Greatest Literature banner

The Hebrew Bible (The Old Testament)

CritiqueQuotesText • Biblical canons

Genesis, first page, 1455First page of Genesis in Gutenberg bible, 1455
By various authors
Publication details ▽ Publication details △

First publication
c.1200–100 BCE

Literature form
Prose and poetry

Genres
Religion, mythology, history

Writing languages
Hebrew, Aramaic

Authors' places
Israel, Judah

Length
Approx. 632,500 words (Old Testament, King James Version)

The Biblical canons

Do you know all these books that have appeared in one version or another of The Hebrew Bible or Old Testament? Have you even heard of them all?

Probably not. Most people likely know only the writings that make up whatever Jewish or Christian scriptures they are most familiar with

Churches and other publishers of those ancient and medieval anthologies had a wide diversity of prose, poems and letters from which to select for inclusion in their Biblican canons. Not everything was considered appropriate for every religion's or sect's holy book. Choices had to be made, whether based on literary value, tradition or theological debate.

The major canons containing these works are:

• The Hebrew bible, also known as the Tanakh or the Masoretic text.

• The Septuagint, Greek translation of The Hebrew Bible used by the early Christian church.

• The Protestant bible, used by most Protestant churches.

• The Anglican bible, used by the Church of England and other Anglican churches.

• Roman Catholic bible, used by Rome-based Latin Catholicism.

• Eastern Othodox bible, used by Greek, Russian, Georgian Othodox Catholic Churches.

• Othodox Tewahedo bible, used by Ethiopian an Eritrean Othodox Tewahedo churches.

All the books noted here appeared in these or less well-known canons. They are listed in order of composition. Dates though are estimates and most have been disputed by scholars.

 

1000–570 BCE
Book of Judges
Covers the establishment of Israelites in the Promised Land, their repeatedly worshipping other gods, falling under oppression, being saved by a godly leader, and repenting.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Sefer Shoftim", Septuagint as "Kritai", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

900–300 BCE
Book of Psalms
Anthology of hymns, some attributed to David or other Bibliical figures.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Tehillīm", Septuagint as "Psalmoi", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

800 BCE
Book of Proverbs
Anthology of instruction on moral behaviour, the meaning of life, and wisdom in the fear of God.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Mishiel", Septuagint as "Paroimial", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible as "Messale" (Proverbs 1–24) and (Proverbs 25–31)

775–330 BCE
Book of Isaiah
Meditation on Jerusalem into and after the Babylonian captivity.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Yeshayahu", Septuagint as "Ēsaias", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Isaias", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

775–540 BCE
Book of Hosea
Also known as Osee, meaning "Salvation", writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Hosea.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Hōšēa", Septuagint as "Hōsēé", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as Osee, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

775–540 BCE
Book of Amos
Writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Amos.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Āmōs", Septuagint, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

750–540 BCE
Book of Micah
Also known as "Micheas", writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Micah.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Mīḵā hamMōraštī" ("Micah the Morashtite"), Septuagint as "Michaias", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as Michaes, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

650 BCE
Book of Nahum
Writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Nahum.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as Naoum, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

700–500 BCE
Book of Deuteronomy
Fifth book of the Hebrew and Protestant bibles, including the wandering in the wilderness, the expanded commandments, speeches and blessings by Moses, the passing of leadership from Moses to Joshua, the death of Moses.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Dəvārīm" ("Things" or "Words"), Septuagint as "Deuteronomion", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

700–540 BCE
Book of Zephaniah
Writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Zephania during reign of King Josiah.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Ṣəfanyā, Septuagint as Sophonias, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as Sophonias, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

700–570 BCE
Book of Joshua
Writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Joshua, telling the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Sefer Yəhōšūa", Septuagint as "Iēsous", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Josue", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

