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