Representing Zion

The prophetic books of the Old Testament offer a fascinating collection of oracles, poetic images, and theological ideas. Among the most prominent themes are those of judgment and salvation, especially concerning the fate of Zion. This place, where the people of God dwell, is alternately presented as either the object of divine wrath or the image of a salvific ideal. Representing Zion provides a thorough and critical study of the images of Zion in the entire prophetic literature of the Old Testament. The book challenges traditional interpretations of Zion and offers a fresh exploration of the literary and theological nature of the biblical writings. Zion has largely been treated by scholars as an image of the inviolable city consistently and unambiguously used by Old Testament authors. Representing Zion reveals the Zion motif to be contested, complex and profoundly theological-a reflection of the ambiguous role of YHWH as judge and saviour.

Frederik Poulsen holds a PhD from the University of Copenhagen. His main research interests include the prophetic literature of the Bible, the Psalms, biblical theology, and the Old Testament as Christian Scripture. Currently, he teaches in the Department of Biblical Studies, University of Copenhagen.

Preface Introduction Part I: Zion in the Old Testament 1. Isaiah 2. Jeremiah 3. Ezekiel 4. The Book of Twelve 5. The Remaining Books Part II: The Zion Motifs: Between Judgement and Salvation 6. The Enemy Attack on Zion 7. The Deliverance of Zion 8. The Defeat of Zion and the Exile 9. The Return to Zion 10. The New Zion Conclusion Bibliography Index