The Apocrypha: A Guide

by Matthew Goff

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 the texts of the Apocrypha themselves, as presented in the New Oxford Annotated Bible.

The present volume is written not primarily for scholars but rather for anyone who would like to learn more about the Apocrypha. This book was shaped by an overarching conviction-that people who know next to nothing about the writings covered in this volume would enjoy reading them. If you have heard something about the books of the Apocrypha and want to know more about them, this book is for you.

322 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

In 1995, Matthew Goff first started experimenting with poetry and by the end of that year had produced his first body of work called “Fondness Lit a Match”. In 1996, Matthew Goff left home to experience life and continue writing poetry. Over the next 11 years he lived an adventure inspired by travel, love, romantic experiences and daydreams. “The Poetry of Matthew Goff” is the artistic output of a young poet inspired by his own experiences, as well as the work of French Symbolists and Surrealists such as Arthur Rimbaud and Robert Desnos.