4 Baruch (Paraleipomena Jeremiou) (Writings from the Greco-Roman World) (Writings from the Greco-Roman World)

A little-known text of Hellenistic Judaism, 4 Baruch (or Paraleipomena Jeremiou) reflects the situation in Palestine on the eve of the Bar-Kokhba War by retelling the story of the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people. Neglected for far too long, 4 Baruch is now made accessible to scholars and students alike through a critical edition of the Greek text, a new English translation, and a substantial commentary on this early Jewish writing of the beginning of the second century C.E. The commentary elaborates its historical and literary setting and provides a theological interpretation of its religious ideas. On the basis of his close and careful reading of the text, Jens Herzer argues for the basic integrity of 4 Baruch as a genuine Jewish work that was preserved after the war by a Christian group that also added a Christian ending. 1:1 It came to pass, when the children of Israel were taken captive by the king of the Chaldeans, (that) God spoke to Jeremiah, Jeremiah, my chosen one, get up (and) depart from this city, you and Baruch, since I am going to destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of those who dwell in it. 4 Baruch and Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (2 Baruch) 4 Baruch and the Pesiqta Rabbati 4 Baruch and the Apocryphon of Jeremiah.