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What are the Apocryphal Books?

Posted on by AlbanFejza

The Apocryphal Books, also known as the Deuterocanonical Books in some traditions, are a collection of ancient Jewish writings included in the Old Testament canon by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches but excluded by most Protestant traditions. The term apocryphal means “hidden” or “obscure,” though it has taken on the connotation of non-canonical or secondary authority in Protestant circles.

List of Apocryphal Books:

The following books are considered apocryphal by Protestants but are part of the Catholic and Orthodox Old Testament canon:

  1. Tobit
  2. Judith
  3. Additions to Esther (included in the Greek version of Esther)
  4. Wisdom of Solomon
  5. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
  6. Baruch (and the Letter of Jeremiah as part of Baruch)
  7. 1 Maccabees
  8. 2 Maccabees
  9. Additions to Daniel:
    • Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children
    • Susanna
    • Bel and the Dragon

The Orthodox canon also includes additional books, such as 3 Maccabees, 4 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, and Psalm 151.

Historical Background:

  1. Septuagint Influence:
    • These books were part of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures, widely used in the Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian communities.
  2. Jewish Canon:
    • The Jewish canon, finalized around AD 90 at the Council of Jamnia, excluded these books, as they were not written in Hebrew or considered part of the core Jewish Scriptures.
  3. Christian Adoption:
    • Early Christians, especially in the Greek-speaking world, used the Septuagint, which included these books. As a result, they were incorporated into the Catholic and Orthodox canons.
  4. Reformation and Protestant Rejection:
    • During the Reformation, Protestant reformers excluded the Apocryphal books, aligning their Old Testament with the Jewish canon and emphasizing texts written in Hebrew.

Themes and Content:

  1. Historical Narratives:
    • 1 and 2 Maccabees: Detail Jewish history during the Maccabean revolt against Greek oppression.
    • Judith and Tobit: Stories of piety, faith, and God’s deliverance.
  2. Wisdom Literature:
    • Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach: Offer reflections on morality, divine wisdom, and virtuous living.
  3. Additions and Prayers:
    • Enhance existing biblical stories, such as the Additions to Daniel and Esther.

Significance and Use:

  1. Catholic and Orthodox Traditions:
    • These books are considered deuterocanonical, meaning they hold secondary authority but are still divinely inspired.
    • Used in liturgy and theology, especially for teachings on prayer, faith, and God’s justice.
  2. Protestant Perspective:
    • Viewed as non-canonical but often valued for historical or devotional insights.
    • The King James Bible (1611) initially included the Apocrypha in a separate section.

Controversies and Criticism:

  1. Authorship and Authenticity:
    • Critics question the historical accuracy and authorship of some Apocryphal books.
    • Example: The Wisdom of Solomon is attributed to Solomon but likely written centuries later.
  2. Doctrinal Disputes:
    • Some doctrines, like praying for the dead (2 Maccabees 12:44-45), have been controversial, influencing Catholic practices like purgatory, which Protestants reject.
  3. Language and Canon:
    • Many Apocryphal books were written in Greek rather than Hebrew, which contributed to their exclusion from the Jewish and Protestant canons.

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.