Barukh is a Hebrew proper name meaning 'blessed,' derived from the root b-r-k that permeates Israel's liturgical vocabulary. Its 26 occurrences refer to at least three distinct individuals, though one dominates biblical memory. Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah was the faithful friend, secretary, and amanuensis of the prophet Jeremiah. He wrote Jeremiah's dictated oracles on a scroll, read them publicly in the temple, and rewrote them after King Jehoiakim defiantly cut and burned the first copy (Jer 36:4-32). He witnessed Jeremiah's purchase of the field at Anathoth as a sign of future restoration (Jer 32:12-16), was accused of inciting Jeremiah against the people (Jer 43:3), and went into Egyptian exile with the prophet. YHWH addresses him directly with a message of consolation and warning (Jer 45:1-5). In Nehemiah, a different Baruch son of Zabbai repaired a section of Jerusalem's wall with notable zeal (Neh 3:20), and a Baruch son of Col-Hozeh is listed among Judahite settlers (Neh 11:5). A priestly Baruch appears among the covenant sealers (Neh 10:6).