Apocrypha
TextsWhat is the meaning of Apocrypha in the Bible?
The Apocrypha comprises a collection of deuterocanonical books and additional writings preserved in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, which were excluded from the Hebrew Bible and the Protestant Old Testament due to uncertainties regarding their authorship, date of composition, and acceptance in early Jewish and Christian liturgical practices.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Studying these texts reveals the religious and linguistic landscape of Second Temple Judaism, clarifying the historical origins of theological concepts like resurrection and intercession that appear in the New Testament, and helping readers understand the diverse textual traditions that influenced the formation of the biblical canon.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Apocrypha in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Apocrypha clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.