The books that are not included in the standard Protestant and most modern Christian Bibles are often referred to as the “Apocrypha” or “Deuterocanonical” books. The inclusion or exclusion of these books can vary among different Christian denominations. These books are found in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and they are considered canonical by certain Christian traditions, such as the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Here are some examples of books that are included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles but not in most Protestant Bibles:
- Tobit:
- A narrative about Tobit, a righteous Israelite, and his son Tobias. It includes themes of faith, prayer, and the importance of helping others.
- Judith:
- Tells the story of Judith, a courageous Jewish widow, who saves her people by seducing and then beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes.
- Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom):
- A book of philosophical and poetic reflections on wisdom, righteousness, and the immortality of the soul.
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus):
- A collection of ethical teachings and practical advice attributed to Jesus Ben Sirach, covering topics such as friendship, morality, and family life.
- Baruch:
- Attributed to Baruch, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah, it includes prayers of repentance and reflections on the consequences of disobedience to God.
- 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees:
- Historical accounts of the Maccabean Revolt and the events leading to the rededication of the Jewish Temple, commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah.
- Additions to the Book of Esther and Daniel:
- Additional sections added to the canonical books of Esther and Daniel, containing prayers and episodes not found in the Hebrew Masoretic Text.
- Additions to the Book of Daniel:
- These include the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews, as well as the story of Susanna and Bel and the Dragon.
It’s important to note that while these books are considered canonical by some Christian traditions, their inclusion in the Bible has been a matter of historical and theological debate. Different denominations have different criteria for determining the canonical status of books, and as a result, the content of the Bible can vary among Christian groups.
