sign in sign up
<<
Home , 4 Baruch, Job (biblical figure), Scribe, Seraiah

Volume 52 Article 3 Issue 1 Volume 52: 1 & 2 combined issue

2009 Baruch the Scribe: Preserver of Knowledge and Model for Librarians Roger White Ed.D. Azusa Pacific nU iversity

The Christian Librarian is the official publication of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL). To learn more about ACL and its products and services please visit http://www.acl.org/

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/tcl Part of the Library and Information Science Commons

Recommended Citation White, Roger Ed.D. (2009) "Baruch the Scribe: Preserver of Knowledge and Model for Librarians," The Christian Librarian: Vol. 52 : Iss. 1 , Article 3. Available at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/tcl/vol52/iss1/3

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Christian Librarian by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Baruch the Scribe: Preserver of Knowledge and Model for Librarians

Roger White, Ed.D. Introduction time a symbolic act illustrating the pending fate Professor, University Libraries and sinking of ( 51:60-64). Azusa Pacific University Baruch, the loyal scribe of the Jeremiah, is a character whose career can Because much more is known about Baruch be considered a vocational forerunner to that both from the biblical text and supporting ABSTRACT of the professional librarian. His life and legacy references, his life and vocation will be used yield several important lessons applicable to as the focus for the current discussion. Baruch This article discusses how the Old those working in libraries today. In Hebrew, was involved in many activities during his Testament character Baruch serves as an inspiration for contemporary Baruch is described as a soper (:26, professional career that have relevance for Christian librarians. Events 32), which is translated scribe (“Scribe,” 1996). contemporary librarians. Faithfulness to his from his scribal career parallel In times, a soper was usually vocation is both exemplary and inspirational. In several common experiences of library professionals including someone who served in a secretarial role for fact, his hand still leaves a mark, quite literally, archiving materials, maintaining dictation, transcribing documents, and letter on his work to this day even though he lived and promoting a collection, , but also for accounting, record keeping, thousands of years ago. dealing with criticisms from and preserving texts (“Scribe,” 1996). The administrators and community leaders, and becoming weary etymological connection between historical A Review of Baruch’s from overwork. How he handled scribal duties and those of a professional librarian Professional Career himself in the midst of these is reflected in contemporary definitions of the activities is noteworthy as is ’s The of Jeremiah recounts several response to his service. The life word scribe. The Oxford English Dictionary and legacy of Baruch provide lists scribe as the oldest meaning for the word episodes from the life of Baruch reflecting several parallels and encouraging librarian (“Librarian,” 1989). In some cases, activities and experiences similar to those lessons applicable to all those historical figures have been identified for faced by contemporary professional librarians. called to serve in libraries. inspirational purposes as patron of The stories take place during the time when librarians, including Aldhelm (Gibson, 1982), the Babylonians are poised to invade Judah (Calamari & DiPasqua, and take the of . Jeremiah is 2007), (Kaschins & Kemp, 1988), and warning the people of the impending danger Lawrence (Calamari & DiPasqua, 2007). and proclaiming God’s call to repentance and God’s assurance of ongoing faithfulness By taking a closer look at Baruch, whose name (cf. 36:4). In the process, Baruch the scribe is means, “blessed” (“Baruch,” 1996), lessons and called on to assist in preserving and distributing perspectives relevant to contemporary library Jeremiah’s message and he plays a key role in professionals can be gleaned from the life the unfolding political drama surrounding of this faithful practitioner. Baruch’s scribal the delivery of the prophecies. The biblical work included serving in traditional roles of account of Baruch’s career extends over four secretary (amanuensis) and stenographer, but non-consecutive chapters of the book of also included being principle compiler and Jeremiah and the following review of those editor of much of Jeremiah’s work, especially chapters emphasizes elements of the narrative what is now Jeremiah 36-45 (Brueggemann, that might be of special interest to librarians 1998). From the biblical text, we learn that and other professional preservers and guardians Seraiah, Baruch’s brother (Jeremiah 51:59), of knowledge. also served Jeremiah