Definition

1. Proper noun:

   • A person: Bernard Mannes Baruch (1870-1965), an American financier, stock investor, and statesman who served as an economic advisor to multiple United States presidents.
   • A biblical figure: A disciple of and secretary for the prophet Jeremiah, traditionally considered the author of a deuterocanonical book.

2. Noun:

   • A book of the Bible: An apocryphal or deuterocanonical book of the Old Testament, ascribed to Baruch, the scribe of Jeremiah.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Person):

  • Baruch was known as the "park bench statesman" for holding informal meetings in public parks.
  • President Wilson relied on Baruch for advice during World War I.

• Proper noun (Biblical figure):

  • Baruch wrote down the prophecies dictated by Jeremiah.

• Noun (Book):

  • The Book of Baruch is included in the Catholic and Orthodox Old Testament canons.
  • Scholars study Baruch for its historical and theological insights.

Advanced Usage

• "A Baruch-like figure": Used to describe a trusted advisor or wise counselor, especially in financial or governmental contexts.
  • The CEO sought a Baruch-like figure to guide the company through the economic crisis.

Variants and Related Words

• Baruchian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of Bernard Baruch or his economic philosophies.
  • His Baruchian approach favored prudent, long-term investment.

Synonyms

• Advisor (for the person): Counselor, consultant, elder statesman.
• Scribe (for the biblical figure): Secretary, amanuensis, recorder.

Notes on Meaning

The meaning is entirely dependent on context: 1. In modern historical or political contexts, it almost exclusively refers to the 20th-century American advisor, Bernard Baruch. 2. In religious, theological, or ancient historical contexts, it refers to the biblical scribe or the book bearing his name.

Noun

1. an Apocryphal book ascribed to Baruch
2. a disciple of and secretary for the prophet Jeremiah
3. economic advisor to United States Presidents (1870-1965)