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How many apocryphal writings are there?

Published in Biblical Apocrypha 4 mins read

There are fourteen apocryphal writings commonly recognized as such. These books emerged during what is known as the intertestamental period, the span of time between the completion of the Old Testament and the advent of the New Testament.

Understanding the Apocrypha

The term "Apocrypha" (from Greek, meaning "hidden" or "secret") refers to a collection of books that are not included in the Hebrew Bible, but were part of the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. While these texts offer valuable historical and literary insights, their canonical status varies significantly among Christian traditions.

Canonical Recognition

  • Roman Catholic Church: Many of these writings are recognized as canonical, referred to as deuterocanonical books. This means they are considered part of the inspired Word of God.
  • Protestant Churches: These writings are generally not recognized as canonical. They are often viewed as historically interesting or edifying, but not as divinely inspired scripture on par with the Old and New Testaments. They are sometimes included in Bibles as a separate section, often placed between the Old and New Testaments.

The Fourteen Apocryphal Books

The specific books that constitute the Apocrypha can vary slightly depending on the tradition, but the following fourteen are commonly identified:

Number Book Name Description
1 1 Esdras (or 3 Esdras) Retells the history of Israel from Josiah to Ezra, largely paralleling sections of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, with some unique material.
2 2 Esdras (or 4 Esdras) A prophetic apocalypse featuring Ezra's visions concerning the end times, the fate of Israel, and God's justice.
3 Tobit A moral and entertaining story about a righteous Jew, Tobit, and his son Tobias, who is guided by the archangel Raphael to marry Sarah and heal his father's blindness.
4 Judith Narrates the courageous act of Judith, a Jewish widow who saves her people from an Assyrian army by seducing and then beheading the enemy general, Holofernes.
5 Additions to Esther Several passages not found in the Hebrew version of the Book of Esther, including prayers, dreams, and more details about Mordecai's vision and the king's decrees, often providing a more religious dimension.
6 Wisdom of Solomon A philosophical work attributed to King Solomon, exploring themes of divine wisdom, the justice of God, the destiny of the righteous and the wicked, and the folly of idolatry.
7 Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) A collection of ethical teachings and maxims from Jesus ben Sira, covering a wide range of topics from social conduct and family life to religious observance and the pursuit of wisdom.
8 Baruch Attributed to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, it includes a confession of sins, a call to wisdom, and prophecies of comfort and restoration for Jerusalem.
9 Letter of Jeremiah Often attached to Baruch as its sixth chapter, this letter is a polemic against idolatry, ridiculing the impotence and foolishness of pagan gods.
10 Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children Inserted into the Book of Daniel (between Daniel 3:23 and 3:24), this includes a prayer of repentance by Azariah and a hymn of praise sung by the three young men in the fiery furnace.
11 Susanna Another addition to Daniel, this story tells of Susanna, a virtuous woman falsely accused by two lecherous elders, and her vindication through the wisdom of young Daniel.
12 Bel and the Dragon The third addition to Daniel, comprising two separate narratives: Daniel's exposure of the false deity Bel, and his killing of a sacred dragon revered by Babylonians, leading to Daniel being thrown into a lion's den again.
13 1 Maccabees Provides a historical account of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, focusing on the leadership of the Maccabean family.
14 2 Maccabees A different historical account of the same period, focusing more on the theological and miraculous aspects of the revolt, including martyrdom, the resurrection of the dead, and prayers for the deceased.

These writings offer unique insights into the religious, cultural, and historical landscape of the Second Temple Judaism period.