ירמיהו, פרק מ״ג, פסוק ג׳

The people outright reject the prophet's warning, refusing to believe the message is genuine. Instead, they accuse his scribe, Baruch the son of Neriah, of being the true mastermind behind the instruction to remain in Judah. They claim that Baruch is actively tempting and persuading Jeremiah to deliver this specific message [מצודת ציון].

Commentators explore why the people specifically target Baruch and what they believe his motives might be. One approach suggests a history of conflict between the community and the scribe. Because of this prior tension, the people suspect Baruch is maliciously manipulating the prophet to hand them over to the Chaldean army [מצודת דוד].

When considering Baruch's hidden agenda, differing views emerge. Some explain that he acts out of a personal interest to relocate to Babylon, hoping the Chaldeans will conquer the people and take them there [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another perspective points to a purely spiritual ambition. The people are well aware of Baruch's deep yearning to achieve prophecy. Knowing that the spirit of prophecy cannot be attained outside the Land of Israel, they suspect Baruch is influencing Jeremiah to keep the community anchored in the land, ensuring he can remain there himself to fulfill his spiritual goals [חומת אנך].

Ultimately, the people argue that the goal of this manipulation is to bring about their death and exile. This accusation does not imply that every individual will suffer both fates simultaneously. Rather, they fear the impending Chaldean invasion will result in the death of a portion of the population, while the surviving remnant will be forcibly exiled to Babylon [מצודת דוד].