History

What are the Apocyrphal books

The Apocrypha are a group of Jewish writings written mainly between 300 BCE and 100 CE. They were included in the Greek Septuagint (LXX) — the version of the Old Testament widely used in Jesus’ time. Books include: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 & 2 Maccabees, and additions to Daniel and Esther. ️ Who removed them and when? Jewish Canon (90 CE, Council of Jamnia) Jewish leaders standardized the Hebrew Scriptures. Since the Apocrypha were mostly in Greek, not Hebrew, they were excluded. Early Christians (1st–4th centuries) Christians still used the Septuagint, so they often accepted the Apocrypha. Early church fathers (Augustine, Irenaeus) quoted them as Scripture. Others (Jerome) were hesitant. Catholic Church (1546, Council of Trent) After the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church formally declared these books canonical (called Deuterocanonical). Protestant Reformers (1500s) Martin Luther (1520s) moved the Apocrypha to a separate section, saying they were useful for reading but not for doctrine. The Geneva Bible (1560) and King James Bible (1611) originally included them in a separate section. By the 1800s, most Protestant Bibles began to omit them entirely.

WHY WERE THEY REMOVED?

Language: Written in Greek/Aramaic, not Hebrew. Late Composition: Written after the traditional Hebrew canon closed. Doctrinal Concerns: Some books supported Catholic teachings (e.g., prayers for the dead in 2 Maccabees), which Protestants rejected. Tradition vs. Scripture: Reformers insisted only texts clearly recognized as inspired by the early Jewish canon should remain. Summary Timeline: 90 CE – Jewish canon excludes Apocrypha. 1st–4th c. – Early Christians often used them. 1546 – Catholic Church declares them official (Deuterocanonical). 1500s–1600s – Protestants separate then drop them. 1800s onward – Most Protestant Bibles print without them. So today: Catholics & Orthodox: Keep them in the Old Testament. Protestants: Usually omit them. Scholars: Value them for understanding Jewish history between the Old & New Testament.