Based on the author's thesis (Ph. D.--Harvard University, 1987).

First published by Scholars Press, 1992.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-254) and indexes.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- “And the Women Make Cakes for the Queen of Heaven” Jeremiah 7 and 44 -- “But You Will See Still Greater Abominations” Ezekiel 8 -- “Shall I Be Appeased for These Things?” Isaiah 57 -- “A People Provoking Me Constantly to My Face” Isaiah 65 -- Conclusions -- Bibliography -- Index of Citations -- Index of Authors.

Available to subscribing member institutions only.

\'By focusing on the forms of religious expression which the sixth-century prophets condemn, we can begin to apprehend the diversity which characterized exilic religion. Moreover, by recognizing the polemical nature of the prophetic critiques and by resolving to read these critiques without prophetic prejudice and instead with a non-judgmental eye, we can place ourselves in a position to re-evaluate the traditional descriptions of the sixth-century cult. Our task, then, is to read anew; our aim is to judge afresh. With this goal in mind, we turn our attention to the major prophetic texts which will comprise our study: Jeremiah 7 and 44, Ezekiel 8, Isaiah 57, and Isaiah 65.\' - From the Introduction