Why?... How Long? Studies on Voice(s) of Lamentation Rooted in Biblical Hebrew Poetry

This volume is born out of two years of academic presentations on laments in the Biblical Hebrew Poetry Section at the Society of Biblical Literature (2006-2007). The topics of these papers are gathered around the theme of "voice." The two parts to this volume: 1) provide fresh readings of familiar texts as they are read through the lens of lamentation, and 2) deepen our understanding of Israel and God as lamenter and lamentee. In the second section the focus on topics such as Israel's "unbelieving faith" (i.e., strong accusations against the God on whom they have complete reliance and trust), the unrighteous lamenter, and God's acceptance and rejection of the people's lament(s), deepens our understanding of Israel's culture and practice of lamentation. The final essay notes how the expression of despair is in tension with the poetic devices that contain it.

Carol J. Dempsey, OP, is Professor of Theology (Biblical Studies/Old Testament) at the University of Portland, USA.

LeAnn Snow Flesher is an ordained minister with the American Baptist Churches, USA, and Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at the American Baptist Seminary of the West, USA.

Mark J. Boda is Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Canada.

Table of Contents
Preface
LeAnn Snow Flesher and Carol J. Dempsey
Abbreviations
List of Contributors
Part I
Hear this Word that I Take up over You in Lamentation (Amos 5:1): Lamentation Themes in the Book of Amos
Jason H. Radine, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

A Study of the References to BaT'-'ammi in Jer 8:18-23: A Gendered Lamentation
Ahida Calderón Pilarski, Saint Anselm College

Micah 1:1-16 and 7:1-10: A Poet's Cry of the Heart in the midst of Tragic Vision
Carol J. Dempsey, University of Portland

My God ...Why? Questioning the Action and Inaction of YHWH in the Psalms
Andrew Davies

Boxed by the Orthodox: The Function of Lamentations 3:22-39 in the Message of the Book
Walter C. Bouzard

"Uttering Precious Rather than Worthless Words": Divine Patience and Impatience with Lament in Isaiah and Jeremiah
Mark J. Boda, McMaster University

A Critique Against God?: Reading Psalm 80 in the Context of Vindication
Hee Suk Kim, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

One Good "Turn" Deserves Another? Rhetorical Strategy in Joel 2:12-17
Joel Barker

Tricksters and Martyrs: Reading Daniel 9 as Lament within the Context of the Entire Book
LeAnn Snow Flesher, American Baptist Seminary of the West/Graduate Theological Union

Can the Unrighteous Lament? Lament Speech and Reconciliation
Elna K. Solvang, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

The Poetic Beauty of Grief in Lamentations
Victoria Hoffer, Yale University

Bibliography
Index of References
Index of Authors