Read & Investigate

Apocryphal Biblical Text

Read scriptures removed from our modern canon of the Bible & investigate the alignment of these books with scripture to gain back missing context.

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...

Proverbs 25.2

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

These books fall in two categories.

From my studies I've gathered that Biblical text fall into two categories. One is good and the other is bad.

One is when a book is written very similar to scripture and accurately represents the same stories in our modern 66 book cannon. They often have additional details, but they do no add to the story if that makes sense. In the same way that Luke provided extra detail of Jesus riding in Jerusalem on a colt - with it's mother beside it, we get added context in these other books. I've tried to add only those books to this site. Added context, but not necessarily content.

The other type is books that lean heavy on Jewish Mysticism and Gnostic principles. These (like 2 and 3 Enoch)  were written by Jewish teachers shortly after Yahusha (Jesus) returned to Heaven and they sound like disinformation to me. An attempt to possibly discredit all Apocryphal books, especially 1 Enoch. They read very different, they do not speak of Christ and really don't make much sense. I have left many of these books off of this site, but I encourage you to read them yourself to see the differences. the only way to really understand this is to read them. Another one is the Gospel of Thomas, where it's details on Hell and far from anything we see in Scripture. These books are not tricky if you know scripture and it seems to me that many of them are found in the "New Testament Apocrypha" and were likely written by Pharisees, trying to discredit the importance of Yeshua or distract believers of their day.

On the other hand you can learn a lot about what many people in power belive about God from reading some of these sketchier books. Many people claim "God" but not Jesus and they speak of God as the "essence" or just really mystically. It can help us to know what they believe so that we don't fall for them as "Christians" when in fact they are very different.

Are these scripture or historical?

If this is new to you or if the Bible is new to you, then I don't recommend investigating the scriptural validity of these books right away. You need to be able to decern what matches with the existing scriptures and what is completely false. Many book come from gnostic and jewish mystic beliefs that are profoundly unbiblical, so it's important to know the story before trying to piece together the extra detials in these other books.

There is a great many reasons why these could be inspired scripture, but you can get lost in that and people automatically discount them as the historical documents that they are. You may need to back up, forget that other countries keep these books in their canons and just remember that this is the history books of the people in the Bible. That's pretty cool and a great reason to read them!

Sure theres evidence that Jesus taught his disciples from Jubilees, Enoch, Tobit and that they all grew up reading them, but you don't have to jump in there. (You can find that on the Study Tools page btw.) Just a get a feel for what people thought back then and as you continue to read your modern day Bible, I think you'll start to see where things click.

Just remember these are history books too.

Start with the modern cannon.

I highly recommend you approach this little "dig" with a clear foundation of books of the Bible we've been given in our modern canon.

Sure if you get to Genesis 6 and can't understand why God would flood the whole earth and if that makes you want to put it all down, then go read 1 Enoch and then jump back into the story. The foundation for all these books is the story of God saving humanity from our sin and how Jesus died, went to Sheol and took the keys so that He may be the ruler of a New Kingdom to come and how He is our High Priest atoning for all our sins on our behalf. and all we need to do to become part of that Kingdom is simply believe in Him. It's the story of Gods grace, through Jesus and how He will restore the Earth back to how it started. This is the story of the modern canon.

If these new books do not fit into the story then they are false, so you can't know whats been added to deceive us and what's actually true without knowing the foundational characters and story. Most of these "extra books" add more details to the modern canon in the times when God just needed to paint the overview.

And you really need to pray and fast while you read these. Let the Sprit the Lord has given you be your guide. It's not all knowledge. The Good Lord may not want you to go down this path right now and His reasons are always GOOD so pray over it first and keep praying over it as you read. This is an investigation, not necessarily your quiet time. I hope that makes sense.

What books seem legit and which don't?

I like how you think! You're asking the right questions. I try to only add books that seem to pass the test. As I keep reading these books and come to realize a book is not scriptural I'll add them to this blog post called Red Flag Apocryphal Books: Probably Not Scripture and I will continue updating that post the more I read and study.

Is there any background information I need to know before I read these?

