Baruch in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("blessed, Benedict".) Neriah's son, Jeremiah's (Jeremiah 32:12; Jeremiah 36:4-32) steadfast attendant and amanuensis; brother to Seraiah, of princely family (Jeremiah 51:59) and position. He was the friend to whom Jeremiah in prison entrusted the papers of the purchase of his uncle's field at Anathoth, the year before Jerusalem's destruction, to assure the Jews of the certainty of their return from Babylon. He wrote out Jeremiah's prophecies against the Jews and other nations, and, while the prophet was shut up, i.e. prevented coming forward, read them before the people; in consequence of which king Jehoiakim sought to kill him and Jeremiah, but the Lord hid them. Jehoiakim having destroyed the first roll, Baruch wrote again the same words with many additions. Azariah and Johanan after the capture of the city, when Jeremiah warned them against going to Egypt, said: "Baruch setteth thee on against us for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans." On, the former occasion Baruch yielded to despondency; and as Paul subjoins epistles to individuals after epistles to churches, so Jeremiah subjoins a prophecy concerning Baruch after the prophecies and histories concerning the Jews and their kings: "Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch. Thou didst say, Woe is me now, for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow, I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest." When a "whole land," the people of My "planting," are being plucked up; "seekest thou great things for thyself?" i.e., dost thou expect to be exempt from trial? A promise is added to the reproof: "thy life will I give unto thee for a prey." How striking, that Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12:1-5; Jeremiah 15:10-18; Jeremiah 15:45), who once was so desponding himself, is enabled to minister counsel to Baruch falling into the same error. God allows His servants to be tempted, in order to fit them for succoring others who are tempted. Baruch was carried with Jeremiah by Johanan into Egypt (Jeremiah 43:6). The apocryphal book of Baruch is evidently one of later composition. 2. Son of Zabbai (Nehemiah 3:20). 3. Son of Colhozeh (Nehemiah 11:5).