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Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch

The Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (2 Baruch) is a pseudepigraphic apocalyptic work ascribed to Baruch son of Neriah, the scribe of Jeremiah. Its overt content concerning the last days of the First Temple period disguises a description of the fall of the Second Temple in 70 CE.|||Syriac manuscript dating from the 6th or 7th century CE. Presumably translated from the Greek. An Arabic manuscript of the whole text was discovered in 1974.|||Written in the late 1st or early 2nd century CE, after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.|||Not canonical in any Christian tradition, though some Syriac liturgical manuscripts preserve it. Jewish: not canonical. Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox: classified among the Pseudepigrapha.|||A window into Jewish theological responses to the Temple's destruction. Theodicy: addresses suffering and divine justice. Messianism: develops expectations of the Messiah and resurrection.|||Charlesworth, J. H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.|||Klijn, A. F. J. "2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch." In OTP 1:615–652.|||Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/2baruch.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; 2 Baruch — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Baruch|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" For the righteous, the time will come when they will be made to shine, and the wicked will be consumed." — 2 Baruch 51:3

Collection: Other Ancient Religious Texts Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any Christian tradition, though some Syriac liturgical manuscripts preserve it. Jewish: not canonical. Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox: classified among the Pseudepigrapha.

Date & Provenance

Written in the late 1st or early 2nd century CE, after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Syriac manuscript dating from the 6th or 7th century CE. Presumably translated from the Greek. An Arabic manuscript of the whole text was discovered in 1974.

Why It Matters for Study

A window into Jewish theological responses to the Temple's destruction. Theodicy: addresses suffering and divine justice. Messianism: develops expectations of the Messiah and resurrection.

" For the righteous, the time will come when they will be made to shine, and the wicked will be consumed." — 2 Baruch 51:3

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " For the righteous, the time will come when they will be made to shine, and the wicked will be consumed." — 2 Baruch 51:3 " For the righteous, the time will come when they will be made to shine, and the wicked will be consumed." — 2 Baruch 51:3

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Charlesworth, J. H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.
Klijn, A. F. J. "2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch." In OTP 1:615–652.
Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/2baruch.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; 2 Baruch — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Baruch|Background and scholarly discussion.