The History of The Apocryphal books
What Is the Apocrypha?
The word "Apocrypha" comes from a Greek word meaning "hidden" or "concealed." Today, it usually refers to a collection of Jewish writings that were written during the period between the Old and New Testaments (roughly 300 BC to 100 AD).
Different religious groups view these books differently:
The Catholic Church calls many of them the Deuterocanonical Books and considers them Scripture.
Most Protestant churches do not consider them part of the biblical canon but may regard them as historically valuable.
The Eastern Orthodox Churches generally accept an even larger collection of these books.
Rabbinic Judaism does not include them in the Hebrew Bible.
BUT WE HEBREW ISRAELITES consider them sacred text and accepted them as inspired books
Why do we consider the books Sacred?
Because the apocryphal books promote the laws, statutes and commandments in Torah, they are historically valuable to understand the book of Daniel and end times prophecies. The historical records are also referenced to outside sources proving their authenticity.
Which Books Are Included?
Common books of the Apocrypha include:
Tobit
Judith
Wisdom of Solomon
Sirach
Baruch
First Maccabees
Second Maccabees
Additions to Daniel:
Prayer of Azariah
Susanna
Bel and the Dragon
Additions to Esther
Some traditions also include:
First Esdras
Second Esdras
Prayer of Manasseh
When Were They Written?
Most Apocryphal books were written between the last prophets of the Old Testament and the time of Jesus.
Approximate dates:
BookDateTobitc. 225–175 BCSirachc. 180 BCWisdom of Solomonc. 100–50 BC1 Maccabeesc. 100 BC2 Maccabeesc. 124 BC
They were written during a period of Persian, Greek, and Roman influence on the Jewish people.
What Languages Were They Written In?
Unlike the common belief that all Apocrypha were written in Greek, the evidence is mixed.
Some were originally written in:
Hebrew
Aramaic
Greek
Fragments of several Apocryphal books were discovered among the Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, showing that some existed in Hebrew or Aramaic before being translated into Greek.
For example:
Sirach was originally written in Hebrew.
Tobit has been found in Aramaic and Hebrew fragments.
Wisdom of Solomon appears to have been composed in Greek.
How Did They Become Associated With the Bible?
The Septuagint
A major factor was the Septuagint (often abbreviated LXX).
Beginning around the 3rd century BC, Jewish scholars translated Hebrew Scriptures into Greek for Jews living outside Judea.
Over time, copies of the Septuagint often circulated with the Apocryphal books included alongside the traditional Hebrew Scriptures.
Because many early Christians spoke Greek and used the Septuagint, they became familiar with these books.
Historical Importance
Even for those who do not consider them Scripture, the Apocrypha provides valuable information about:
Jewish life before Jesus
The rise of the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great
The Maccabean Revolt
Jewish expectations of the Messiah
Religious beliefs and practices during the Second Temple period
In particular, 1 and 2 Maccabees are among the most important historical sources for understanding events between the Old and New Testaments.
Summary
The Apocrypha consists of Jewish writings composed mainly between 300 BC and 100 AD in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. These books were preserved through Greek manuscripts, especially the Septuagint, and were included in many early Christian Bibles. Their status has been debated for centuries, leading some traditions to accept them as Scripture and others to regard them as valuable historical and religious literature but not part of the biblical canon.
