This thesis explores the concept of inner-Judean differentiation in the judgement and salvation
oracles of Jer. 21—45. Specifically, it aims to identity the various 'polarities' of who will and
will not be saved and to explore their underlying rationale. In order to show how these concepts
interact, a synchronic approach is preferred, in which the relevant texts are analysed within their
literary units.Chapter 1 places the differentiation texts of Jer. 21-45 against the background of indiscriminate
judgement preaching in Jer. 1-20. The works of K.-F. Pohlmann, C.R. Seitz and N. Kilpp on
Jeremiah are then reviewed and assessed. It is argued that Pohlmann and Seitz, in particular,
overlook important modes of differentiation within Jer. 21-45.Chapters 2, 3 and 4 form the bulk ofthe thesis. Chapter 2 identifies three polarities in Jer. 21-
24: those who stay in Jerusalem v. those who surrender (21.1-10), Israel's leaders v. its people
(23.1-8), and the exiles in Babylon v. the non-exiles in Jerusalem (24.1-10). The hermeneutical
relationship between these passages is then discussed. Chapter 3 focuses on Jer. 27-29, which
presents two intersecting polarities; that of the exiles v. non-exiles, and that ofprophets v.
people. This configuration is complicated by the additional material in MT 29.16-20. Chapter 4
examines Jer. 37-45, where the mode of differentiation in the oracles to Ebed-Melech and
Baruch reshape the mode of differentiation in Jeremiah's message to the people of Jerusalem and
the remnant of Judah. Chapter 5 briefly describes the message of undifferentiated salvation in
Jer. 30-31.In chapter 6, it is concluded that although inner-Judean differentiation forms a prominent motif
in Jer. 21-45, no one expression of this has the final word. Rather, the juxtaposition of different
or partly similar polarities results in a kaleidoscopic picture, consistent with the book as a whole
and the period in which it was formed. It is also concluded that there is no single rationale for
judgement or salvation; however, the actual experience ofjudgement seems to facilitate the
promise of salvation. The thesis concludes by considering the relevance of the research to the
works of Pohlmann and Seitz
