| I Esdras (The "Greek Ezra") (page133) | II Esdras (The "Ezra Apocalypse") (142) | Tobit (161) |
| Judith (172) | Esther Additions (183) | Wisdom of Solomon (196) |
| Ecclesiasticus (222) | Baruch (256) | The Epistle of Jeremy (268) |
| The Song of the Holy Children (272) | Susanna (280) | Bel & the Dragon (287) |
| The Prayer of Manasses (294) | I Maccabees (300) | II Maccabees (315) |
This book is in no sense a new edition of The Books of the Apocrypha: their
Origin, Teaching and Contents (1914).
It is from beginning to end a new and wholly independent work.
Since the earlier volume appeared, twenty-one years ago, much new literature
on the Apocrypha generally, and on its individual books, has been published.
And the present writer has had, during these years, opportunities for studying
a good deal, at any rate, of this new material, besides paying attention
to the older literature.
It may, therefore, be hoped that this book will be found to be a considerable
improvement on the former.
The work consists of two parts, the earlier of which is perhaps the more important, as it deals with subjects of wider interest than the necessarily more technical introductions to the several books.
Part I -
Prolegomena to the Apocrypha -
has for its object to show the interest and importance of this neglected
body of literature from the literary, historical, doctrinal, and New Testament
points of view.
Part II
deals with the usual subjects of introduction necessary for the study of
the individual books.
That my friend Theodore Robinson has not seen his way to collaborate with
me in this work is a matter of much regret to me.
I had hoped that he would have done so.
But he pleaded that inasmuch as during the many years of reading and teaching
in preparation for the books we have written together, he had concentrated
more particularly on the earlier periods of the religion, history, and literature
of the Hebrews, he did not feel competent to deal with the literature belonging
to this late period.
I wish to express my warm thanks to Dr. H. H. Rowley for having read through my manuscript and the proofsheets, and for many valuable suggestions.
It should be added here that the large number of quotations from the books of the Apocrypha given in full, instead of mere references, was thought advisable because most people are less familiar with the text of these than with that of the canonical Scriptures.
The text of the Septuagint used is that of Swete;
but reference should be made also to Rahlfs' edition, which is marvellously
cheap and beautifully produced.
W. O. E. OESTERLEY.
February 1935.