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Praise for The Apocrypha: - Concordia Publishing House PDF

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Preview Praise for The Apocrypha: - Concordia Publishing House

Praise for The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes Scripture in Jesus’ Judaism and in the Early Church included more documents than those found in the Protestant canon. Some of these works, called “Apocrypha” by Protestants and “Deuteron-canonical Works” by Roman Catholics are expertly and attractively collected in The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes. In these writings you will find a deep expression of the need for God’s forgiveness (the Prayer of Manasseh) and a vision of the future with the coming of the Messiah (2 Esdras or Ezra Apocalypse = 4 Ezra). The introductions are superbly well written and engaging. One can see how the Apocrypha . . . bridges the “Old” Testament with the “New” Testament. Highly recommended, as Athanasius said in 367 “for instruction in the word of godliness.” —James H. Charlesworth, PhD Director and Editor, Princeton Dead Sea Scrolls Project George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature Princeton Theological Seminary This book provides a well-balanced blend of sound scholarship and religious beliefs on the Apocrypha, especially those of Luther and the Lutherans. The reader will find all the necessary background infor- mation on the Apocrypha in an attractive presentation, as well as religious guidance for instruction and preaching. A wealth of introductory essays and appendices make this a very useful compendium. —Prof. Emanuel Tov, PhD J. L. Magnes Professor of Bible Hebrew University, Jerusalem Concordia Publishing House, General editor Edward Engelbrecht, and the several contributing edi- tors have placed Bible scholars and students in their debt by bringing out a new and updated version of The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes. The introduction includes explanation of what the books of the Apocrypha are, what their value is, and a concise overview of history from Persian rule to Roman rule. Next come judicious commentaries on the several books of the Apocrypha, followed by ten appendices that provide readers with additional related information concerning such things as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the writings of Josephus, rabbinic literature, and New Testament Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha. What a treasure trove! This marvelous commentary belongs in the study of every student and scholar of the Bible. —Rev. Craig A. Evans, PhD Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. Luther recommended the Apocrypha as books that are not regarded as equal to the Holy Scripture, and yet are profitable and good to read. Lutheran piety up to now seems to have remembered just the first part of this statement and did not very often exercise itself in the profitable reading. This present edition gives us occasion to get a fresh approach to books like Wisdom of Solomon, Maccabees, and others. Accompanied with quotations mainly from Luther and John Gerhard, and useful explanations, the reader may gain a deeply spiritual approach to the Apocrypha and explore anew these treasures of the Lutheran faith! —Prof. Dr. Volker Leppin Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany I recommend this edition of the Apocrypha as a timely and useful addition to The Lutheran Study Bible. The Apocrypha have been considered as a part of the biblical canon for most of the church’s his- tory, and while the Reformers may have had good reasons for thinking differently, they still had a high regard for them. This edition enables both scholars and lay readers to understand why. —Knut Alfsvåg, ThD Professor of Systematic Theology School of Mission and Theology, Stavanger, Norway The books of the Apocrypha are absolutely essential for understanding the Jewish context of early Christianity. The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes is an outstanding work of scholarship that provides a welcome service to Lutherans and, indeed, to Christians of other traditions interested in reading and studying these fascinating and often entertaining writings, which the great Luther himself deemed “useful and good to read.” A thoughtfully edited and attractively produced volume, it includes many unique features and has the fullest annotations of any comparable study edition. In all, this is a monumental achievement and valuable resource for scholars, students, and lay people alike. —Daniel C. Harlow, PhD Professor of Religion, Calvin College Editor, The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism One of the great rewards of biblical study is an increased awareness of the historical and cultural set- ting in which the Scriptures were written. In The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition with Notes, Editor Engelbrecht and his team of contributors has provided an attractive and accessible overview of one of the most interesting periods in the Bible’s history, namely, the Intertestamental or Second Temple Period. It was during this time that the Old Testament was completed and the New Testament was on the threshold of emerging. Succinct introductions with helpful maps and diagrams enrich the presen- tation. A distinctive strength is the churchly and confessional assessment from a Lutheran perspective that provides a framework for the historical material—a significant