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The Apocalypse of Baruch, also known as 2 Baruch, is a Jewish pseudepigraphal text attributed to Baruch, the scribe and disciple of the prophet Jeremiah. This work is not included in the canonical Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament but is considered part of the Pseudepigrapha. It is closely related to the themes and style of apocalyptic literature, which flourished in the intertestamental period.

Historical Context and Authorship

The Apocalypse of Baruch is believed to have been composed in the late 1st century AD, after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. The text reflects the Jewish community's response to this catastrophic event, offering theological insights and eschatological hope. Although attributed to Baruch, the historical scribe of Jeremiah, the work is pseudonymous, a common practice in Jewish apocalyptic literature to lend authority to the text.

Structure and Content

The book is divided into a series of visions and revelations given to Baruch. It consists of 87 chapters, which can be grouped into three main sections: the narrative of the destruction of Jerusalem, a series of visions and interpretations, and a collection of prayers and exhortations.

1.Narrative of Destruction (Chapters 1-12): The text begins with Baruch receiving a revelation about the impending destruction of Jerusalem. He laments the fate of the city and its people, echoing the themes found in the Book of Lamentations. Baruch is instructed to leave the city and is assured of God's continued presence with His people.

2.Visions and Interpretations (Chapters 13-77): Baruch receives a series of visions that reveal the future of Israel and the world. These visions include symbolic imagery, such as a forest, a vine, and a fountain, each representing different aspects of God's plan. The text emphasizes the coming judgment and the ultimate restoration of Israel. Baruch is shown the fate of the righteous and the wicked, highlighting the themes of divine justice and mercy.

3.Prayers and Exhortations (Chapters 78-87): The final section contains Baruch's prayers and exhortations to the people of Israel. He encourages them to remain faithful to God's covenant and to trust in His promises. The text concludes with a message of hope, assuring the faithful of their future redemption and the establishment of God's kingdom.

Theological Themes

The Apocalypse of Baruch addresses several key theological themes, including:

·Divine Justice and Sovereignty: The text underscores God's control over history and His righteous judgment. Despite the apparent triumph of evil, God's justice will ultimately prevail.

·The Problem of Suffering: The destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the Jewish people are central concerns. The text grapples with the question of why the righteous suffer and offers hope in God's future intervention.

·Eschatological Hope: The work provides a vision of the end times, where the faithful will be vindicated, and God's kingdom will be established. This hope is rooted in the promises made to the patriarchs and the covenant with Israel.

·Faithfulness and Obedience: Baruch exhorts the people to remain steadfast in their faith and obedience to God's law, even in the face of adversity.

Relation to Other Texts

The Apocalypse of Baruch shares similarities with other apocalyptic works, such as the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. It also has affinities with the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (3 Baruch) and the Book of Enoch. These texts collectively reflect the Jewish apocalyptic tradition, which influenced early Christian thought and eschatology.

Significance

While not part of the biblical canon, the Apocalypse of Baruch provides valuable insights into Jewish thought and theology during the Second Temple period. It reflects the struggles and hopes of a community seeking to understand God's purposes in the midst of suffering and loss. The text continues to be studied for its historical, theological, and literary contributions to the broader corpus of apocalyptic literature.Apocalypse of Baruch

APOCALYPSE OF BARUCH

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TheApocalypse ofBaruch.
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now shown to occur in theApocalypse ofBaruch, chap. xxix....

Introduction.
... feature, intercession for the lost, it has in common with the Testament of Abraham,
theApocalypse of Paul, 4 Esdras, theApocalypse ofBaruch, theApocalypse...

The Scope of theApocalypse Shewn by Its Structure
... of Solomon (70-40 BC); The Book of Jubilees (40-10 BC); The Ascension of Isaiah
(1-100 AD); The Assumption of Moses (14-30 AD); TheApocalypse ofBaruch (50-90...

Introduction.
... TheApocalypse ofBaruch is a different work from the Book ofBaruch and
the Epistle of Jeremy in our English Apocrypha. Written...

Appendix i. Pseudepigraphic Writings
... VIII. TheApocalypse ofBaruch. - This also exists only in Syriac translation,
and is apparently fragmentary, since the vision promised...

Books not Included in the Hebrew Canon.
... Naphtali, Heb. (Kautzsch), Book of Jubilees (Littmann),Apocalypse ofBaruch
(Ryssel), Testaments of XII Patriarchs (Schnapp). On the...

TheApocalypse.
... and Christian literature"the Fourth Book of Esdras, the Book of Enoch, the Testaments
of the Twelve Patriarchs, theApocalypse ofBaruch, the Sibylline...

Index.
... Baptism, [53]303, [54]325, [55]327, [56]332. Bar-Cocheba, [57]116, [58]181.Baruch,
Apocalypse of, 7, [59]130 ff.Baruch: Book of, [60]132 f., [61]137....

Apocryphal Traditions.
... Westcott thinks it is based on a real discourse, but to me it sounds fabulous, and
borrowed from theApocalypse ofBaruch which has a similar passage (cap.29...

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... which assumes to be a revelation made to Moses on Mount Sinai, "The Ascension of
Moses," "TheApocalypse of Moses," and the "Apocalypse ofBaruch," are other...

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