Understanding Biblical Cosmology is absolutely key for understanding any of the Bible, but these books and rooted in the topic quite often. Sheol is also not talked about much today, but they clearly had an understanding of how that works better than we do today.

I've created a context blog, where I'll post all sorts of articles on things that help you gain more context to what you're reading. I don't want to you to miss something cool in these books becasue you we'rent familiar with a concept that God's people understood back then.

Where can I find study tools?

At the bottom of each book's page I've added lots of great content from people who use scripture to put the pieces together. There is information on manuscripts, people who used these books in early A.D., when they were removed and even if they fit into the modern canon we have today. Also you can find links to where you can purchase books and read a hard copy.

See all the study tools here.

Who made this and why?

Hey! This is real simple. My name is Bradley and I've been a follower of Jesus most of my life. I read the Bible about everyday and completed it many times growing up in a non-denominational church in Arkansas.

When I realized books were removed from our canon starting with the Pharisees after Jesus ascended, it clicked for me and I realize it was time to investigate. I like a nice website and never found one when searching out these books so I'm doing my best to make them easy to read and search through.

I have no affiliation with any organizations and never will. Maybe some friends will pitch in with content or something later, but this a project I personally payed for as a real funky kind of ministry for those who are curious like me. No one is trying to get you to join their church or promote shady doctrine.

Just thought you should know.
Enjoy!

1 Baruch

1 Baruch

Author:

Date Complied

Translated by

New King James

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

1 Enoch

1 Enoch

Author:

Enoch (Great-grandson of Seth)

Date Complied

1917

Translated by

R. H. CHARLES, D.LITT., D.D.

Translation:

Year Compiled:

1917

Removed from Cannon:

1526 AD

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

The Book of Enoch is one of the most important non-canonical works, and had a huge influence on early Christians. Preachers in Jesus day and for a few hundred years after were very familiar with it's teachings. It was later found in many manuscripts from the dead sea scrolls. In it Enoch, son of Jared and father of Methuselah (not the Enoch from Cain's line) is given visions of the Heavens above the firmament including the Throne Room of God and the ends of the earth, but also Sheol/Hades and even the lake of fire. It's well known for its details relating to the fallen class of angels known as the Watchers who using their knowledge of creation, mixed with women and bore the Titan-like creatures called Nephilim in Genesis 6. This being the reason for the flood as summarized in Genesis 6:5. Enoch also goes into the return of New Jerusalem and adds lots of context for events mentioned in Revelation and through the New Testament. This book add pretty clear context to the summary we're given in Genesis. Of course this destroys many narratives we were taught to believe in the world today and so it's naturally been hidden, but it fits extremely well with our modern 66 book canon and people in the Bible clearly understood the events of this book. Jesus even refers to himself as "The Son of Man" which comes first comes from the book of Enoch. Paired with a clear understanding of Biblical Cosmology, this book begins to makes sense of things we didn't quite grasp in our modern canon. Enoch wrote this book after being transported back into the Garden of Eden (a walled of Garden on the earth) as it was relayed to Noah who met him at that wall. (Check the study materials for more on that.)

1 Esdras

1 Esdras

Author:

The Prophet Ezra

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

King James Version

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

1564AD at the Council of Trent

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Except for some Greek Orthodox, Episcopal, or Lutheran Bibles, 1 and 2 Esdras do not appear in most Bibles. Authorship and dating of 1 and 2 Esdras is debated, but some scholars place the writing of certain portions of 2 Esdras as late as the 2nd century AD. “Esdras” is another form of the name Ezra, which means “help.” This is not found in the modern Catholic version of the Bible and was taken from their canon in 1564 at the Roman Catholic Council of Trent. With Sheol/Hades being a necessary understanding for this book, it's no wonder it was removed, seeing that their leadership puts a major emphasis on purgatory, which is not scriptural in any book of the Bible. So you can see why this work isn't common, but you can find it in the 1611 Edition of the King James Bible. Second Esdras was written too late to be included in the Septuagint and, therefore, does not appear within the more prominent canon (Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox). Second Esdras is also known by many other names, making it difficult to track fully. For example, 2 Esdras contains portions known in some circles as 3 Ezra, 4 Ezra, 5 Ezra, and 6 Ezra. The Ethiopian Church considers 4 Ezra to be canonical, whereas the Eastern Armenian Church labels it as 3 Ezra. Further, some scholars believe these books were written by several authors, including some possibly as late as the second century AD. Second Esdras is often referred to as the Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra and contains seven visions of Ezra dealing with his angst over the pain and suffering inflicted upon Jews by Gentiles. Some scholars believe the book was written shortly after the AD 70 destruction of the temple in Jerusalem during the reign of Emperor Domitian (AD 81—96). While there is a definite tone of sadness in this work, there is consolation regarding ultimate retribution. There are six Messianic references within 2 Esdras.