contribution that lifts the reader beyond the merely academic. —Rev. Dean O. Wenthe, PhD General Editor, Concordia Commentary Professor and President Emeritus, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. Martin Luther commented that the Apocrypha “were not equal to scripture, yet useful and good to read.” This volume helpfully guides the reader in exploring how and why this is so. Useful histori- cal explanations, wisely chosen excerpts from the prefaces of the apocryphal books by Luther and Gerhard, helpful textual explanations and charts, and wise advice on the challenges and blessings for readers make this edition of the Apocrypha shine. This is a delightful study resource and devotional guide to complement one’s reading of Scripture. —Rev. Gordon A. Jensen, PhD William Hordern Professor of Theology Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, Canada Love stories. War stories. Sage wisdom and end time visions. The Apocrypha is chock-full of indis- pensable historical, theological, and practical information for gaining a rich understanding of the New Testament world. This excellent study edition will make reading the Apocrypha enjoyable, whether in college and seminary classrooms, church groups, or individual studies. Each book is accompanied by maps, well-placed illustrations, beneficial charts, and informative study notes; the edition even begins with overviews of history and theology. Ostensibly for Lutherans, this edition will benefit anyone who wants to learn how Israel formed Judaism and how Judaism gave birth to Christianity. —John R. (Jack) Levison, PhD Professor of New Testament Seattle Pacific University Author of Filled with the Spirit (Eerdmans, 2009) Martin Luther declared the books of the Old Testament Apocrypha to be “useful and good to read.” At about the same time, the Lutheran Confessions twice engage texts from the Apocrypha, and they do so with a theological seriousness befitting its status. For today’s student of the Bible, the books of the Apocrypha also provide indispensable background for a historically and theologically informed reading of God’s New Testament revelation, centering in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This fine new Concordia edition, with its thorough introductory materials and notes, is one important means to that sanctified end. —David A. Lumpp, PhD Professor of Theology Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota All Lutheran students of the Bible and the Early Church should welcome this useful study tool. The Apocrypha have too long been “hidden” from view to modern Lutherans. Like other non-canonical works from the early centuries, they still enlighten us on the religious, social, and political world into which the Savior was born and which was the seedbed for the Church’s early growth. The introductory essays, charts, and wealth of background material make this a one-stop resource for these oft-ignored early writings. —Glen L. Thompson, PhD Professor of New Testament and Historical Theology Asia Lutheran Seminary (Hong Kong) The publication of a Lutheran edition of the Apocrypha is a milestone in ecumenical biblical schol- arship. The historical and philological scholarship is of a high standard. The attention paid to this material in an explicitly Protestant publication project shows that old Catholic-Protestant disputes about the canon have lost their relevance in the twenty-first century. As Luther himself said of the Apocrypha, this book is good to read. —John J. Collins, PhD Holmes Professor of Old Testament Yale Divinity School © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. ALSO FROM CONCORDIA Biblical Studies Hebrew and Greek Studies The Lutheran Study Bible Fundamental Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic Edward A. Engelbrecht, General Editor Also available: Workbook and Supplemen- tary Exercises for Fundamental Biblical The Reformation Heritage Bible Hebrew and Aramaic Commentary Series Andrew H. Bartelt and Andrew E. Colossians/Thessalonians, Edward A. Steinmann Engelbrecht and Paul Deterding Revelation, Mark Brighton (forthcoming Intermediate Biblical Hebrew: A Reference December 2012) Grammar with Charts and Exercises Galatians/Ephesians/Philippians, Andrew E. Steinmann Jerald C. Joersz (forthcoming April 2013) Concordia Hebrew Reader: Ruth Concordia Commentary Series: A John R. Wilch Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture Leviticus, John W. Kleinig Fundamental Greek Grammar Joshua, Adolph L. Harstad James W. Voelz Ruth, John R. Wilch Ezra and Nehemiah, Andrew E. Steinmann Religion and Resistance in Early Judaism: Proverbs, Andrew E. Steinmann Greek Readings in 1 Maccabees and Josephus Ecclesiastes, James Bollhagen John G. Nordling The Song of Songs, Christopher W. Mitchell Isaiah 40–55, R. Reed Lessing Historical Studies Ezekiel 1–20, Horace D. Hummel From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology Ezekiel 21–48, Horace D. Hummel Andrew E. Steinmann Daniel, Andrew E. Steinmann Amos, R. Reed Lessing The Church from Age to Age: A History from Jonah, R. Reed Lessing Galilee to Global Christianity Matthew 1:1–11:1, Jeffrey A. Gibbs Edward A. Engelbrecht, General Editor Matthew 11:2–20:34, Jeffrey A. Gibbs Luke 1:1–9:50, Arthur A. Just Jr. History of Theology, 4th Rev. Ed. Luke 9:51–24:53, Arthur A. Just Jr. Bengt Hägglund Romans 1–8, Michael Middendorf (forth- coming May 2013) 1 Corinthians, Gregory J. Lockwood Colossians, Paul E. Deterding Philemon, John G. Nordling 2 Peter and Jude, Curtis