Bob Becking studied Theology and Semitic Languages at Utrecht University. After ten years of parish ministry, he returned to his alma mater, where he was appointed Ordinary Professor of Old Testament Study in 1991. Since 2008 he has been a Senior Research Professor for Bible, Religion and Identity at Utrecht University. Alex Cannegieter read Classical Archaeology at the University of Leiden. Since 2001 she has studied Theology at the University of Utrecht, and has completed a Master’s Degree in Theology. Wilfred van de Poll began his theological education in Leuven, Belgium. He has completed a Research Master in Theology at Utrecht University, in the field of Old Testament Studies. Anne-Mareike Wetter has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Utrecht University. She specializes in Old Testament and Gender Studies and is working on a PhD-project on gender, ethnicity and religion in post-exilic literature.

• 1. Introduction 2. In Babylon: The Exile in Historical (Re)construction 3. Balancing the Scales: The Construction of the Exile as Countertradition in the Bible 4. The Exile of God: The Galut in Jewish Construction 5. From Babylon to Eternity: Appropriation of the Babylon-Motif in Christian Homiletical Constructions