1 Maccabees

1 Maccabees

Author:

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

KJV - 1651 AD

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

2 Baruch

2 Baruch

The Apocalypse of Baruch

Author:

Baruch: Son of Neriah

Date Complied

1913

Translated by

R. H. Charles

Translation:

The Syriac

Year Compiled:

1913

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

2 Esdras

2 Esdras

Author:

The Prophet Ezra

Date Complied

Translated by

King James Version

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

1564AD at the Council of Trent

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Except for some Greek Orthodox, Episcopal, or Lutheran Bibles, 1 and 2 Esdras do not appear in most Bibles. Authorship and dating of 1 and 2 Esdras is debated, but some scholars place the writing of certain portions of 2 Esdras as late as the 2nd century AD. “Esdras” is another form of the name Ezra, which means “help.” This is not found in the modern Catholic version of the Bible and was taken from their canon in 1564 at the Roman Catholic Council of Trent. With Sheol/Hades being a necessary understanding for this book, it's no wonder it was removed, seeing that their leadership puts a major emphasis on purgatory, which is not scriptural in any book of the Bible. So you can see why this work isn't common, but you can find it in the 1611 Edition of the King James Bible. Second Esdras was written too late to be included in the Septuagint and, therefore, does not appear within the more prominent canon (Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox). Second Esdras is also known by many other names, making it difficult to track fully. For example, 2 Esdras contains portions known in some circles as 3 Ezra, 4 Ezra, 5 Ezra, and 6 Ezra. The Ethiopian Church considers 4 Ezra to be canonical, whereas the Eastern Armenian Church labels it as 3 Ezra. Further, some scholars believe these books were written by several authors, including some possibly as late as the second century AD. Second Esdras is often referred to as the Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra and contains seven visions of Ezra dealing with his angst over the pain and suffering inflicted upon Jews by Gentiles. Some scholars believe the book was written shortly after the AD 70 destruction of the temple in Jerusalem during the reign of Emperor Domitian (AD 81—96). While there is a definite tone of sadness in this work, there is consolation regarding ultimate retribution. There are six Messianic references within 2 Esdras.

2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees

Author:

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

KJV - 1651 AD

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Apocalypse of Abraham

Apocalypse of Abraham

Chapter

Author:

Abraham (?)

Date Complied

Translated by

Alexander Kulik

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

This is the story of Abraham before God chose him to be the father of nations. The events of this book would be the reasons why God considered him righteous as he lived in a time when the people around him wanted to build a tower to Yahweh in an attempt to remove Him from his place as the Most High. Abraham sees the absurdity of His father's idol making business. His father continually makes excuses for these false gods lack of ability. Meanwhile Abraham keeps trying to get him to understand that these idols do nothing and he does so through pretty fun interactions with them. This is a pretty funny book really. Because of Abrahams righteousness (he kept God's laws when no one else did) the Most High sends an Angel to guide him out of his current situation and into what we see later in Genesis. He receives visions from Yahweh of the different heavens (layers of the firmament). It's no wonder Abraham was so faithful in Genesis. This story add a lot of context to the life of Abraham.

Apocalypse of Moses

Apocalypse of Moses

Life of Adam & Eve

Author:

Moses

Date Complied

Translated by

Gary A. Anderson

Translation:

English Translation of the Greek Version

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

??

