The inclusion or exclusion of certain books, such as Tobit and Judith, in the biblical canon stems from historical, theological, and cultural factors. The differences in the Old Testament can be traced back to the development of different canons within various branches of Judaism and Christianity. The key factors include:
Canonical Tradition:
Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox traditions have different canonical traditions. The Protestant Old Testament follows the Hebrew Bible (Masoretic Text), which excludes certain books found in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons include additional books, often referred to as the Deuterocanonical books, which are found in the Septuagint.
Councils and Synods:
Different councils and synods in the history of Christianity played a role in determining the biblical canon for specific traditions. For example, the Councils of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD) confirmed the canon for the Western Latin Church, including the Deuterocanonical books. However, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a rejection of these books by many Protestant groups.
Rabbinic Judaism:
After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, Rabbinic Judaism, which became the dominant form of Judaism, focused on a more limited set of sacred texts. This canon did not include some books found in the Septuagint.
Translation and Language:
The choice of language also played a role. The Septuagint, being a Greek translation, was widely used in the Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian communities. The Latin Vulgate, translated by St. Jerome in the 4th century, included the Deuterocanonical books, further solidifying their place in the Catholic canon.
Theological Emphasis:
Theological considerations also influenced canon formation. Some books were excluded or included based on their alignment with specific theological emphases or concerns.In the case of Tobit and Judith, these books are part of the Deuterocanonical books in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions but are not included in the Protestant Old Testament. The reasons for these differences are rooted in the historical development of canons within these traditions and the various factors that shaped their formation. Each tradition has its own criteria for determining the canonical status of specific books.
