Old Testament Apocrypha


 
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Old Testament Apocrypha - The Apocrypha Proper of the non-Canonical Jewish literature from 200 B.C. to A.D. 100 constitutes the excess of the Vulgate over the Hebrew Old Testament, which excess was in turn borrowed from the LXX. But this listing follows The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the old Testament in English, Volume i, Apocrypha edited by R.H. Charles and differs from the Apocrypha Proper at once in the way of excess and in the way of defect. 3 Maccabees has been added after 2 Maccabees, since it is contained in many MSS. of the LXX, and 4 Ezra has been transferred to Volume ii, Pseudepigrapha, since it is essentially a Pseudepigraph.

How the term 'Apocryphal Books' arose has not yet been determined. It did not, as Zahn (Gcscli. dcs Nciitcstamcntlichen Kaiioiis I. i. 123 sq.), Schurer, Porter, N. Schmidt, and others maintain, originate in the Late Hebrew phrase designating 'hidden books.' But Talmudic literature knows nothing of such a class. The Hebrew word ganaz does not mean 'to hide', but 'to store away' things in themselves precious. Indeed, so far is it from being a technical term in reference to non-Canonical writings, that it is most frequently used in reference to the Canonical Scriptures themselves. When writings were wholly without the pale of the Sacred books — such as those of the heretics or Samaritans — they were usually designated hisonim, i.e. 'outside' (Sanh. x. i).

The term "apocrypha" comes from the Greek word meaning "hidden" or "secret." Originally, the term was applied to sacred books whose contents were too exalted to be made available to the general public. Gradually, the term "apocrypha" took on a disparaging connotation, since the orthodoxy of these hidden books was often questionable.

Deuterocanonical is a term first coined in 1566 by the theologian Sixtus of Siena to describe scriptural texts of the Old Testament whose canonicity was explicitly defined for Catholics by the Council of Trent. Their acceptance among early Christians was not universal, but regional councils in the West published official canons that included these books as early as the fourth and fifth centuries.

The Catholic deuterocanonical scriptural texts as defined by the Council of Trent follow the listing in The New English Bible except for 3 Maccabees and 4 Ezra as noted above for this listing.


THE APOCRYPHA OF THE OLD TESTAMENT



THE PSEUDEPIGRAPHA
OF
THE OLD TESTAMENT



Pseudepigrapha - [Gr.,=things falsely ascribed], meaning "books with false titles," refers to books similar in type to those of the Bible whose authors gave them the names of persons of a much earlier period in order to enhance their authority. The Pseudepigrapha is a collection of early Jewish and some Jewish-Christian writings composed between c.200 B.C. and c.A.D. 200, not found in the Bible or rabbinic writings.

The first listing follows The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the old Testament in English, Volume ii, Pseudepigrapha edited by R.H. Charles:


The End of the works included in The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the old Testament in English, Volume i & ii edited by R.H. Charles



THE APOCRYPHAL OLD TESTAMENT

Edited by H.F.D. Sparks

Published 1984



In the Preface of The Apocryphal Old Testament edited by H.F.D. Sparks published 1984, Clarendon Press, Mr. Sparks addresses the 'Pseudepigrapha' issue with these words: "And finally, the term 'Pseudepigrapha' has been avoided altogether. Pseudepigrapha is, in any case, an ugly word. And when used in association with 'Apocrypha', as it so frequently is, it can be very misleading. Strictly it is 'a collective term for books or writings bearing a false title, or ascribed to another than the true author'. Many of the books commonly grouped together and alluded to as 'the Pseudepigrapha' are indeed pseudepigraphical — no doubt a majority. But there is nothing distinctive about this: there are pseudepigraphical books in the Apocrypha (e.g. The wisdom of Solomon), and there are pseudepigraphical books in the Old Testament itself (e.g. Daniel). To refer to 'the Pseudepigrapha', without further definition or qualification, creates the impression in the popular mind that alongside the 'canonical' Old Testament and the 'deutero-canonical' Apocrypha there is a third, universally recognized, 'trito-canonical' collection of books — when there is not. Any collection of books of this kind, however chosen, is bound to mirror the predilections and the prejudices of its editor(s); and it is well that this should be realized. The term therefore, though ancient, is best avoided."

This second list follows The Apocryphal Old Testament edited by H.F.D. Sparks published 1984, Clarendon Press:

The Apocryphal Old Testament


The End of the works included in The Apocryphal Old Testament edited by H.F.D. Sparks published 1984, Clarendon Press.




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