3:1. “A name that thou livest, and art dead.”

Baruch 3:4: “O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, hear now the prayer of the dead of Israel and of the sons of those who sinned before thee, who did not heed the voice of the Lord their God, so that calamities have clung to us.”  Note 4: “The dead of Israel, the Israelites in exile….”

 

Baruch 3:10: “Why is it, O Israel, why is it that you are in the land of your enemies, that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you are defiled with the dead?”

 

3:4. “White Garments”

2 Esdras 2:39-40: ” (Those who have been sealed) Those who have departed from the shadow of this age have received glorious garments from the Lord.  Take again your full number, O Zion, and conclude the list of your people who are clothed in white, who have fulfilled the law of the Lord.”

 

1 Maccabees 10:62: “The king gave orders to take off Jonathan‘s garments and to clothe him in purple, and they did so.”  Note on 10:62: “A change of garments often signified honor or dishonor….”  (OAA p. 247).

 

3:12. “Temple“

Baruch 3:24: “O Israel, how great is the house of God!  And how vast the territory that he possesses.”  Note 24: House of God, the created world.”  (OAA p. 202).

 

Foreword to 2 Maccabees: “…the purpose of Jason [the writer of the book] was to interpret history theologically.  One of his favorite themes is the sanctity of the temple.” (OAA p. 263).

 

3:18. “Gold tried in the fire”

2 Esdras 16:73: “Then the tested quality of my elect shall be manifest, as gold that is tested by fire.”