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Voices from the Ruins: Theodicy and the Fall of Jerusalem in the Hebrew Bible
Where was God in the sixth-century destruction of Jerusalem?
The Hebrew Bible compositions written during and around the sixth century BCE provide an illuminating glimpse into how ancient Judeans reconciled the major qualities of God—as Lord, fierce warrior, and often harsh rather than compassionate judge—with the suffering they were experiencing at the hands of the Neo-Babylonian empire, which had brutally destroyed Judah and deported its people. Voices from the Ruins examines the biblical texts “explicitly and directly contextualized by those catastrophic events”—Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Lamentations, and selected Psalms—to trace the rich, diverse, and often-polemicized discourse over theodicy unfolding therein. Dalit Rom-Shiloni shows how the “voices from the ruins” in these texts variously justified God in the face of the rampant destruction, expressed doubt, and protested God’s action (and inaction).
Rather than trying to paper over the stark theological differences between the writings of these sixth-century historiographers, prophets, and poets, Rom-Shiloni emphasizes the dynamic of theological pluralism as a genuine characteristic of the Hebrew Bible. Through these avenues, and with her careful, discerning textual analysis, she provides readers with insight into how the sufferers of an ancient national catastrophe wrestled with the difficult question that has accompanied tragedies throughout Where was God?
The Hebrew Bible compositions written during and around the sixth century BCE provide an illuminating glimpse into how ancient Judeans reconciled the major qualities of God—as Lord, fierce warrior, and often harsh rather than compassionate judge—with the suffering they were experiencing at the hands of the Neo-Babylonian empire, which had brutally destroyed Judah and deported its people. Voices from the Ruins examines the biblical texts “explicitly and directly contextualized by those catastrophic events”—Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Lamentations, and selected Psalms—to trace the rich, diverse, and often-polemicized discourse over theodicy unfolding therein. Dalit Rom-Shiloni shows how the “voices from the ruins” in these texts variously justified God in the face of the rampant destruction, expressed doubt, and protested God’s action (and inaction).
Rather than trying to paper over the stark theological differences between the writings of these sixth-century historiographers, prophets, and poets, Rom-Shiloni emphasizes the dynamic of theological pluralism as a genuine characteristic of the Hebrew Bible. Through these avenues, and with her careful, discerning textual analysis, she provides readers with insight into how the sufferers of an ancient national catastrophe wrestled with the difficult question that has accompanied tragedies throughout Where was God?
728 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2021
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November 25, 2025
4.25 out of 5 stars.
Strong book looking at the prophetic works from a socio-cultural perspective reflecting on the different views of calamity and how the people dealt with God judging them. Heavy influence from a trilemma perspective. Also segways for about 70 pages on (OT) biblical theology from both a Christian and Judeo perspective. From someone outside of the Synagogue who knew how complex the whole process is? Makes the Christian biblical theology like child's play.
Got a lot out of this and was a very interesting look at key sections of Scripture like Lamentations 2, key parts of Ezekiel and Jeremiah as well as the Psalms.
Strong book looking at the prophetic works from a socio-cultural perspective reflecting on the different views of calamity and how the people dealt with God judging them. Heavy influence from a trilemma perspective. Also segways for about 70 pages on (OT) biblical theology from both a Christian and Judeo perspective. From someone outside of the Synagogue who knew how complex the whole process is? Makes the Christian biblical theology like child's play.
Got a lot out of this and was a very interesting look at key sections of Scripture like Lamentations 2, key parts of Ezekiel and Jeremiah as well as the Psalms.
Displaying 1 of 1 review