Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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!

"The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Volume 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments" contains 27 books: 19 works of apocalyptic literature and 8 testaments, which range from the 2nd century BC to the 9th century AD in their origins, though most are from the first few centuries AD. Twenty-four translators contributed to this volume, working from about a dozen different languages. It's helpful to read the "Introduction for the General Reader" by the editor James H. Charlesworth for his comments on canonicity, definition of "pseudepigrapha", content and theology of the included works, and references to other related works. Between the two volumes in this collection, you are getting most noncanonical writings related to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Those excluded were judged too "far removed from the Old Testament in date and character."

Each book is introduced by its translator, who was asked to include certain types of information: texts, original languages, date, provenence, historical importaince, theological importance, relation to canonical and noncanonical works, cultural importance, about the translation, and a bibliography of selected works on the subject. Some translators have chosen to include less or more information as was appropriate, but these introductions are packed with information that is invaluable in reading the texts themselves. The texts have footnotes and marginal references. The footnotes are extensive in some cases and typically compare different source documents, offer alternative translations, and explain references in the text. Marginal references draw the reader's attention to "significant parallels" in other biblical and apocryphal works.

Both students of Judaism and of early Christianity will find this collection interesting. Some books are strictly Jewish (e.g. 3 Enoch), some are outright Christian (e.g. Vision of Ezra) or Gnostic (e.g. Apocalypse of Adam), but most are Jewish works that were contemporary with early Christianity or were later Christianized and, therefore, of significance to the study of both religions. Even though there are a lot of apocalypses here, the texts are not generally as reactionary as some of those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. They cut a wide swath through ancient Jewish ideologies, from the revolutionary tone of 1 Enoch to the Hellenist universalism of the Testament of Abraham. The only flaw I find is that some of the theories are out of date, having been written in 1983. But the translations are in straightforward English, and the supplementary material is most helpful.

The texts in Volume 1 are: 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, 3 Enoch, Sibylline Oracles (books 1-8, 11-14 + fragments), Treatise of Shem, Apocryphon of Ezekiel (fragments), Apocalypse of Zephaniah (incomplete), 4 Ezra (known by various numbers), Greek Apocalypse of Ezra, Vision of Ezra, Quest of Ezra, Revelation of Ezra, Apocalypse of Sedrach, 2 Baruch, 3 Baruch (parallel Slavonic and Greek versions), Apocalypse of Abraham, Apocalypse of Adam, Apocalypse of Elijah, Apocalypse of Daniel, Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Testament of Job, Testaments of the Three Patriarchs, Testament of Isaac, Testament of Jacob, Testament of Moses, Testament of Solomon, Testament of Adam.

This is an excellent translation of some of the pseudepigraphal writings that didn't quite make it into the modern day canon of scripture. The translations are very well footnoted with alternative explanations or examples from other manuscripts so that the full meanings are not lost. This book is large, so make sure that the binding and the pages are fully attached; mine arrived somewhat detached and for that the book will creak and probably cause some problems later on. I discovered the problem with the book after the full return period had expired. This book also complements volume II very well. With both volumes, the reader should have the majority of the pseudepigrapha for research/enjoyment. See also "The Other Bible" by Willis Barnstone for further abridgement of Gnostic, Kabbalistic, and pseudepigraphal works.

This and volume 2 are the most up-to-date and scholarly collections of extra-canonical Jewish literature of the Second Temple period in English. Any student or scholar of Second Temple Judaism, Historical Jesus, or Early Christianity will find these tomes invaluable. Each work is prefaced, footnoted, and cross-referenced, making them accessable to non-experts, as well as providing extra textual information of rmore advanced scholarship. well worth the money.

I love this book. I am a fundamentalist pentecostal Christian who loves to research extra-biblical writings. I believe the true word of God is the Bible - the apocrypha but still find so much value in reading these historical documents.

This book is great because there is about 4 to 6 pages of information presented about each collection of writings. This would include a full detailed synopsis so you don't actually have to read the actual writings to get all the details covered in them, It mentions the Title of the writing and where it came from, the texts in existence from where the translations come from, where they were found, and the languages they are in, The original languages the writings were written in, the date which they were written and evidences that points to certain dates, the provenance of the writing (Provenance, from the French provenir, "to come from", means the origin, or the source, of something, or the history of the ownership or location of an object), the theological importance of the document, The relation to Canonized books and other apocryphal books, the cultural importance of the book, and a bibliography of all the sources he uses to presume the above.