640–570 BCE
Book of Samuel
Two books attributed to the Jewish prophet Samuel, recounting the calling of Samuel, the defeat of the Philistines, the reign of Saul as king, the battle of David and Goliath, and the reign of King David.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Sefer Shmuel", Septuagint as "1 and 2 Basileiōn", Protestant bible as two books, Anglican bible as two books, Roman Catholic bible as "1 and 2 Kingdoms", Eastern Orthodox bible as "1 and 2 Kingdoms", Orthodox Tewahedo bible

640–570 BCE
Book of Kings
Two books attributed to the Jewish prophet Jeremiah, recounting the history of Israel and Judah including the death of King David, the reign of Solomon, the story of prophet Elijah, and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Sēfer Məlāḵīm", Septuagint as "1 and 2 Basileiōn", Protestant bible as two books, Anglican bible as two books, Roman Catholic bible as "3 and 4 Kingdoms", Eastern Orthodox bible as "3 and 4 Kingdoms", Orthodox Tewahedo bible

610–330 BCE
Book of Jeremiah
Writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Jeremiah from the time of King Josiah through the fall of Jerusalem.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Yirmĭyāhu", Septuagint as "1 and 2 Hieremias", Protestant bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Jeremias", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible including "Baruch", "Lamentations", "Letter of Jeremiah", and "4 Baruch"

600 BCE
Story of Ahikar
Also known as "Ahikar", mythical story of the chancellor to Assyrian kings, Ahikar (Haiqâr), falsely accused of treason and imprisoned to await execution.

Appearing in none of the major canons

600 BCE
Book of Habakkuk
Attributed to prophet Habakkuk, recounting a dialogue between Yahweh and the prophet.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as "Ambakoum", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Habacuc", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

600–400 BCE
Book of Exodus
Second book of the Hebrew and Protestant bibles, account of captivity in Egypt, the story of Moses, plagues of Egypt, escape from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, the covenant with Yahweh, and the Promised Land.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Šəmōṯ" ("The Names"), Septuagint, most Protestant bibles, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

600–80 BCE
Additions to Daniel
Passages not found in the Hebrew text of Daniel, four chapters Includes three stories "Prayer of Azariah", "Song of the Three Holy Children", "Bel and the Dragon", and "Susanna and the Elders".

Appearing in Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible

592–571 BCE
Book of Ezekiel
Presenting six visions of the prophet Ezekiel during Babylonian exile, including prophecies against Judah, Jerusalem and foreign nations,and for hope and salvation. Includes vision of Ezekiel's Wheel.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Yekhezqel, Septuagint as Iezekiēl, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as Ezechiel, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

586 BCE
Book of Obadiah
Writings attributed to the prophet Obadian, also known as "Abdias", about a vision prophesying the fall of Edom.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as "Obdiou", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Abdias", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

550 BCE
Lamentations
Five poems lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, ascribed to Jeremiah.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Eikhah", Septuagint as "Thrēnoi", Protestant bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible as part of "Ethiopic Lamentations of Jeremiah".

550–330 BCE
Book of Ruth
Tells the story of a Moabite woman Ruth who accepts Yahweh as her God and accepts the Israelite people as her own.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Megillath Ruth" ("the Scroll of Ruth"), Septuagint as "Routh", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

540 BCE–136 CE
Ethiopic Lamentations
Includes "Lamentations", "Letter of Jeremiah", prophecy of Jeremiah against Pashhur, and "4 Baruch".

Appearing in Orthodox Tewahedo bible as "Säqoqawä Eremyas"

538–250 BCE
Book of Genesis
First book of the Hebrew and Protestant bibles, account of the world's creation, humanity's early history, and Jewish origins, including narratives of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Bərē'šīṯ" ("In the beginning"), Septuagint, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

538–250 BCE
Book of Leviticus
Third book of the Hebrew and Protestant bibles, also known as the "Third Book of Moses", presenting God's ritual, legal and moral instructions to Moses.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Vayyīqrā" ("And He called"), Septuagint as "Leutikon", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

538–250 BCE
Book of Numbers
Fourth book of the Hebrew and Protestant bibles, continuing the exodus up to the seizing of Promised Land, including the Midianite massacre.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Bəmīḏbar" ("In the desert"), Septuagint as "Arithmoi", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

