The Scribe

Baruch, the scribe (Hebrew, sopher), served as the amanuensis or secretary of Jeremiah the prophet.

Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them. (Jeremiah 36:32 ESV)

A few years back a bulla of the seal of Baruch the scribe was discovered during an archaeological excavation in Jerusalem. A bulla is a piece of hardened clay bearing the impression of a seal.

A scribe working in the synagogue at Masada. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A scribe working in the synagogue at Masada. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A scribe was copying a manuscript in a small room of the synagogue at Masada last May. This was the first time I had noticed a scribe there. In the days prior to the invention of the printing press the scribe played a highly significant role in society.

One response to “The Scribe

  1. Pingback: Mitri, the Egyptian Scribe « Leon's Message Board

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