Baruch

Jeremiah’s secretary

Who was Baruch?

Son of Neriah. He was the secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 36:4, 32
He wrote on a scroll what Jeremiah dictated to him, and read it aloud in the Temple. Jeremiah 36:4, 8-10
The Book of Baruch, which is part of the Catholic Bible, bears his name. Baruch 1:1; Catechism 120

Also called: Baruch, son of Neriah Jeremiah 36:4 · Baruch the scribe Jeremiah 36:26
Occupation: Secretary or scribe Jeremiah 36:26, 32

What the Bible says

Jeremiah 36:4, 32

⁴So Jeremias called Baruch the son of Nerias: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremias all the words of the Lord, which he spoke to him, upon the roll of a book. ³²And Jeremias took another volume, and gave it to Baruch the son of Nerias the scribe: who wrote in it from the mouth of Jeremias all the words of the book which Joakim the king of Juda had burnt with fire: and there were added besides many more words than had been before.

Jeremiah 36:4, 8-10

⁴So Jeremias called Baruch the son of Nerias: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremias all the words of the Lord, which he spoke to him, upon the roll of a book. ⁸And Baruch the son of Nerias did according to all that Jeremias the prophet had commanded him, reading out of the volume the words of the Lord in the house of the Lord. ⁹And it came to pass in the fifth year of Joakim the son of Josias king of Juda, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the Lord to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that were come together out of the cities of Juda to Jerusalem. ¹⁰And Baruch read out of the volume the words of Jeremias in the house of the Lord, in the treasury of Gamarias the son of Saphan the scribe, in the upper court, in the entry of the new gate of the house of the Lord, in the hearing of all the people.

Baruch 1:1; Catechism 120

And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Sedei, the son of Helcias, wrote in Babylonia.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Baruch

Before Jesus. In the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, Jeremiah dictated his prophecies to him, and Baruch wrote them on a scroll. Jeremiah 36:1, 4
Before Jesus. Jeremiah could not go to the Temple. He asked Baruch to read the scroll there, on a day of fasting. Jeremiah 36:5-6
With Jesus. Baruch read the scroll in the Temple. Some officials asked him how he had written it. Jeremiah 36:10, 17-18
With Jesus. The officials sent for Baruch and asked him to read them the scroll. When they heard it, they were frightened and said they had to tell the king. Jeremiah 36:14-16
With Jesus. The officials advised him to hide with Jeremiah. The king burned the scroll and ordered their arrest, but the Lord hid them. Jeremiah 36:19, 23, 26
With Jesus. Baruch wrote down again everything Jeremiah dictated to him, and many more words besides. Jeremiah 36:32
With Jesus. That same year, the fourth of King Jehoiakim, Baruch complained of his weariness. Through Jeremiah, the Lord answered that he should not seek great things, and that he would save his life. Jeremiah 45:1-5
Afterward. During the siege, Jeremiah gave him the deed of a field he had bought, to keep in a clay jar. Jeremiah 32:12-14
Afterward. After Jerusalem fell, some leaders accused Baruch. They said Baruch was turning Jeremiah against them. Jeremiah 43:2-3
Afterward. After Jerusalem fell, he was taken to Egypt together with Jeremiah. Jeremiah 43:6-7
Afterward. The Book of Baruch says that Baruch wrote it in Babylon and read it before the exiles. Baruch 1:1-4
Afterward. According to the Book of Baruch, the exiles wept, fasted and prayed. Then they collected money and sent it to Jerusalem. Baruch 1:5-7

Words of Baruch

“With his mouth he pronounced all these words as if he were reading to me: and I wrote in a volume with ink.” Jeremiah 36:18

To the officials who asked him how he had written the scroll.

“Woe is me, wretch that I am, for the Lord hath added sorrow to my sorrow: I am wearied with my groans, and I find no rest.” Jeremiah 45:3

A complaint of his, which the Lord answered through Jeremiah.

What they were like

A faithful worker: he wrote the same scroll twice. Jeremiah 36:4, 32
Brave: he read in public the words the king later burned. Jeremiah 36:10, 23

The greatest thing they did

Thanks to his work, the words of Jeremiah were written down. Jeremiah 36:32

What people ask

Is the Book of Baruch in the Bible?

Yes. It is one of the books of the Old Testament in the Catholic Bible. Catechism 120

Did Baruch write the book that bears his name?

The book says Baruch wrote it in Babylon. The NAB introduction thinks much of it comes from a later author who spoke in his name. Baruch 1:1; NAB introduction to Baruch

What happened to the scroll he wrote?

King Jehoiakim cut it up piece by piece and threw it into the fire in the brazier. Baruch wrote it again. Jeremiah 36:23, 32

What did God promise Baruch?

He told him not to seek great things, and that he would keep him alive wherever he went. Jeremiah 45:5

What is in the Book of Baruch?

A prayer in which the people confess their sins, a praise of wisdom, words of comfort for Jerusalem and the Letter of Jeremiah. Baruch 1:15; Baruch 3:9; Baruch 5:1; Baruch 6:1

Is the Book of Baruch read at Mass?

Yes. On the Second Sunday of Advent in Year C, Baruch 5:1-9 is read, where Jerusalem takes off her robe of mourning. It is also the sixth reading of the Easter Vigil. Baruch 5:1-9; Baruch 3:9-15

His weariness He complained that the Lord had added sorrow to his sorrow. Jeremiah 45:3 Little known His grandfather was named Mahseiah. Jeremiah 32:12 Jeremiah gave him the deed to…

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Who Baruch is connected to

Jeremiah · the prophet and his secretary

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All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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