520 BCE
Book of Haggai
Third-person presenting the prophecies of Hebrew prophet Haggai, urging the Jerusalem temple be rebuilt and reporting its success.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Sefer Ḥaggay", Septuagint as "Angaios", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Aggeus", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

520–450 BCE
Book of Zechariah
Writings attributed to Hebrew prophet Zeckariah.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as "Zəḵarya", Septuagint as "Zacharias", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Zacharias", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

500 BCE?
Prayer of Solomon or Sirach 52
A shorter version of prayer by Solomon described in "Kings" and"Chronicles", sometimes appearing in bibles as fifty-second chapter of Sirach.

Appearing some Roman Catholic bibles as a separate prayer.

450 BCE
Book of Malachi
Writings attributed to an unknown prophet known as Malachi, meaning "My Mesenger".

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as "" ("His Messenger"), Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as "Malachias", Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

450–350 BCE
Book of Joel
Writings attributed to the Jewish prophet Joel.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as "Iōēl", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

400–250 BCE
Book of Ezra
Also known as "1 Ezra", once including the "Book of Nehemiah", following the return of Israelites after Babylonian captivity and the mission of priest Ezra mission of Ezra to purify the Jews from marriage with non-Jews.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as "1 Esdras", Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as"1 Esdras", Eastern Orthodox bible as "1 Esdras" or "Edras B'", Orthodox Tewahedo bible as "1 Esdras"

400–250 BCE
Book of Nehemiah
Also known as 2 Ezra, once included in the Book of Ezra, presents first-person memoir of Jewish official about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Septuagint as 2 Esdras, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as 2 Esdras, Eastern Orthodox bible as Esdras Γ' or Neemias

400–250 BCE
I Esdras
Also known as 3 Ezra, similar to the Hebrew version of Ezra-Nehemiah, with passages about Nehemiah removed or attributed to Ezra, and other changes.

Appearing in Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha as 1 Esdras, Eastern Orthodox bible as Esdras A' or 2 Esdras, Orthodox Tewahedo bible as 2 Ezra

400–250 BCE
2 Esdras
Also known as 4 Esdras or Latin Esdras, attributed to priest Ezra, predicting a Jewish apocalypse. Chapters 15 and 16 sometimes published separately as Apocalypsis of Esdras.

Appearing in Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha as 2 Esdras, some Eastern Orthodox bible as 3 Edras, Orthodox Tewahedo bible as Ezra Sutel

400 BCE
Book of Esther
Also known as "The Scroll", telling the story of a fictional Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and prevents a genocide of her people.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Ester, Septuagint, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

400–160 BCE
Book of Job
Anonymously written, addressing the problem of evil in mainly poetic dialogues and monologues of Job, three friends and God.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Īyyōḇ, Septuagint as Iōb, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

400–160 BCE
Ecclesiastes
Attributed to Solomon, covering the reign of Kohelet, son of David.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Qophelet, Septuagint as Ekklēsiastēs, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

400–160 BCE
Song of Songs
Also known as Song of Solomon and Canticle of Canticles, poem cdelebrating sexual love, ascribed to Solomon.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Shir Hashirim, Septuagint as Asma Asmatōn, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as Canticle of Canticles, Eastern Orthodox bible as Aisma Aismaton, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

350–300 BCE
Book of Chronicles
Also known as 1 and 2 Chronicles. 2enealogical account from Adam to kingdoms of Israel and Judah, plus the Babyloinan exile and return of the exiles. Includes the Prayer of Manasseh.

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Dīvrē-hayYāmīm ("words of the day"), Septuagint as 1 and 2 Paralipomenon, Protestant bible as 1 aznd 2 Chronicles, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as 1 and 2 Paralipomenon, Eastern Orthodox bible as 1 snd 2 Paralipomenon, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

323–31 BCE
Psalms 152–155
Four additional psalms found in Syriac biblical manuscripts, Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts.

