attitude toward the Deuteronomic reforms.1
- Alternative Timeline: Due to these uncertainties, some researchers propose that Jeremiah actually began his ministry much later—either toward the end of Josiah’s reign or at the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim (609–598 BCE).1