The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments [Hardcover]

James H. Charlesworth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1983

The writers of the Bible depended on other sources for much of their work. Some of these sources may be lost forever, but many have recently come to light. Known as the pseudepigrapha, they are made available here in volumes.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

From the Publisher

The writers of the Bible depended on other sources for much of their work. Some of these sources may be lost forever, but many have recently come to light. Known as the pseudepigrapha, they are made available here in volumes.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1056 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday & Company; 1 edition (September 28, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385096305
• ISBN-13: 978-0385096300
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared to spend much study time on this book, September 30, 2004

By 

David Oldacre (Sutton, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments (Hardcover)

I am neither a biblical scholar nor a theological student, and therefore came to this book by a somewhat circuitous route. After reading several books on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the books of Flavius Josephus, Edward Gibbon's Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire, various Ecclesiastical Histories which I found on the Net, the Jerusalem Bible, Harpers Bible Dictionary, I finally arrived at Volume I of the Ante-Nicene Fathers which I also found on the Net. While I was reading this last work (which I have not yet finished), I came to realise that there was definitely something lacking in my knowledge of the development of Early Christianity. I didn't want to read a book about that topic, I wanted to read the original sources, so apart from the Bible itself, what else is there? Well the Pseudepigrapha for one! So, I looked at what was on the Net, but decided that the translations there were definitely old and somewhat obsolete, and didn't really have much explanation as to what I would be reading.

This book, on the other hand, contains up-to-date translations of the books of the Pseudipigrapha, which are the work of 24 eminent biblical scholars from various parts of the world, and include detailed explanations of the texts. Volume I contains 19 books of Apocalyptic Literature and related works, as well as the testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, and Adam.

It was worth every penny I paid for it, and it took me over three months to read it. I can truthfully say that I read it from cover to cover, all xlix pages of Introductory material and 995 pages of text, including the small type detailed notes which for some books occupy more space than the text itself.

In an introductory chapter, Dr Charlesworth reviews the definition and importance of the Pseudepigrapha along with significant theological conceptions of the main period in which these books seems to have been written (mainly between 200BCE to 200AD).

Each book is introduced by a discussion of the contents, the original language of the text, the probable date, where it was written, its historical importance, its theological importance, its cultural importance, earlier translations, relationship to other books, and a Select bibliography. The texts themselves contain cross references to other biblical texts as well as copious detailed notes on the text itself. For me, it was as important to read the introductory section and the detailed notes as it was to read the texts themselves.

I have to confess I found it very hard to concentrate on the Books on Enoch, which are the first three books covered, and comprise about one third of the book. They were very repetitive, and mystical to say the least, but after I was over that hurdle the going was easier, and I can honestly say that I was somewhat sorry when I reached the end.

Did it meet my expectations? Yes, definitely. How much have I absorbed? Not as much as I would have liked, but enough to know what to look for when I need a reference guide. And I think I will definitely have a better understanding of the various writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers and their successors.

It's obviously not a book for everyone, but if you wish to read the books of the Pseudepigrapha, I think this book has to be the best of those currently available with its up-to-date translations and comprehensive explanatory notes. I definitely plan to get Volume II.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy Both Volumes!, December 4, 2000

By 

Daniel Cooper (Carrollton, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments (Hardcover)

The Book of Enoch alone makes these books worth having. If you have ever read Jude 6, Gen 6, 1Peter 3:19-20, 2Peter 2:4 and come away with more questions than answers, you need to read the Book of Enoch! Did the essenes and Christian forefathers consider it to be divinely inspired? Hmmm?

Other writings like the Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs and the fragments about Jannes and Jambres are incredibly interesting. These compilations of various writings are extremely well done and without bias. When you're not reading your bible, you'll be reading from these.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispenisble, June 7, 2001

By 

Timothy Dougal (Joliet, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments (Hardcover)

It is impossible to overpraise this book and its companion volume. Not only do they contain just about every pseudepigraphical tract I've seen referred to by authors who have my attention, the introductions are excellent, the translations are in clear, modern English, and for the tremendous amount of information you are getting, reasonably priced. One can only wish that all other books dealing with non-canonical writings were as well done. Take a hint Ante-Nicene Library publishers and others!