Abstract

The article concentrates on Jer 31,20, which is remarkable above all for its literary and theological quality. In this passage, YHWH intervenes directly and speaks about Ephraim in the third person, as if involving an external listener into his reasoning. Through a complex argumentation, consisting of two rhetorical questions and a consequence, YHWH guides the reader to a surprising conclusion: even though Ephraim was not like a son who brought joy to his parent, YHWH’s love did not fail. God has remembered the relationship with Ephraim and has therefore shown both deep compassion towards him and a fatherly mercy.