P. Giese 1–3 John, Bruce G. Schuchard Revelation, Louis A. Brighton © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. THE A P O C R Y P H A THE LUTHERAN EDITION WITH NOTES English Standard Version Including books of the Apocrypha appearing in the German Luther Bible, Lutheran Editions of the Vulgate, and the King James Tradition General Editor Edward A. Engelbrecht Foreword by Paul L. Maier I know that the church retains this book [of the Apocrypha] as I just said, but the church is not able to grant more authority or strength to a book than the book has on its own. — Martin Luther Dispute with John Eck, 1519 (WA 59:529) © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. Copyright © 2012 Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118-3968 1-800-325-3040 • www.cph.org All rights reserved. Except as noted below, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmit- ted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permis- sion of Concordia Publishing House. The Apocrypha is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible and Apocrypha, copyright © 2009 by Oxford University Press, Inc., New York, NY 10016. All rights reserved. The Apocrypha text appearing in this publication is reproduced and published in cooperation between Oxford University Press and Concordia Publishing House. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. Scriptures quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. The ESV text may be quoted (in written, visual, or electronic form) up to and inclusive of one thousand (1,000) verses without express written permission of the publisher, providing that the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for 50 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. The ESV may be quoted for audio use (audio cassettes, CDs, audio television) up to two hundred fifty (250) verses without express written permission of the publisher, providing that the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible, nor do the verses quoted account for 50 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. Notice of the copyright must appear as follows on the title page or copyright page of printed works quoting from the ESV, or in a corresponding location when the ESV is quoted in other media: “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” When more than one translation is quoted in printed works or another media, the foregoing notice of copyright should begin as follows: “Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriptures are from . . . [etc.]”; or, “Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from . . . [etc.].” The “ESV” and “English Standard Version” are trademarks of Crossway. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Crossway. When quotations from the ESV text are used in non-saleable media, such as church bulletins, orders of services, posters, transpar- encies, or similar media, a complete copyright notice is not required but the initials (ESV) must appear at the end of a quotation. Publication of any commentary or other biblical reference work produced for commercial sale that uses the English Standard Ver- sion must include written permission for the use of the ESV text. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) and the Apocrypha are adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible and the Apocrypha, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Several articles were adapted from The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis: Concordia, 2009) and Raymond F. Surburg, Introduction to the Intertestamental Period (St. Louis: Concordia, 1975). The quotations from the Lutheran Confessions are from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, second edition; edited by Paul McCain, et al., copyright © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Brackets from Concordia. Catechism quotations are taken from Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, copyright © 1986, 1991 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Quotations marked AE Vols. 1–30 are from Luther’s Works, American Edition © Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Quotations marked AE Vols. 31–55 are from Luther’s Works, American Edition © Fortress Press. Used with permission of Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. Contents FRONT MATTER THE APOCRYPHA Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi The Arrangement of Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii Title Variations for Apocryphal Books . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xv The Engravings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix The Compositions Editor’s Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi Judith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Preface to the ESV Apocrypha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxv The Wisdom of Solomon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Features of The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition Tobit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 with Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxxvi Ecclesiasticus (Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach) . . . . .73 Reading Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxviii Baruch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142 The Letter of Jeremiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 An Introduction to the Apocrypha and the Time Between the Testaments The Histories Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxxiii 1 Maccabees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156 The Holy Scripture 2 Maccabees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197 and Other Ancient Writings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxxv The Apocrypha The Additions in Modern Bible Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . xxxix Old Greek Esther . