Yirmeyahu's Confrontation With Chananyah/2

Yirmeyahu's Confrontation With Chananyah

Exegetical Approaches

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Overview

Commentators take one of two general approaches to the fundamental questions of Yirmeyahu 28.  Many commentators understand Yirmeyahu’s speech in verses 6-9 as asserting the veracity of his own prophecy and the falsehood of Chananyah’s.  This interpretation is based on the assumption that the authenticity of a prophet can only be established through a positive prophecy, not through a negative prophecy.  This understanding informs the commentators’ approach to the other questions of the chapter, such as understanding Yirmeyahu’s apparently respectful tone and the purpose of the sign of Chananyah’s death. 

Other commentators interpret Yirmeyahu’s speech to mean that there is no fundamental difference between positive and negative prophecies with regard to establishing a prophet’s authenticity, and therefore neither Yirmeyahu nor Chananyah can be assumed to be true prophets yet at this point in the narrative.  This understanding likewise shapes their approach to the other questions of the chapter.  

Prophets Can Only Be Tested Through Positive Prophecies

This approach understands Yirmeyahu’s speech as proving his authenticity as a prophet and Chananyah’s falsehood based on the difference between positive and negative prophecies.  

Sources:Yalkut ShimoniYirmeyahu 28:6Yirmeyahu 28:7About Yalkut Shimoni, RashiYirmeyahu 28:7About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, R. Yosef KaraYirmeyahu 28:5Yirmeyahu 28:7About R. Yosef Kara, RadakYirmeyahu 28:6Yirmeyahu 28:7About R. David Kimchi, Metzudat DavidMetzudat David Yirmeyahu 28:8Metzudat David Yirmeyahu 28:9About R. David Altschuler, MalbimDevarim 18:21Yirmeyahu Beur HaInyan 28:5Yirmeyahu Beur HaInyan 28:7Yirmeyahu Beur HaInyan 28:9About R. Meir Leibush Weiser