The Book of Baruch – What is it?

TL;DR:

The Book of Baruch is a first or second century BC work, reflecting themes of repentance, wisdom, and hope during exile. Though valuable for history and devotion, it is not considered divinely inspired Scripture.

what does the bible say?

The Book of Baruch, written in the second or first century BC, is part of the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical Books accepted by Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches but rejected by Protestants and Jews as non-canonical. Attributed to Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, it reflects themes of repentance, wisdom, and hope during exile, containing prayers for mercy, confessions of sin, and calls to return to God. Though it includes historical inconsistencies—such as placing Baruch in Babylon rather than Egypt—it mirrors genuine prophetic concerns found in Scripture. Some passages resemble New Testament themes, like Baruch 3:37–38’s portrayal of God dwelling among humanity, echoing John 1:14. Baruch has influenced early Christian devotion but was never part of the Hebrew Bible or recognized as inspired by Jesus or the apostles. The Book of Baruch remains a valuable work that provides historical and contextual work that captures the Jewish longing for repentance and restoration.

from the old testament

In Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, the Book of Baruch is included with the Prophetic Books. It is named after the Baruch who served as the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:4).
Some have noted errors within the Book of Baruch. For example, Baruch 1:1-2 opens with Baruch in Babylon. However, Baruch served Jeremiah in Judah and Egypt. Jeremiah 43:5-7 notes, "But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven—the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah. And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. And they arrived at Tahpanhes."

from the new testament

Some portions of Baruch also resemble verses of the New Testament. For example, Baruch 4:7 discusses certain sacrifices being demonic, which 1 Corinthians 10:20 also mentions.
Baruch 3:37-38 discuss God coming to Earth to dwell with human beings, similar to John 1:14.

implications for today

The Book of Baruch (also called 1 Baruch) is a book of the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical Books that are accepted as Scripture by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Protestants reject the Book of Baruch and other writings in the Apocrypha since they were not part of the Jewish Scriptures or New Testament. Its date of writing is unknown, with some scholars dating it to the second or first century BC.

The Book of Baruch includes five chapters (a sixth chapter called the Letter of Jeremiah is added in some versions). It claims that Baruch read this book to King Jeconiah (Baruch 1:3). The themes include confession of sins regarding disobedience to God (1:1—2:10), a prayer of request for mercy (2:11—3:8), a desire for wisdom (3:9—4:14), and a message to the captives (4:5—5:9).

In the Roman Catholic liturgy, Baruch 3:9-38 is used as part of its Holy Saturday teachings (the day before Easter). It includes a focus on the desire for wisdom and how to obtain it, concluding with a reference to the Messiah who will live among humanity. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Baruch is used in the Christmas Eve liturgy. Since it was quoted by many early Christian writers, it is also clear the book was well-known in the early history of the church.

Still, the Book of Baruch was never part of the Hebrew Bible and was not recognized as inspired Scripture by Jewish or early Protestant leaders. While it reflects genuine themes of repentance, hope, and longing for divine wisdom, its inclusion in the canon varies across traditions. Protestants view it as valuable for historical and devotional reading, but not as divinely inspired or authoritative. Ultimately, Baruch offers insight into Jewish faith and perseverance during exile, echoing the heart of biblical calls to return to God, but it stands outside the biblical canon affirmed by Jesus and the apostles.

understand

The Book of Baruch (somewhere between first and second century BC) is part of the Apocrypha, accepted by Catholic and Orthodox Churches but not by Jews or Protestants.
The Book of Baruch emphasizes repentance, wisdom, hope, and restoration during exile.
Though historically and devotionally valuable, the Book of Baruch is not considered divinely inspired Scripture.

reflect

How do the themes of repentance, wisdom, and hope in the Book of Baruch influence your view of them in your own life?
How can you apply the lessons of perseverance during exile or hardship to your life?
How does understanding that Baruch is not considered divinely inspired Scripture influence your view of historical or devotional writings outside the Bible?

engage

What can we learn from Baruch’s messages that helps us understand the intertestamental world?
How do the themes of Baruch resonate with the prophetic messages of the Old Testament and the teachings of the New Testament?
How can studying books like Baruch enhance our understanding of Jewish faith, culture, and longing for restoration during exile?