Baruch Seal

In 1975, some 250 clay impressions were found in an excavation southwest of Jerusalem. One of these impressions was identified as belonging to Baruch, son of Neriah, a scribe who recorded the prophecies of Jeremiah. Both Baruch and Jeremiah witnessed the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. In ancient times these clay impressions were attached to documents and served as an official signature for an individual and to identify the sender.

“The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah. . . .” (Jeremiah 45:1)

Statue of Baruch by Aleijadinho

Baruch Writing Jeremiah's Prophecies by Gustave Doré

Baruch Seal

The Baruch Seal is now in the Israel Museum. It measures 17 mm by 16 mm and the oval seal measures 13 mm by 11 mm.

Israel Museum, Jerusalem