for a time in some scribal related activities. Jeremiah instructed Seraiah to Jeremiah 32: Archiving Important Documents transport a scroll to Babylon for reading aloud, In a gesture intended to show God’s faithfulness after which he was to tie a stone around the Peer Reviewed to the people of Jerusalem, Jeremiah publicly scroll and throw it in the Euphrates River. This buys some land from his cousin (cf. Leviticus latter action (a type of weeding task) was at the 25:25) even though foreign enemies are about 6 The Christian Librarian, 52 (1 & 2) 2009 to overtake and occupy the city. Jeremiah asks of the politically sensitive nature of the Baruch to archive the title-deed from the book’s content, they encourage him to hide real estate purchase (verses 11-14). He is told (verses 16, 19). to take both the sealed and open contracts spelling out the conditions of the sale and Baruch’s book is then taken and stored in one place them in a clay jar to preserve them (verse of the scribe’s special collection areas, and later 15). Typically these earthenware containers this new acquisition is abstracted for the king would be sealed with pitch (an effective (verse 20). As a result of hearing this book storage method later employed with the review, the king decides to read the original Scrolls). Following the occupation and requests it be retrieved from the stacks of the territory and the exile, returning (verse 21a). As the scroll is being read aloud, families would be able to verify ownership the king begins to cut out pages with a knife of the land by referencing the carefully stored and destroy them in a fire even though some documents. This foreshadowed homecoming of the scribes urge him not to do so (verses exemplifies God’s faithfulness to the people, 21b, 23, 25). By the conclusion of the reading, the very circumstances Jeremiah’s actions the scroll had been bowdlerized (expurgating were attempting to highlight. Following the offensive parts) and burned completely. The signing of the contract and the completion of king then orders Baruch and Jeremiah (note the land transaction Baruch faithfully carries order in text) to be seized, but God hides out the public filing and safekeeping of the them (verses 24, 26). purchase deeds. As Scalise (2004) has noted, it God instructs Jeremiah to make a second is possible that elements of the deed’s text may edition of the scroll and Baruch assists him in make up part of this chapter (esp. verses 6-15) producing (reissuing) a revised and expanded along with the colophon-related testimony version (verse 28, 32). God also issues a penalty (inscribed publication details) provided by the to the king for questioning the content and scribe. We see in this account how Baruch is rejecting the message presented in the scroll, By taking a closer entrusted with important documents and how symbolized by damaging and burning it look at Baruch ... he fulfills the role of an archivist. (verses 29-31). lessons and Jeremiah 36: Developing, Maintaining, In this passage we see Baruch carrying out a perspectives relevant and Distributing a Collection number of duties analogous to those practiced by a circulation librarian or collection to contemporary Baruch collects and records Jeremiah’s developer. The integrity and condition of prophetic message in an appropriate media library professionals library materials is maintained and the material format (verse 4). He makes it accessible to is made available to patrons. can be gleaned from people in the by reading it a number of times aloud on Jeremiah’s behalf (verses Jeremiah 43: Criticized for Nature of Content the life of this 5-6, 8, 10). Afterwards, Baruch brings the faithful practitioner. document to a meeting with his professional Jeremiah’s message is disliked so much by some counterparts in the temple and gives them a of his critics that they falsely accuse Baruch private reading at their request (verses 11-15). of provoking Jeremiah to speak against them Provenance (a document’s history) is sought (verse 3). It is a classic case of the messenger as the group of scribes and related officials being blamed for the message, or in this case, attempts to assess the genuineness of the the person maintaining Jeremiah’s corpus of material, accredit its authority, and determine work being accused of slanting the content its credibility (Kidner, 1987; Brueggemann, of the still unfolding prophecy. In the midst 1998). Part of the material review included of the confusion surrounding the impending inquiring about the acquisition procedure Babylonian occupation, the accusers forcibly (verse 17) so Baruch explains the step-by-step take Baruch and Jeremiah along with others process he followed in making the scroll (verse to in direct defiance of God’s command 18). Believing him to be in danger because that the people of Judah not go there (verses

