The Book of Lamentations in Recent Research

Abstract

Over the past decade there has been an unprecedented explosion of interest in the book of Lamentations. This increased attention has led to the writing of more dissertations, monographs and articles since 1990 than had been pro duced in the previous half century. This article offers a brief overview of some of the more important aspects of that research, as well as a summary of the significant trends in scholarship that have surfaced in the past several years. A more relentlessly brutal piece of writing is scarcely imaginable. This short biblical book affronts the reader with a barrage of harsh and violent images...the reader is not so much engaged by the book of Lamentations as assaulted by it (Linafelt 2000: 2). The Book of Lamentations calls its readers to remember the sacred events of their past, to reflect on them, to relive them again, to learn from them, and eventually to find hope in that knowledge (Polan 1996: 16).

The Ancient Versions of Lamentations

“…The same can be said of the survey of Miller (2002). Only one work related to the text and versions is mentioned by Miller, namely the work of Albrektson published in 1963, and that in a survey of work done mainly in the last decade of the previous century.…”

Pengharapan Di Tengah Penghukuman: Sebuah Teologi Kitab Ratapan

“…C.W. Miller menelusuri perkembangan penelitian terhadap Kitab Ratapan periode tahun 1990-2002 dan menemukan peningkatan yang signifikan terhadap penelitian Kitab Ratapan melalui disertasi, monograf, dan artikel (Miller 2002). Sebagian besar penelitian yang dilakukan selama periode tersebut menggunakan pendekatan historis-kritis tradisional dan sastra.…”

Klaagliedere by Qumran: ’n Tweede redaksie?

“…Westermann beskou dus nie die teks van Klaagliedere problematies genoeg om daaraan veel aandag te gee nie. Miller (2002) verwys alleen maar na die werk van Albrektson (1963) wat die teks en ou vertalings van Klaagliedere betref, maar gee geen aandag aan die saak van die teks van Klaagliedere nie. Dieselfde geld drie onlangse kommentare oor Klaagliedere.…”