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Bible Interpretation

What books were removed from the Bible and why? Where might I find them?

What books were removed from the Bible and why? Where might I find them?

All English translations of the Bible printed in the sixteenth century included a section or appendix for Apocryphal books. Matthew's Bible, published in 1537, contains all the Apocrypha of the later King James Version 1611, in an inter-testamental section.

The 1538 Myles Coverdale Bible contained an Apocrypha that excluded Baruch and the Prayer of Manasseh. The 1560 Geneva Bible placed the Prayer of Manasseh after 2 Chronicles; the rest of the Apocrypha were placed in an inter-testamental section.

The Douay-Rheims Bible (1582–1609) placed the Prayer of Manasseh and 3 and 4 Esdras into an Appendix of the second volume of the Old Testament.

The apocrypha was a part of the KJV for 274 years until being removed in 1885 A.D

  • 1 Esdras (Vulgate 3 Esdras)
  • 2 Esdras (Vulgate 4 Esdras)
  • Tobit
  • Judith ("Judeth" in Geneva)
  • Rest of Esther (Vulgate Esther 10:4 – 16:24)
  • Wisdom
  • Ecclesiasticus (also known as Sirach)
  • Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremy ("Jeremiah" in Geneva) (all part of Vulgate Baruch)
  • Song of the Three Children (Vulgate Daniel 3:24–90)
  • Story of Susanna (Vulgate Daniel 13)
  • The Idol Bel and the Dragon (Vulgate Daniel 14)
  • Prayer of Manasses (Daniel)
  • 1 Maccabees
  • 2 Maccabees

These books are pseudepigrapha, a book written in a biblical style and ascribed to an author who did not write it. They are not included in the Bible either.

  • Apocalypse of Abraham
  • Apocalypse of Moses
  • Letter of Aristeas
  • Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah
  • Joseph and Aseneth
  • Life of Adam and Eve
  • Lives of the Prophets
  • Ladder of Jacob
  • Jannes and Jambres
  • History of the Captivity in Babylon
  • History of the Rechabites
  • Eldad and Modad
  • History of Joseph
  • Odes of Solomon
  • Prayer of Joseph
  • Prayer of Jacob
  • Vision of Ezra

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