The book then contains the full text of each of the writings. I will list the titles of the works included as it is important to know these things when picking up collections like this to ensure you are not duplicating anything you may already have in your library.

Volume 1:

APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE AND RELATED WORKS

1 (Ethiopic Apocalypse of) Enoch
2 (Slavonic Apocalypse of) Enoch
3 (Hebrew Apocalypse of) Enoch
Sibylline Oracles
Treatise of Shem
Apocryphon of Ezekiel
Apocalypse of Zephaniah
The Fourth Book of Ezra (4 Ezra)
Greek Apocalypse of Ezra
Vision of Ezra
Questions of Ezra
Revelation of Ezra
Apocalypse of Sedrach
2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch
3 (Greek Apocalypse of) Baruch
Apocalypse of Abraham
Apocalypse of Adam
Apocalypse of Elijah
Apocalypse of Daniel


TESTAMENTS (OFTEN WITH APOCALYPTIC SECTIONS)

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
Testament of Job
Testaments of the Three Patriarchs
Testament of Abraham
Testament of Isaac
Testament of Jacob
Testament of Moses
Testament of Solomon
Testament of Adam


This is for the second book, which is a separate book and purchase, this is a two volume series sold separately.


Volume 2:

EXPANSIONS OF "OLD TESTAMENT" AND LEGENDS

Letter of Aristeas
Jubilees
Maryrdom and Ascension of Isaiah
Joseph and Aseneth
Life of Adam and Eve
Pseudo-Philo
The Lives of the Prophets
Ladder of Jacob
4 Baruch
James and Jambres
History of the Rechabites
Eldad and Modad
History of Joseph


WISDOM AND PHILOSOPHICAL LITERATURE

Ahiqar
3 Maccabees
4 Maccabees
Pseudo-Phocylides
The Sentences of the Syriac Menander


PRAYERS, PSALMS, AND ODES

More Psalms of David
Prayer of Manasseh
Psalms of Solomon
Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers
Prayer of Joseph
Prayer of Jacob
Odes of Solomon


SUPPLEMENT: FRAGMENTS OF LOST JUDEO-HELLENISTIC WORKS

Philo the Epic Poet
Theodotus
Orphica
Ezekiel the Tragedian
Fragments of Pseudo-Greek Poets
Aristobulus
Demetrius the Chronographer
Aristeas ten Exegete
Eupolemus
Pseudo-Eupolemus
Cleodemus
Artapanus
Pseudo-Hecataeus

Several years ago I went through part this massive work by ordering it through interlibrary loan. I am happy to see it back in print, because now I can get my own copy! This is really, really interesting (and weird) stuff, for Jews, Christians, or anyone studying religion. Among the gems are the kabbalistic work "The Sword of Moses" (but you need the Hebrew text in Vol. 3, or a complete edition, to get the whole thing), and the "Testament of Solomon", which tells the story of Solomon's building of the Temple by forcing a variety of demons to do the work. Most works have a preface containing historical information, or an essay analysing the text. This isn't light reading, but it's good reading. Read the original texts and form your own conclusions about what didn't make the final cut of the Old and New Testaments and the Apocrypha.

I love this book. I am a fundamentalist pentecostal Christian who loves to research extra-biblical writings. I believe the true word of God is the Bible - the apocrypha but still find so much value in reading these historical documents.

This book is great because there is about 4 to 6 pages of information presented about each collection of writings. This would include a full detailed synopsis so you don't actually have to read the actual writings to get all the details covered in them, It mentions the Title of the writing and where it came from, the texts in existence from where the translations come from, where they were found, and the languages they are in, The original languages the writings were written in, the date which they were written and evidences that points to certain dates, the provenance of the writing (Provenance, from the French provenir, "to come from", means the origin, or the source, of something, or the history of the ownership or location of an object), the theological importance of the document, The relation to Canonized books and other apocryphal books, the cultural importance of the book, and a bibliography of all the sources he uses to presume the above.

The book then contains the full text of each of the writings. I will list the titles of the works included as it is important to know these things when picking up collections like this to ensure you are not duplicating anything you may already have in your library.

