baruch Summary and Overview

blessed. (1.) The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah (32:12; 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah (51:59). To him Jeremiah dictated his prophecies regarding the invasion of the Babylonians and the Captivity. These he read to the people from a window in the temple in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (Jer. 36). He afterwards read them before the counsellors of the king at a private interview; and then to the king himself, who, after hearing a part of the roll, cut it with a penknife, and threw it into the fire of his winter parlour, where he was sitting. During the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, he was the keeper of the deed of purchase Jeremiah had made of the territory of Hanameel (Jer. 32:12). Being accused by his enemies of favouring the Chaldeans, he was cast, with Jeremiah, into prison, where he remained till the capture of Jerusalem (B.C. 586). He probably died in Babylon. (2.) Neh. 3:20; 10:6; 11:5.

(blessed). 1. Son of Neriah, the friend, #Jer 32:12| amanuensis, #Jer 26:4-32| and faithful attendant of Jeremiah. #Jer 36:10| ff. (B.C. 603.) He was of a noble family, comp. #Jer 51:59| Bar. 1:1, and of distinguished acquirements. His enemies accused him of influencing Jeremiah in favor of the Chaldaeans, #Jer 43:3| cf. Jere 27:13 and he was imprisoned until the capture of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. By the permission of Nebuchadnezzar he remained with Jeremiah at Mizpeh, Jos. Ant. x.9, 1, but was afterwards forced to go down to Egypt. #Jer 43:6| Nothing is known certainly of the close of his life. 2. The son of Zabbai, who assisted Nehemiah in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. #Ne 3:20| (B.C. 446.) 3. A priest, or family of priests, who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. #Ne 10:6| (B.C. 410.). 4. The son of Col-hozeh, a descendant of Perez or Pharez, the son of Judah. #Ne 11:5| (B.C. 536.)

BA'RUCH (blessed). 1. The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah, was of a distinguished Jewish family. Jer 32:12. His friendship for Jeremiah was strong and constant. At his dictation Baruch wrote his prophecies. These he read before the princes, who rehearsed them to Jehoiakim, the king, having previously deposited the writing in one of the offices of the temple. The king ordered the writing to be read in his presence, and he became so much exasperated that he destroyed the manuscripts and gave orders to arrest both the prophet and his secretary, but they had concealed themselves. Jehovah, however, repeated the prophecies to Jeremiah, with some additions, and a second time did Baruch write them down. Baruch was falsely accused of influencing Jeremiah in favor of the Chaldaeans, and they were both imprisoned until the capture of Jerusalem, b. c. 586. They were afterward forced to go down to Egypt. Jer 43:6-7. 2. The name of three other persons, otherwise unknown. Neh 3:20; Neh 10:6; Neh 11:5.

("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).