The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament in English, Vol 1

by R.H. Charles

s/t: with introductions and critical and explanatory notes to the several books
PREFACE

For students both of the Old and New Testaments the value of the non-Canonical Jewish literature from 200 B.C. to a. d. 100 is practically recognized on every side alike by Jewish and Christian scholars. But hitherto no attempt has been made to issue an edition of this literature as a whole in English.^ Indeed, such an undertaking would have been all but impossible at an earlier date, seeing that critical editions of some of the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha have not been published till within the last few years.

The method observed iii, this work.

In all the contributions one and the same method has been observed. Each contribution consists of an introduction, an English translation from the best critical text—in a few cases the Revised Version has been adopted and emendations suggested in the notes—and of a critical and exegetical commentary.^ As regards the introductions, the subjects dealt with in them have, so far as possible, been treated in the same order to facilitate the use of the work. Though a large discretion has naturally been given to the various editors, the following order has more or less been observed as a guide or been actually carried out.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Religion

1726 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Robert Henry Charles (1855–1931) was an Irish biblical scholar and theologian. He left parochial work in 1889 to devote himself to biblical research and became the greatest authority of his time in matters of Jewish eschatology and apocrypha. He became a canon at Westminster Abbey in 1913 and archdeacon there in 1919. His books include Eschatology (1913, 2nd ed), Between the Old and New Testaments (1914), and his edition of The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament. (1913). He is known particularly for English translations of apocryphal and pseudepigraphal works, and editions including Jubilees (1895), the Book of Enoch (1906), and the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (1908) which have been widely used. Among his other publications are The Apocalypse (1920), Divorce and Nullity (1927), and The Resurrection of Man (1930). He was educated at the Belfast Academy, Queen's College, Belfast and Trinity College, Dublin. He gained a D.D. and became Professor of Biblical Greek at Trinity College.

Reviews

[Erin Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book of Judith was my favorite in this collection of texts. A challenge to work through some of the dryer texts, but interesting to read through nonetheless.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent a year reading through the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha so you won't have to. It is not easy reading, although it is useful for scholars who are interested in Jewish Literature around the time of Christ. Overall, these are dense books that do not make for fascinating reading.

[Brian Koser]

2024
- Wisdom of Solomon