Water Imagery in the Book of Jeremiah

What role does water imagery play in the Book of Jeremiah (MT)?

Water imagery, with its complex manifestations—presence of water, drought, and tears—plays a central role in the Book of Jeremiah (JerMT). It provides unity and structure to this Book. This monograph conducts a close reading of all direct and indirect occurrences of water imagery to demonstrate its literary function. It also adopts B. Harshav’s theory of metaphor and frames of reference as a fundamental methodological tool. Harshav’s approach allows for an analysis of water imagery in both its metaphorical and literal meanings. This perspective enables the study to interpret the related images in light of Israel’s real-life experience of atmospheric phenomena, including rain, wind, and drought. It reveals how images within the text interact, evolve, transform, and sometimes contrast with one another. The interplay between the water frame and the covenant frame illustrates how JerMT reinterprets Israel’s history—from the crisis and break of the covenant to its promised restoration.

In addition to the detailed examination of the literary function of water imagery, this study also highlights the social, ecological, and theological messages of JerMT.