7 The Christian Librarian, 52 (1 & 2) 2009 5-7). This story illustrates a parallel between Hebrew tradition supporting the notion that Baruch’s situation and those faced by many Baruch died in Egypt (Wiseman, 1996; Gryson library administrators who must wisely handle & Somers, 1996). complaints about the nature of an item in the collection even when the complaint is Baruch’s popularity as an historical figure gave accompanied with a threat. A contemporary rise to several written works attributed to him. issue related to questions or complaints The Apocrypha includes the (or about a collection is the role that library 1 Baruch) and several pseudepigraphal works from the first and second century CE also carry ike Baruch, administrators have in deciding what will or L will not be included in a library’s holdings. his name. These include (or the Syriac librarians never Often, collection development decisions have Apocalypse of Baruch), (or the Greek know how far an ethical and/or moral implications due to the Apocalypse of Baruch), and 4 Baruch (or The Things nature and/or content of the items. Omitted from Jeremiah the Prophet; or The Rest of act of daily fidelity The Words of Baruch) (Charlesworth, 1983). This Jeremiah 45: Weary, Overworked, Exhausted, collection with its many multi-named works to vocation will and Despairing might have been quite challenging for early extend nor the catalogers to process. Baruch’s name was added This entire chapter is a short message from God ultimate influence to a number of documents in an attempt to communicated by Jeremiah directly to Baruch. lend credibility to their message. The Baruch it may have on a We discover Baruch is weary and complaining tradition continued through building on his about his lack of rest following the completion culture. exceptional character, position, and reputation of Jeremiah’s long dictation (verses 1-3). God as a scribe. In some of the listed responds by announcing disaster is coming above, his role seems to move beyond scribe of to the whole land and all those living in it; Jeremiah to prophet in his own right (Wright, therefore, it is best to discontinue seeking great 2003). Thus his historical persona continues to things for oneself (verse 4-5). As a consolation be elevated and a significant associated literary God promises Baruch will at least escape with heritage persists to this day. his life during these difficult times (verses 5). In this chapter the similarity to the often- A fascinating development in the Baruch story thankless of the librarian is quite clear. comes from archeological discoveries of the Baruch’s long hours of making sure the scrolls last few decades. Dozens of clay bullae used to were complete and ready for use took their seal manuscripts have recently surfaced dating toll, not unlike the situation of the overworked from the time of the Babylonian conquest. library employee today. Bullae were lumps of clay placed on rolled and folded papyrus documents and pressed with The Ongoing Legacy an official’s seal. Apparently several collections The story of Baruch does not end with the of these similarly sealed documents stored in accounts found in the . public archives were long ago destroyed by History and archeology yield other insights fire. The heat from the blaze destroyed the into our knowledge of Baruch, son of Neriah papyri but hardened the clay bullae. The newly (Jeremiah 32:12, 16; 36:4, 8, 32). The ancient discovered bullae are engraved with various historian, Josephus (book X, chap. 9), tells us names and symbols. Remarkably, one of the Baruch “came of a very distinguished family bullae has an inscription attributed to Baruch, and was exceptionally well instructed in his “belonging to Berekhyahu, son of Neriyahu, native tongue” (Josephus, trans. 1937, 1958, p. the Scribe” (Shanks, 1996, p. 37). On a second 247). Along this same line some contemporary bulla with the exact same inscription, there scholars have suggested Baruch may have is a fingerprint impressed into the hardened originally been an official royal scribe who left clay, most likely belonging to the person who his governmental position to support Jeremiah would have sealed the original document, in his activities (Shanks, 1987). St. Jerome, Baruch himself. A photograph of this single commenting on 30:6-7, records the bulla adorned the 1996 March/April cover of