Appearing in none of the major canons

300–150 BCE
Fictive story of a Hebrew prophet Jonah, sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh snd swallowed by a great fish.

Appearing in Hebrew bible, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible as Jonas, Eastern Orthodox bible

300–100 BCE
The Book of Enoch
Also known as 1 Enoch, apocalyptic text ascribed to Enoch, on the origins of demons and Nephilim, why some angels fell from heaven, an explanation of why the Genesis flood was morally necessary, and a prophetic exposition of the thousand-year reign of the Messiah.

Appearing in 0, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

225–175 BCE
Book of Tobit
Fictive account of blind Tobit in Nineveh and abandoned Sarah in Ecbatana and their families.

Appearing in Septuagint, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible as Tobias, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

200 BCE
Additions to Esther
Six additional chapters interspersed in Esther

Appearing in Septuagint, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible

200–100 BCE
Letter of Aristeas to Philocrates
Fictional account of the translation of the Hebrew bible by seventy-two Jewish translators in Egypt, resulting in the Septuagint, and the imparting of wisdom from the translators to the pharoah.

Appearing in none of the major canons

200 BCE–200 CE
Joseph and Asenath
Story expanding on relationship of Hebrew patriarch Joseph and wife Asenath.

Appearing in early Orthodox Tewahedo manuscripts

196–175 BCE
Sirach or Sirach (1–51)
Also known as Wisdom of Sirach, The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticu.

Appearing in Septuagint as Sophia Iēsou Seirach, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible as Ecclesiasticus, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

170–150 BCE
Book of Jubilees
Account of 2,410 years from creation to Israel history, with more and different detail detail than Genesis, organized into 49-year periods (jubilees).

Appearing in some Oriental Orthodox bibles, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

168–164 BCE
Book of Daniel
Account of the activities and visions of Daniel, a noble Jew in captivity at Babylon, including story of "Daniel in the lions' den".

Appearing in Hebrew bible as Daniyyel, Septuagint, Protestant bible, Anglican bible, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

150–100 BCE
Book of Judith
Story of a Jewish widow, who saves Jerusalem from complete destruction.

Appearing in Septuagint as Ioudith, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible , Eastern Orthodox bible

150 BCE–50 CE
Prayer of Manasseh
Prayer for mercy by Manasseh, idolatrous King of Judah, after being taken prisoner by Assyrians.

Appearing in Septuagint in Odes, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha as 1 Edras, Eastern Orthodox bible in Odes; some Oriental bibles in 2 Chronicles

150 BCE–500 CE
Odes
Fourteen hymns and prayers referencing mainly Old Testament figures.

Appearing in Septuagint, Eastern Orthodox bible

146–100 BCE
Book of Maccabees
Reporting in 1 Maccabees the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire and the founding of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea. Continuing in 2 Maccabees, recounting persecution under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.

Appearing in Septuagint as 1 and 2 Makkabaiōn, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible as 1 and 2 Machabees, Eastern Orthodox bible

120 BCE
Baruch
Also known as 1 Baruch, named for Baruch ben Neriah, scribe to the prophet Jeremiah, reflectiing on the Jewish exiles from Babylon, with meditations on the theology and history of Israel, discussions of wisdom, and an address to residents of Jerusalem and the Diaspora

Appearing in Septuagint as Barouch, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible

120 BCE
Letter of Jeremiah
Also known as the Epistle of Jeremiah, from Jeremiah and addressed to Jews about to be carried away to Babylonian captivity.

Appearing in Septuagint as Epistolē Ieremiou, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible as Baruch chapter 6, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible aspart of Ethiopic Lamentations of Jeremiah

100–70 BCE
3 Maccabees
Also known as the Third Book of Maccabees, probably fictiitious story of persecution under Egyptian pharaoh Ptolemy IV Philopator, unrelated to Maccabean revolt of 1 and 2 Maccabees.

