Baruch
Scribe of Jeremiah
6th century BC
Jeremiah's faithful scribe, to whom is attributed a book of confession, wisdom, and consolation for the exiles.
“This is our God; no other can be compared with him.” — Baruch 3:35Talk with Baruch
The story of Baruch
Baruch son of Neriah is the scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah. In the Book of Jeremiah he writes down the prophet's words on a scroll and reads them aloud in the Temple. When King Jehoiakim burns the scroll piece by piece, Baruch writes it all out again.
He shares Jeremiah's dangers, is taken with him to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem, and receives a short personal word from God: in a time of disaster he should not seek great things for himself, but his life will be spared.
The Book of Baruch, found in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, is set among the exiles in Babylon. It contains a confession of the people's sins, a poem praising Wisdom as God's gift given to Israel in the Law, and words of comfort to Jerusalem that her children will return. Some Bibles add the Letter of Jeremiah as its final chapter.
Key passages
Jeremiah 36:1–32
Baruch writes and reads Jeremiah's scroll, and writes it again after the king burns it.
Jeremiah 45:1–5
God's personal message to Baruch.
Baruch 1:15–3:8
The exiles' prayer of confession and plea for mercy.
Baruch 3:9–4:4
A poem in praise of Wisdom, found in the Law of God.
Baruch 4:5–5:9
Comfort for Jerusalem and the promise that her children will return.
Key books
- Jeremiah
- Baruch
- Letter of Jeremiah
Questions you can ask
- “What was it like being Jeremiah's scribe?”
- “Tell me about reading the scroll in the Temple”
- “What is the praise of Wisdom?”
Common questions
Who was Baruch in the Bible?
Jeremiah's scribe and loyal friend. He wrote down Jeremiah's prophecies and shared his hardships.
Is the Book of Baruch in the Bible?
Yes, in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. Protestant Bibles place it in the Apocrypha or leave it out, and it is not in the Hebrew Bible.
What is the Book of Baruch about?
Repentance in exile, God's gift of Wisdom through His Law, and hope that God will bring His scattered people home.