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

This is a great read that adds much clarity to the story of Adam and Eve. In in Adam dies and has an epic burial ceremony by the angels. Eve recounts the story of how they were deceived by Satan and how Satan used a serpent to do so, in order that her children may not fall for his traps again. There's more detail around the curse for the snake. It also brings more clarity around the Garden it's elf and how it was a walled-off garden on Earth. I don't see anything in this book that does't just add clarity to the account in Genesis.

Bel & The Dragon

Bel & The Dragon

Daniel Chapter 15

Author:

Daniel

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

After 1611 AD

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Bel and the Dragon is one of several additions to the book of Daniel. The original book of Daniel ends after chapter twelve. The extra material is found only in translations, such as the Septuagint and the 1611 King James, but not in modern Masoretic. Chapter 13 is known as the “Song of the Three Children”; chapter 14 is the book of “Susanna” and chapter 15 is “Bel and the Dragon.” It's read as one narrative split in three parts.

Jubilees

Jubilees

Author:

Moses

Date Complied

1913

Translated by

R. H. Charles

Translation:

Oxford: Clarendon Press

Year Compiled:

1913

Removed from Cannon:

1660 (?)

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

The Book of Jubilees, probably written in the 2nd century B.C.E., is an account of the Biblical history of the world from creation to Moses. It is divided into periods ('Jubilees') of 49 years. For the most part the narrative follows the familiar account in Genesis, but with some additional details such as the names of Adam and Eve's daughters, and an active role for a demonic entity called 'Mastema' (who is Satan). The anonymous author had a preoccupation with calendar reform, and uses Jubilees as a platform for proposing a solar calendar of 364 days and 12 months; this would have been a radical departure from the Jewish Calendar, which is lunar-based. There are also a couple of messianic, apocalyptic passages, although quite a bit less than the Book of Enoch. The only complete version of Jubilees is in Ethiopian, although large fragments in Greek, Latin and Syriac are also known. It is believed that it was originally written in Hebrew. If at times one gets the impression that you are reading a first draft of Genesis, you are in good company. R.H. Charles, the translator, a distinguished academic Biblical scholar, concluded that Jubilees was a version of the Pentateuch, written in Hebrew, parts of which later became incorporated into the earliest Greek version of the Jewish Bible, the Septuagint. In summary this book is all about the Lawn of Yahweh and it's critical scripture for understanding the thoughts and content of all the characters in the books we know today. All of them certainly had learned these writings.

Susanna

Susanna

Author:

Daniel

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

In this story, Daniel uses the God's Law as He indented to rebuke false priests who defame a young, virgin, girl to suit their own pleasure. They twist the law to turn it against her and Daniel uses his true understanding of it to defeat them at their own game.

Testament of Dan

Testament of Dan

Testament of the 12 Patriarchs

Author:

Dan: Seventh Son of Jacob and Bilhah

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Testament of Levi

Testament of Levi

Testament of the 12 Patriarchs

Author:

Levi: Third Son of Jacob & Leah

Date Complied

1926

Translated by

Rutherford H. Platt, Jr.

Translation:

Year Compiled:

1926

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Written about 100 years before Christ, this book recounts Levi's perspective as he is shown the multiple heavens (layers of the firmament) and what takes place in each. He also prophesies of Yeshua's coming.

The Prayer of Azariah

The Prayer of Azariah

The Song of the Three Jews

Author:

Abednigo

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

After 1611AD

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

This book is an expansion on Daniel 3 when Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo were thrown into the furnace. Their Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So Azariah is Abednego. These passages fit in between Daniel 3:23 & 24. This book describes the angel that was with them that came in the agency of Yahweh and how it protected them. It's also a recount of the song they sung to Yahweh in the midst of it all. This book was found in the Septuagint translation of the Bible back before Pharisees removed it from our more modern translations and it's found in the old King James as well. After that it became pretty well hidden except for in the catholic church's set of books.

The Prayer of Manasseh

The Prayer of Manasseh

Author:

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon

Wisdom of Solomon

Wisdom of Solomon

Author:

Solomon

Date Complied

Translated by

Translation:

KJV

Year Compiled:

Removed from Cannon:

Accurate Historical Claims
Many manuscrifts found
Prophet passes Dueterony 18 Test
Has many accurate ties to our modern canon
Found in 1611 KJV Bible
Still in Ethopian cannon