Unveiling the Mystery- The 14 Books Removed from the Bible and Their Significance

What were the 14 books removed from the Bible?

The Bible, as we know it today, is a compilation of sacred texts that have been revered by billions around the world for centuries. However, the Bible has undergone several revisions and alterations throughout history, leading to the exclusion of certain books from the canonical texts. These 14 books, often referred to as the Apocrypha, were removed from the Bible due to various reasons, including theological disputes, language, and historical context. This article delves into the origins and significance of these 14 books that were once considered part of the sacred Scripture.

The Apocrypha consists of 14 books that were included in the Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament but were excluded from the Hebrew Masoretic Text, which is the basis for the modern Jewish Bible. These books are as follows:

1. 1 and 2 Esdras: These books were removed from the Protestant Old Testament because they were considered to be a repetition of the book of Ezra.
2. Tobit: This book tells the story of Tobit, a righteous man who faces various trials and tribulations before being saved by the angel Raphael.
3. Judith: The story of Judith, a Jewish woman who saves her people from the Assyrians by cunningly beheading their general, Holofernes.
4. Ester (or Esther): The story of Queen Esther, who saves her people from destruction by the Persian king, Ahasuerus.
5. Wisdom of Solomon: A collection of proverbs and teachings attributed to King Solomon, offering insights into wisdom and morality.
6. Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach: Also known as Ecclesiasticus, this book is a collection of proverbs and teachings attributed to Jesus, son of Sirach.
7. Baruch: This book contains the Letter of Jeremiah and the Lamentations of Jeremiah, along with other prayers and prophecies.
8. 1 Maccabees: The story of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire, focusing on the struggles of the Jewish people to maintain their religious and cultural identity.
9. 2 Maccabees: A continuation of the story of the Maccabean Revolt, highlighting the struggles of the Jewish people and their determination to remain faithful to their religion.
10. 1 and 2 Chronicles: These books were considered redundant and were removed from the Protestant Old Testament, as they were seen as a repetition of the books of Kings.
11. Prayer of Manasseh: A prayer attributed to King Manasseh, who repented for his sins and sought forgiveness from God.
12. Additions to the Psalms: These additions include the Psalms of Solomon and the Odes of Solomon, which were not included in the Masoretic Text.
13. 1 Esdras: This book is a duplicate of the book of Ezra and was removed from the Protestant Old Testament.
14. Ecclesiasticus: This book is another name for the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach and was included in the Apocrypha.

The exclusion of these books from the Protestant Bible was primarily due to theological reasons. Theologians believed that these books contained elements that were not in line with the teachings of the New Testament or the overall message of the Bible. Additionally, some of these books were written in Greek, which was considered to be a language of the Gentiles, rather than the Hebrew language used in the original Old Testament.

Despite their exclusion from the Protestant Bible, the Apocrypha remains an important part of the Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions. These books offer valuable insights into the history, culture, and religious beliefs of the time and are often used as a source of inspiration and guidance for believers.