3 Baruch

The Greek Apocalypse of Baruch (also: 2 Baruch, abbreviated 2Bar or gr bar, occasionally: 3bar ) belongs to the so-called Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament. There is a Jewish pseudepigraphic font that has emerged at the earliest in the 2nd century AD, n in any case after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, or even after the second Jewish-Roman war 132-135 AD, perhaps even n only in the 3rd century BC

The writing is attributed to the biblical figure Baruch is certainly not written by him. The book is still counted neither the Jewish to the Christian canon.

Textual tradition

The writing is obtained in some Greek and Church Slavonic manuscripts. The Greek versions show clear traces of revision with Christian influence, which are lacking in the Church Slavonic versions, what the conjecture suggests that there was an older and a younger version of Jewish, Christian editing of the text.

Content

As in the Syrian Apocalypse of Baruch describes the book visions of the prophet Baruch student who ( in 586 BC that ostensibly by Nebuchadnezzar II ) relate to the destruction of the Temple. In both books Baruch learns that the earthly temple is indeed destroyed, the eternal worship of God, but continues through the angels in heaven, so that the temple does not have to be rebuilt. So Ultimately, it is a letter of consolation for their sanctuary forfeited previous Jewish faith community.

  • Chapter 1-5: Baruch mourns the destruction of Jerusalem. An angel appears and leads him through the various heavens, where he among other things, the fate of the builders of the Tower of Babel ( cf. Gen. 11), the fate of all evil people (they are from a dragon named Hades swallowed ) and the history of the tree of knowledge ( cf. Gen 2-3) learns. The tree is identified with the vine of Noah (Gen 9:20), which appears to be a Christian interpolation because of the connotation with the Lord's Supper.
  • Chapter 6-9: Baruch passes through the other celestial spheres of the sun, moon and stars. The description of the astronomical ideas is strongly influenced by Hellenistic thought.
  • Chapter 7-11: Baruch passes through the fourth and fifth heaven where he the fate of the righteous shall be revealed. He met the Archangel Michael, who guarded the access to the higher heavens, which remain closed.
  • Chapter 12-17: Baruch learns that the angels stand by the people on earth, accompany them and report on them in heaven. Here end the visions and Baruch will be returned to Earth.
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