apocrypha








noun (often used with a singular verb)

  1. (initial capital letter) a group of 14 books, not considered canonical, included in the Septuagint and the Vulgate as part of the Old Testament, but usually omitted from Protestant editions of the Bible.
  2. various religious writings of uncertain origin regarded by some as inspired, but rejected by most authorities.
  3. writings, statements, etc., of doubtful authorship or authenticity.Compare canon1(defs 6, 7, 9).

noun the Apocrypha (functioning as singular or plural)

  1. the 14 books included as an appendix to the Old Testament in the Septuagint and the Vulgate but not included in the Hebrew canon. They are not printed in Protestant versions of the Bible
  2. RC Church another name for the Pseudepigrapha

late 14c., neuter plural of Late Latin apocryphus “secret, not approved for public reading,” from Greek apokryphos “hidden; obscure,” thus “(books) of unknown authorship” (especially those included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but not originally written in Hebrew and not counted as genuine by the Jews), from apo- “away” (see apo-) + kryptein “to hide” (see crypt). Properly plural (the single would be Apocryphon or apocryphum), but commonly treated as a collective singular.

Religious writings that have been accepted as books of the Bible (see also Bible) by some groups but not by others. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, includes seven books, such as Judith, I and II Maccabees, and Ecclesiasticus, in the Old Testament that Jews (see also Jews) and Protestants do not consider part of the Bible. Some churches may read the Apocrypha for inspiration but not to establish religious doctrine.

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