Book Written: Most likely sometime after 180 B.C. or anywhere from 200 to 60 B.C. Baker says the book is "attributed" to Baruch (who of course wasn't living in 180 B.C.), but is the work of 3-4 different authors.
Time Period/Setting: Baruch writes from Babylon both to those left behind in Jerusalem after the second deporation, so after 587 B.C., as well as to those in exile. However, Baruch was thought to have remained behind in Judah with Jeremiah and both are thought to have gone to Egypt.
Title: Baruch is the name of Jeremiah's secretary and friend. The Hebrew meaning is 'he who is blessed.'
The five chapters of Baruch follow Lamentations in the Catholic Bible and include the Letter of Jeremiah as its sixth chapter. Baruch contains a wisdom poem which equates wisdom with the Torah. The Letter of Jeremiah dates to somewhere between the fourth to second century B.C. Its author uses the name of Jeremiah to give credence to the writing and because the letter "developed the venerable prophet's ideas. . ." (HC) The Letter is an exegesis on the evils of idols.
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