Christians generally think of the Apocrypha as a specific group of non-canonical books (they are NOT Scripture except for the Orthodox and Catholic churches). But there are actually four sets of apocryphas, and they are all different from each other. The Orthodox Church has sixteen books, the original King James Bible had fifteen, the Septuagint has eleven books, and the Catholic bibles have only seven books (which they call Deuterocanonical, and are common to all).
There are a total of seventeen apocryphal books, which are distributed as follows:
Books found in all four groups:
1. Tobit
2. Judith
3. Wisdom of Solomon
4. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
5. Baruch
6. I Maccabees
7. II Maccabees
Books found only in Orthodox bibles and the original KJV
8. I Esdras (also in the Septuagint)
9. II Esdras
10. Letter of Jeremiah
11. Prayer of Manasseh
12. Susanna
13. Bel and the Dragon
14. Prayer of Azariah/Song of the Three Holy Youths
Books found only in Orthodox bibles and the Septuagint
15. III Maccabees
16. IV Maccabees
Books found in all other than the Catholic bibles
17. Additions to Esther
"There were many reasons to include the Apocrypha within the pages of the [King James] Bible during the 17th century. Protestants of the time were deeply engaged in debates with Catholics over doctrine, so Protestant pastors and theologians were served well by being well-acquainted with the Apocrypha which formed the basis of several Catholic doctrines. Some books, such as Maccabees and Sirach, are quoted in the Talmud; so familiarity with the Apocrypha can be helpful to understand Judaism during the time of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of some Old testament prophecies, such as those in Daniel, can be confirmed by the historical information in the Apocryphal books such as Maccabees. Despite its inclusion in the KJV, however, the translators did not consider the Apocrypha as part of scripture. Whereas Catholic Bibles included the Apocryphal books mixed with scripture, the KJV separates the Apocryphal books and labels them with the irreverent generic running head, “Apocrypha” (which means “obscure”). The Apocrypha is no more inspired than are other things that might be included in today’s editions of the Bible, such as study notes, book introductions, devotional tips, etc. We can just as well say about some study notes that they are to be "read for example of life and instruction of manners" but not to "establish any doctrine". The Apocrypha is not included in most publications of the KJV today."
Editions of the KJV and the Apocrypha - King James Version Today
There are a total of seventeen apocryphal books, which are distributed as follows:
Books found in all four groups:
1. Tobit
2. Judith
3. Wisdom of Solomon
4. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
5. Baruch
6. I Maccabees
7. II Maccabees
Books found only in Orthodox bibles and the original KJV
8. I Esdras (also in the Septuagint)
9. II Esdras
10. Letter of Jeremiah
11. Prayer of Manasseh
12. Susanna
13. Bel and the Dragon
14. Prayer of Azariah/Song of the Three Holy Youths
Books found only in Orthodox bibles and the Septuagint
15. III Maccabees
16. IV Maccabees
Books found in all other than the Catholic bibles
17. Additions to Esther
"There were many reasons to include the Apocrypha within the pages of the [King James] Bible during the 17th century. Protestants of the time were deeply engaged in debates with Catholics over doctrine, so Protestant pastors and theologians were served well by being well-acquainted with the Apocrypha which formed the basis of several Catholic doctrines. Some books, such as Maccabees and Sirach, are quoted in the Talmud; so familiarity with the Apocrypha can be helpful to understand Judaism during the time of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of some Old testament prophecies, such as those in Daniel, can be confirmed by the historical information in the Apocryphal books such as Maccabees. Despite its inclusion in the KJV, however, the translators did not consider the Apocrypha as part of scripture. Whereas Catholic Bibles included the Apocryphal books mixed with scripture, the KJV separates the Apocryphal books and labels them with the irreverent generic running head, “Apocrypha” (which means “obscure”). The Apocrypha is no more inspired than are other things that might be included in today’s editions of the Bible, such as study notes, book introductions, devotional tips, etc. We can just as well say about some study notes that they are to be "read for example of life and instruction of manners" but not to "establish any doctrine". The Apocrypha is not included in most publications of the KJV today."
Editions of the KJV and the Apocrypha - King James Version Today
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