Prophetic Discourse in a Crisis of Exile: Purity and Group Indentity in the Book of Ezekiel (Bibical Hermeneutics Rediscovered-27)

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About the Book Prophetic Discourse in a Crisis of Exile brings into light the interpretation of purity in the context of exilic crisis with reference to prophet Ezekiel. Using sociological approach with classical exegetical methods, the book explores how the idea of purity plays an important role in drawing a distinction between the exiles and those who remained in Judah during the sixth century BCE. It shows that identity crisis caused by exilic experience and intergroup relationships during the period enhanced group identification in which purity played a significant role as a boundary marker between groups of Israelites. The book demonstrates that the prophetic literature evolved as a response to social interactions and group relationships of his time.

About the Author B. Lalnunzira is an ordained minister of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church. He teaches Old Testament and Biblical languages at Aizawl Theological College, Aizawl, Mizoram.

Foreword It is a great joy and a special privilege for me to introduce the work of my colleague Rev. Dr. B. Lalnunzira. I am delighted to learn that his doctoral dissertation has got a book form entitled Prophetic Discourse in a Crisis of Exile. Identity is a loaded term used to define an individual or a group. While inhabitants of our planet are all connected as if we are now in a global village, individuals and groups define themselves differently. This may be termed as identity. Description of identity is governed by various characteristics. Biblical literature is also marked by identification of the people of God and other groups with attribution of traits. The issue of identification of oneself and others in the Bible needs to be examined to understand how Biblical literature evolved in various contexts.

The author of this book brings into light the issue of identity in the context of Babylonian exile and how prophet Ezekiel interprets purity as a mark of identity. He shows that in a crisis of exile, prophetic discourse on purity and identity played a crucial role for the people of Israel. I am sure that the readers of this book will understand how Biblical authors delineate challenging messages in their own time. I congratulate the author for his research on this important issue and for bringing out this book.

Rev. Dr. B. Lalnunzira was my student when he did his Both in Aizawl Theological College (ATC), Aizawl. After some years of pastoral experience, he joined the teaching faculty of ATC in 2007. He was deputed to Bishop's College, Kolkata and then pursued his doctoral studies abroad. After earning his PhD degree in Biblical Studies, he has been part of the ATC faculty since June 2016 he is now my colleague. As a student, I found him outstanding, hardworking and well versed with biblical languages, and he has turned out now to be a mature and gifted scholar. It's very appropriate that this book comes out from such a person.

Introduction 1. Why Purity and Identity Matters for Ezekiel

The book of Ezekiel contains a number of references to purity.' In many instances, Israel's history and current situation is explained in relation to issues of purity and impurity. Noteworthy, in particular, is that in Ezekiel the concept of purity is frequently used in connection with groups of Israelites, be it the people in the exile or those who remained in Judah (or Jerusalem). Scholars normally study the concept of purity focusing on the priestly writings of the Pentateuch while the book of Ezekiel does not get that much attention. Those who study purity issues in the book of Ezekiel normally do not consider how it might have used in relation to larger social issues. This book looks at the concept of purity in Ezekiel and how it is used in connection with group identification. It can be assumed that in the book of Ezekiel the concept of purity/impurity plays a fundamental role in the construction of identity. It is important to explore how the priestly group(s) of the exilic age that authored the book of Ezekiel utilized the priestly purity system to define who constitutes the true Israel and who does not.

From the time of deportations starting at the beginning of sixth century BCE, Israel lived a double existence. Part of the population lived in Judah and another part in the diaspora outside the land.

**Contents and Sample Pages**