The Apocrypha: A Guide

Many readers of scripture, particularly in North America, are not aware that a substantial number of books were removed from their Old Testament. These books, often known collectively as the Apocrypha, were considered scripture for centuries and for millions of Christians today still are. This book is an introduction to the Apocrypha. It discusses ancient and early modern disputes about scripture to provide context for understanding the formation of the textual category “Apocrypha.” Each chapter focuses on a specific book, examining its core themes and ideas. The cultural and historical context of the composition of each book is analyzed in its ancient Jewish milieu. This historical context is often elucidated by the Dead Sea Scrolls which have only in recent years been published in full. The later reception of this material in rabbinic Judaism, Christianity, and other modern cultural contexts such as art and literature, is also discussed. This book is designed to be read along with the texts of the Apocrypha themselves, as presented in the New Oxford Annotated Bible.

The present volume is written not primarily for scholars but rather for anyone who would like to learn more about the Apocrypha. This book was shaped by an overarching conviction-that people who know next to nothing about the writings covered in this volume would enjoy reading them. If you have heard something about the books of the Apocrypha and want to know more about them, this book is for you.

Matthew Goff is Professor in the Department of Religion at Florida State University. He is the author of Worldly and Heavenly Wisdom of 4QInstruction, a study of the last lengthy Qumran text to be published. His main research interests include the Dead Sea Scrolls and the apocalyptic literature of ancient Judaism.

Chapter 1. Introduction: “The Bookes Called Apocrypha”
Chapter 2. Exile? What Exile?: The First Book of Esdras (3 Ezra)
Chapter 3. The Death of the Eagle and the Return of the Torah: The Second Book of Esdras (4 Ezra)
Chapter 4. All's Well That Ends Well: The Book of Tobit
Chapter 5. Judith, the Queen of Hearts
Chapter 6. Variations of a Beloved Tale: The Books of Esther
Chapter 7. The Noble Philosophy of Judaism: The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 8. Find a Great Teacher Like Me: The Book of Sirach (Ben Sira)
Chapter 9. Jeremian Scriptures in Exile: Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah
Chapter 10. Forgotten Flowers: The “Additions” to the Book of Daniel
Chapter 11. The Rehabilitation of a Wicked King: The Prayer of Manasseh
Chapter 12. It's Hammer Time: 1 Maccabees
Chapter 13. Dying for Judaism Prompts God's Mercy: 2 Maccabees
Chapter 14. David Singing at the End of the Psalter: Psalm 151
Chapter 15. God Saves the Jews from Drunk Elephants: 3 Maccabees
Chapter 16. Judaism Offers the Best Path to Reason: 4 Maccabees
Chapter 17. Forgotten Scripture: 1 Enoch and Jubilees
Chapter 18. Read the Apocrypha