Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Apocrypha"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Apocrypha
hidden, spurious, the name given to certain ancient books which
found a place in the LXX. and Latin Vulgate versions of the Old
Testament, and were appended to all the great translations made
from them in the sixteenth century, but which have no claim to
be regarded as in any sense parts of the inspired Word.
(1.) They are not once quoted by the New Testament writers,
who frequently quote from the LXX. Our Lord and his apostles
confirmed by their authority the ordinary Jewish canon, which
was the same in all respects as we now have it.
(2.) These books were written not in Hebrew but in Greek, and
during the "period of silence," from the time of Malachi, after
which oracles and direct revelations from God ceased till the
Christian era.
(3.) The contents of the books themselves show that they were
no part of Scripture. The Old Testament Apocrypha consists of
fourteen books, the chief of which are the Books of the
Maccabees (q.v.), the Books of Esdras, the Book of Wisdom, the
Book of Baruch, the Book of Esther, Ecclesiasticus, Tobit,
Judith, etc.
The New Testament Apocrypha consists of a very extensive
literature, which bears distinct evidences of its non-apostolic
origin, and is utterly unworthy of regard.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Apocrypha \A*poc"ry*pha\, n. pl., but often used as sing. with
pl. {Apocryphas}. [L. apocryphus apocryphal, Gr. ? hidden,
spurious, fr. ? to hide; ? from + ? to hide.]
1. Something, as a writing, that is of doubtful authorship or
authority; -- formerly used also adjectively. [Obs.]
--Locke.
2. Specif.: Certain writings which are received by some
Christians as an authentic part of the Holy Scriptures,
but are rejected by others.
Note: Fourteen such writings, or books, formed part of the
Septuagint, but not of the Hebrew canon recognized by
the Jews of Palestine. The Council of Trent included
all but three of these in the canon of inspired books
having equal authority. The German and English
Reformers grouped them in their Bibles under the title
Apocrypha, as not having dogmatic authority, but being
profitable for instruction. The Apocrypha is now
commonly ?mitted from the King James's Bible.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
Apocrypha
n : 14 books of the Old Testament included in the Vulgate but
omitted in Jewish and Protestant versions of the Bible
[syn: {Apocrypha}]
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