8 The Christian Librarian, 52 (1 & 2) 2009 Review in 1996 (Volume 22, to one’s calling are still values honored by peers Number 2) and brings the story of Baruch into and can have lasting benefits. Professionalism, our own lifetime and libraries. The preservation integrity, and faithfulness in library work and discovery of the seal is a symbolic and become a lasting legacy. poignant reminder of the lasting impact and imprint a librarian can have on a collection Baruch is found faithful to the task in the face (be they scrolls, manuscripts, or ). Like of opposition at the highest level. Baruch, librarians never know how far an act Not liking what he reads, the king destroys the of daily fidelity to vocation will extend nor the original copy of Jeremiah’s message and Baruch ultimate influence it may have on a culture. must reproduce it. Leaders in the community who also dislike the message accuse Baruch Lessons from Baruch’s Life of instigating Jeremiah against them and they take Baruch hostage. How many times have God called Baruch to preserve knowledge librarians received complaints about content that reflected truth. in the collection and been held personally His archiving of important documents and accountable for authors’ works? In the face Josephus, F. (1937, 1958). VI conserving of God’s message through Jeremiah of those who might want to censure works Jewish antiquities, books IX-XI is evidence of Baruch’s obedience to God and within a library collection or take issue with (The Loeb Classical Library). (R. Marcus, Trans.) London: William fulfillment of his vocation. In a similar way, those who hold the trust, librarians can draw Heinemann Ltd. encouragement from Baruch’s example to Christian librarians may feel a sense of calling Kaschins, E. & Kemp, J. (1988, or vocation to preserve knowledge. Libraries persevere in the face of opposition. September). Jerome, the serve as cultural repositories and storehouses of of librarians. Library God rewards Baruch. knowledge. As such, librarians are guardians of Journal, 113(14), 135-136. an intellectual inheritance, which may or may Kidner. D. (1987). The message of In the end Baruch’s faithfulness is recognized. Jeremiah: Against wind and tide (The not reflect or represent God’s truth. Librarians Through the difficulties of prolonged dictation, Bible Speaks Today). Downers share a vocational calling similar to Baruch’s, to personal danger, and general weariness Baruch Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. responsibly preserve the knowledge entrusted receives divine consolation. While we might Librarian. (1989). In The Oxford to them, but this knowledge may or may not prefer a story where the scribal hero receives English dictionary (2nd ed.). Oxford be expressly Christian or even consistent with University Press. Retrieved March more tangible compensation and perhaps 7, 2008, from OED Online. Christian orthodoxy. Baruch’s calling went is extended human accolades, given the Scalise, P. (2004, Spr). Scrolling beyond preserving all knowledge to specifically immediate situation and dire setting faced by through Jeremiah: Written proclaiming God’s truth and message to an Baruch, God is surely gracious to the scribe. documents as a reader’s guide to oppressed generation. Librarians in some The life of Baruch illustrates how God may be the book of Jeremiah. Review & Expositor, 101(2), 201-225. contexts may find themselves called to speak relied on to be gracious to those who today out on the moral and ethical implications Scribe. (1996). In The new Bible are called to be librarians and who face similar dictionary (3rd ed.). Downers Grove, of a library’s holdings in the midst of other tenuous and challenging circumstances. IL: InterVarsity Press. important preservation and conservation Shanks, H. (1996). Fingerprint of efforts. REFERENCES Jeremiah’s scribe. Biblical Archeology Baruch. (1996). In The new Bible dictionary (3rd ed.). Downers Review, 22(2), 36-38. Peers acknowledge Baruch for his Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Shanks, H. (1987). Jeremiah’s scribe professionalism and faithfulness. Brueggemann, W. (1998). A commentary on Jeremiah: Exile and and confidant speaks from a hoard homecoming. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. of clay bullae, Biblical Archaeology The scribes of the king’s court respect Baruch. Review 13(5), 58-65. Calamari, B. & DiPasqua, S. (2007). Patron saints. New York: They authenticate the soundness of his Abrams. Wiseman, D. J. (1996). Baruch. In New Bible dictionary (3rd ed.). (p. documents and seek to protect his life in the Charlesworth, J. H. (Ed.). (1983). The Old Testament face of those who disapprove of the scrolls’ 124). (J. D. Douglas & D. R. W. . (Vols. 1 & 2). London: Darton, Longman & Wood, eds.). Leicester, England: content. In the midst of carrying out his Todd. Inter-Varsity Press. scribal duties Baruch is found faithful and his Gibson, M. (1982). Saints of patronage and . Bristol, Wright, J. E. (2003). Baruch ben work deemed beyond reproach. Years after his England: Avon County Library. Neriah: From Biblical scribe to death his good name was added to documents Gryson, R. & Somers, V. (1996). Commentaires de Jerome apocalyptic seer. University of South sur le prophete Isaie. Freiburg im Briesgau, Germany: Verlag Carolina Press. to increase their perceived value to potential Herder. readers. Excelling in one’s work and being true 9 The Christian Librarian, 52 (1 & 2) 2009