Volume 1:

APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE AND RELATED WORKS

1 (Ethiopic Apocalypse of) Enoch
2 (Slavonic Apocalypse of) Enoch
3 (Hebrew Apocalypse of) Enoch
Sibylline Oracles
Treatise of Shem
Apocryphon of Ezekiel
Apocalypse of Zephaniah
The Fourth Book of Ezra (4 Ezra)
Greek Apocalypse of Ezra
Vision of Ezra
Questions of Ezra
Revelation of Ezra
Apocalypse of Sedrach
2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch
3 (Greek Apocalypse of) Baruch
Apocalypse of Abraham
Apocalypse of Adam
Apocalypse of Elijah
Apocalypse of Daniel


TESTAMENTS (OFTEN WITH APOCALYPTIC SECTIONS)

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
Testament of Job
Testaments of the Three Patriarchs
Testament of Abraham
Testament of Isaac
Testament of Jacob
Testament of Moses
Testament of Solomon
Testament of Adam


This is for the second book, which is a separate book and purchase, this is a two volume series sold separately.


Volume 2:

EXPANSIONS OF "OLD TESTAMENT" AND LEGENDS

Letter of Aristeas
Jubilees
Maryrdom and Ascension of Isaiah
Joseph and Aseneth
Life of Adam and Eve
Pseudo-Philo
The Lives of the Prophets
Ladder of Jacob
4 Baruch
James and Jambres
History of the Rechabites
Eldad and Modad
History of Joseph


WISDOM AND PHILOSOPHICAL LITERATURE

Ahiqar
3 Maccabees
4 Maccabees
Pseudo-Phocylides
The Sentences of the Syriac Menander


PRAYERS, PSALMS, AND ODES

More Psalms of David
Prayer of Manasseh
Psalms of Solomon
Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers
Prayer of Joseph
Prayer of Jacob
Odes of Solomon


SUPPLEMENT: FRAGMENTS OF LOST JUDEO-HELLENISTIC WORKS

Philo the Epic Poet
Theodotus
Orphica
Ezekiel the Tragedian
Fragments of Pseudo-Greek Poets
Aristobulus
Demetrius the Chronographer
Aristeas ten Exegete
Eupolemus
Pseudo-Eupolemus
Cleodemus
Artapanus
Pseudo-Hecataeus

Some of the best literature, whether divinely inspired or not, has long been lost to the world, too often for political ends. Fortunately, volumes like this one, admirably edited by James H. Charlesworth, replenish much of what was "lost" between the time of the Councils at Jamina and Nicaea.

Whatever one's creed or intentions, if one approaches this volume in earnest, one will find much of interest including, but not limited to, strong, implied historical evidence of egregious tampering by the early Church fathers of certain non-canonical works. A good example in this collection is 1 Enoch, which had been in the canon for centuries before being finally removed and, in the West, abandoned. In other instances, copies were, on Church orders, simply destroyed. Fortunately, complete copies of Enoch (or Henok) were preserved in Ethopic texts. In fact, the version of 1 Enoch presented in this volume (translated by E. Isaac) is largely structured on the Ethiopic texts, though the Aramaic fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls have been consulted along with Greek and Hebrew renditions. Charlesworth has also included many other fine renditions of apocalyptic works, including selections from the Syriac and Slavonian. Even more is to be had in the many non-canonical Testaments presented here, many with apocalyptic passages.

Matters of whether these "rebel" and "outcast" books appeared to be divinely inspired by the various communities that embraced them is a matter of conjecture, though there are strong hints here and there from the various communities of seekers that preserved these texts around the Mediterranean world. Of greater interest to me was the thoroughness with which each non-canonical text has been researched and translated. Charlesworth should be lauded for at least that contribution to our body of collective knowledge about what was being written and by whom at the end of the pre-Christian era and in the early years of the Common Era.

To the truly curious I recommend both volumes, whether for personal enrichment, Bible study, research, or tasting and comparing various translations of non-canonical literature. This is as unbiased a compilation as I have seen in many years. I rank it with the work being done by scholars like Geza Vermes as invaluable to any person seeking a deeper understanding of the great minds on either side of that turbulent millennium (i.e., give or take 300-500 years either way). Of course these writings can lead one's mind to many other insights and down many other paths of inquiry and thought; that is best left for the individual.

Be assured that this scholarly work is exactly that, and is not only highly-informative about the stories, symbols and myths of non-canonical literature that informed the consciousness of the Near East and eventually the Western world, but this volume does so in a highly accessible way. It is easy to read and certainly gives one pause. Savor it.