Fingerprint of Jeremiah’s Scribe

Why do we seek to retrace the footsteps of Moses and Jesus? Why do we look for the places they lived?

Many archaeologists and scholars may quietly—or not so quietly—scoff at this interest.

I cannot explain it, but I will confess to it.

And so I am fascinated by the fingerprint of Baruch, the scribe, friend and confidant of the prophet Jeremiah. The Book of Jeremiah records that Baruch son of Neriah transcribed the prophet’s words, immortalizing them for eternity (see Jeremiah 32:12, 43:1–7, and chapters 36 and 45).