APOCRYPHA
Apocrypha is a host of additional biblical literature that was not considered to be “God breathed” and omitted from the Christian Bible. Many of these texts provide information about how the Jewish world understood their relationship with God.
CHRISTIAN BIBLE – NEW TESTAMENT
Early Christians created a list of apocryphal literatures to be rejected and not included in the twenty-seven books of the New Testament (Pseudo-Gelasian Decree ca. 519 and 553 C.E.) During the Protestant Reformation, early Protestants chose to remove specific books of the Roman Catholic Bible.
Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria wrote in the fourth century C.E. that the Christian apocrypha—texts that refer to the life of Jesus and his followers that are not included in the New Testament—“are used to deceive the simple-minded.”September/October 2016 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, Biblical scholar Tony Burke wrote:
“Today scholars of the Christian apocrypha are challenging this view of the loss and rediscovery of apocryphal texts,” explains Burke. “It has become increasingly clear that the Christian apocrypha were composed and transmitted throughout Christian history, not just in antiquity.”
HEBREW BIBLE – TANAKH
The Hebrew Bible is called “The Old Testament” (Tanakh). It contains the history of the Jewish people, myths, parables, songs, prophecies, laws and much more and reflects the writings of various authors. The two surviving texts are the Masoretic Text (MT ca. 70-600 C.E.) and Septuagint (LXX ca. 300-325 C.E.) and have been used for Bible translations into a variety of languages.
APOCRYPHA WORTH MENTIONING
1 BARUCH – (ca. 200-100 B.C.E.)
The overarching theme is a desire of the Hebrew people, in Babylonian exile, to return to their homeland – the Palestinian region and specifically Jerusalem.
WISDOM OF BEN-SIRA, AUTHOR – (ca. 196-175 B.C.E.)
This book delivers biblical wisdom (in poetic form) that provides a collection of lessons about life and sayings of great sages and is similar to the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
1 MACCABEES – (ca. 104-63 B.C.E.)
1 Maccabees, a narrative, was most likely written by a Jew residing in the Palestinian region. The book contains important information regarding the Maccabean Revolt; the history of Israel between 174-134 B.C.E. It focuses on Judas, who lead a small band of men against the large Syrian army which they defeat. In 165 B.C.E. Judas overthrows Antiochus and frees the temple from the Greeks and restores the execution of Israel laws and worship. The festival of Hanukkah is celebrated to honor this defeat and the miracle of the last vessel of temple holy oil lasting eight days which gave time for the priests to make more oil.
2 MACCABEES – (ca. 104-63 B.C.E.)
2 Maccabees is a second resource for the Maccabean Revolt. The focus is Greek Hellenization influence on the Jewish people as they abandon the Law. The revolt is described as a turning point for the sinful Jews. Bodily resurrection for the martyrs is offered and is further developed during the Second Temple period and became part of Judaism during the ministry of Jesus.
3 MACCABEES – (ca. 100-30 B.C.E)
3 Maccabees focuses on persecution of the Jewish people by the Hellenistic king of Egypt, Ptolemy IV Philopator who ruled from 221-204 B.C.E. It is considered to be historical fiction. It would have been widely read by Jews living under the harsh rule of this Hellenistic king of Egypt.
4 MACCABEES – (ca. 63-B.C.E.)
4 Maccabees is considered a moral work of literature that synthesizes Hellenistic philosophy. The major focus is not revolt but to use reason and self-control as the means to overcome Jewish living in diaspora.
JUBILEES – (ca. 160-140 B.C.E.) It survived in completeness in Ge-ez and portions of the book were discovered within the Dead Sea Scrolls. The book of Jubilees is an adaption of Genesis and Exodus 1-12. The author expands on the stories found within these books and provides very descriptive moments in the lives of the biblical characters. It was written during the Hellenistic Second Temple period and focused on a return to Israel’s Law (halacha).
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