Appearing in Septuagint as 3 Makkabaiōn, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Eastern Orthodox bible

50 BCE
4 Maccabees
Also known as the Fourth Book of Maccabees, elaborating of the stories of martyrdom in 2 Maccabees.

Appearing in Septuagint in Appendix as 4 Makkabaiōn, Protestant bible in Apocrypha

50 BCE
Psalms of Solomon
Eighteen war songs from the time of Pompey's conquest of Judea.

Appearing in Septuagint in Appendix as Psalmoi Salomōntos

50 BCE–40 CE
Wisdom
Also known as Wisdom of Solomon.

Appearing in Septuagint as Sophia Salomōntos, Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Anglican bible in Apocrypha, Roman Catholic bible, Eastern Orthodox bible, Orthodox Tewahedo bible

70–125 CE
Odes of Solomon
Forty-two odes of peace and joy attributed to Solomon.

Appearing in none of the major canons

70–200 CE
3 Baruch
Also known as Greek Apocalypse of Baruch, including prayer, lamentation, and visions about sacking of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.

Appearing in none of the major canons

75 CE
The Wars of the Jews
Flavius Josephus's history of the destruction of Jerusalem in the wars with the Romans.

Appearing in none of the major canons

100 CE
2 Baruch
Also known as Letter of Baruch to the Nine and a Half Tribes, about Jerusalem after sacking in 587 BCE. Chapters 1–77 also known as Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch. Chapters 78–89 also known as Letter of Baruch.

Appearing in none of the major canons

100 CE
Psalm 151
Song telling the story of David and Goliath, ascribed to David, written in first person.

Appearing in Protestant bible in Apocrypha, Eastern Orthodox bible

100 CE
2 Enoch
Also known as the Secrets of Enoch, reporting the patriarch Enoch's trip through ten levels of heaven and his instructions to his sons.

Appearing in none of the major canons

136 CE
4 Baruch
Also known as Paralipomena of Jeremiah, with material left out of Jeremiah, including the conquest of Jerusalem by Chaldeans, Jeremiah's miraculous escape, miraculous sixty-six year sleep of Abimelech, and reunion with Baruch.

Appearing in Orthodox Tewahedo bible as Säqoqawä Eremyas, part of Ethiopic Lamentations of Jeremiah

150 CE
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
Dying commands and ethical teachings of the twelve sons of Jacob, including the testaments of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin.

Appearing in none of the major canons

150 CE
Ascension of Isaiah
On the martyrdom of Isaiah, the testament of Hezekiah predicting the coming of Jesus, and the vision of Isaiah predicting the coming, death, resurection and ascension of Jesus.

Appearing in early Orthodox Tewahedo manuscripts

200–600 CE
3 Enoch
Also known as The Book of the Palaces, The Book of Rabbi Ishmael the High Priest or The Elevation of Metatron, ascribed to Rabbi Ishmael and telling of the ascent of Enoch and his transformation into the angel Metratron.

Appearing in none of the major canons

600 CE
Book of Adam and Eve
Also known as the Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan, four books telling the story of Adam and Eve and their descendants after expulsion from the Garden of Eden through to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE

Appearing in none of the major canons

950 CE
Josippon
Also known as Yosippon or Zëna Ayhud (Ethiopic Pseudo-Josephus), ascribed falsely to Flavius Josephus chronicling Jewish history from Adam to the age of Titus.

Appearing in Orthodox Tewahedo bible

1100 CE
"1 Meqabyan "
Also known as 1 Ethiopic Maccabees, about of two Judean revolts against Seleucid rule, unrelated to uprising elsewhere recounted in Maccabees.

Appearing in Orthodox Tewahedo bible

1100 CE
2 Meqabyan
Also known as 2 Ethiopic Maccabees, about war of Maccabeus agsainst Israel unrelated to uprising elsewhere recounted in Maccabees.

Appearing in Orthodox Tewahedo bible

1100 CE
3 Meqabyan
Also known as 3 Ethiopic Maccabees, about Old Testament figures and their temptations by the Devil.

Appearing in Orthodox Tewahedo bible

 

CritiqueQuotesText • Biblical canons