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227 The Historical Setting of the Apocrypha . . . . . .xliii Susanna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv Bel and the Dragon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246 The Judeans under Persian Rule The Prayers and Songs (538–330 BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xlvii The Prayer of Azariah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250 The Judeans and Alexander the Great The Song of the Three Holy Children . . . . . . . . . .250 (334–323 BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lv The Prayer of Manasseh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256 Divided Rule: The Judeans under the Ptolemies (323–181 BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lix The Apocryphal Books Divided Rule: The Judeans under the in Other Christian Traditions Seleucids (311–164 BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lxv Other Books of the Apocrypha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261 The Judeans under the Maccabees Canonicity and Use of the Apocrypha . . . . . . . .262 (164–134 BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lxxi The Apocrypha and the Old Testament The Judeans under the Hasmoneans Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265 (134–63 BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lxxvii The Apocrypha and the New Testament . . . . . .267 The Judeans under the Romans 1 Esdras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269 (63 BC–AD 135) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lxxxi 2 Esdras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282 Theological Teachings of the Time between 3 Maccabees (Ptolemaika) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 the Testaments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xci 4 Maccabees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318 Psalm 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331 © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. APPENDICES REFERENCE GUIDE Appendix 1: The Elephantine Papyri . . . . . . . . . . .334 Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360 Appendix 2: The Cairo Genizah Documents . . . . .335 Transliteration Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363 Appendix 3: The Dead Sea Scrolls . . . . . . . . . . . . .336 Articles and Charts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364 Appendix 4: Discoveries of Other Early Jewish Weights and Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365 Manuscripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338 Persons and Groups Appendix 5: Philo and His Writings . . . . . . . . . . . .340 in the Apocrypha and Early Judaism . . . . . . . . . . .366 Appendix 6: Josephus and His Writings . . . . . . . . .346 Key Terms and Phrases in the Apocrypha . . . . . . .370 Appendix 7: The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha . .352 The Offerings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381 Appendix 8: Rabbinic Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354 Old Testament and Jewish Feasts . . . . . . . . . . . . .383 Appendix 9: New Testament Apocrypha or Names for God in the Apocrypha . . . . . . . . . . . . .384 Pseudepigrapha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356 The Apocrypha in Lutheran Worship . . . . . . . . . .387 Appendix 10: The Nag Hammadi Codices . . . . . . .357 Assumed Settings for Apocryphal Books . . . . . . . .389 Map List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390 Place-Names of the Apocrypha and Ancient Empires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391 Apocrypha Chronology and World History . . . . . .394 Apocrypha Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .406 © 2012 Concordia Publishing House. Contributors Portions of this book are drawn from the histories published by Raymond F. Surburg (1909–2001) and an article by Edwin Cone Bissell (1832–94). Their work was edited or updated to serve current readers. Lutheran writers of notes and articles include the following: Rev. Dr. Mark Brighton Rev. Dr. Lane A. Burgland Rev. Heath R. Curtis Rev. Dr. Paul E. Deterding Vicar Gary L. Dunker Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht Rev. Dr. Mark J. Lenz Rev. Dr. Timothy H. Maschke Rev. Dr. Daniel E. Paavola Rev. Dr. Jason R. Soenksen Rev. Dr. Robert A. Sorensen Rev. Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann Rev. Dr. Karl A. Weber Rev. William C. Weedon We are also grateful to include “The Apocrypha and the Old Testament Scriptures” as well as “The Apocrypha and the New Testament,” prepared by a member of the ESV Translation Committee of the Apocryphal Books: Dr. David A. deSilva, Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary. © 2012 Concordia Publishing House.

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(the Prayer of Manasseh) and a vision of the future with the coming of the Messiah (2 Esdras or Ezra. Apocalypse = 4 Ezra). The introductions are superbly well
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