This comprehensive introduction to the Old Testament apocryphal books has become a standard authority on the topic. The new edition has been substantially revised and updated throughout to reflect the latest scholarship.  
  
"David deSilva's Introducing the Apocrypha remains the best book in the field. These important writings are placed in full context--historically, religiously, and literarily. Again and again deSilva shows how the books of the Apocrypha clarify important themes and traditions in the teaching of Jesus and in the literature of the early church. The revised edition is rich with insight and will serve well a new generation of students and scholars."  
\--__Craig A. Evans__, Houston Baptist University  
  
"DeSilva offers a readable and competent introduction to these complex and neglected writings. This is the best one-volume introduction to the apocryphal, or deuterocanonical, books currently available in English."  
\--__Jeremy Corley__, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, Ireland  
  
"For most Christians today the Apocrypha remain a marginal curiosity or object of suspicion. Informed by burgeoning scholarship in the study of early Judaism, the second edition of deSilva's engaging volume, Introducing the Apocrypha, reveals these books as vibrant witnesses to streams of thought, tradition, and faith that formed a theological and cultural matrix for the earliest church. Throughout, deSilva's fine introduction balances nuance and precision with clarity and accessibility."  
\--__Anathea Portier Young__, Duke Divinity School  
  
"An excellent introduction to the Apocrypha that is fully informed by contemporary scholarship and written in a style that is readable and accessible to laity and beginning students. Introduction to the Apocrypha also provides a substantial discussion of the content of these books and a better indication of their literary character than one usually finds in an introductory textbook. It can be recommended without reservation for students at all levels."  
\--__John J. Collins__, Yale University Divinity School  
  
"Jews and Christians who wish to learn about their ancient roots need to know about--indeed read--the so-called apocryphal books. . . . Introducing the Apocrypha is the best introduction to this ancient corpus."  
\--__James H. Charlesworth__, Princeton Theological Seminary (from the foreword)

__David A. deSilva__ (PhD, Emory University) is Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He is the bestselling author of more than 25 books, including An Introduction to the New Testament, and has been involved in several major Bible translation projects.

This comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament apocryphal books summarizes their context, message, and significance. The first edition has been very well reviewed and widely adopted. It is the most substantial introduction to the Apocrypha available and has become a standard authority on the topic. The second edition has been substantially revised and updated throughout to reflect the latest scholarship. The book includes a foreword by James H. Charlesworth.

This comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament apocryphal books summarizes their context, message, and significance. Now substantially revised and updated throughout.

__Contents__ Foreword by James H. Charlesworth  
Preface to the Second Edition  
Preface to the First Edition  
1. Introduction: The Value of the Apocrypha  
2. Historical Context: "The Yoke of the Gentiles"  
3. Tobit: "Better Is Almsgiving with Justice"  
4. Judith: "Hear Me Also, a Widow"  
5. Greek Esther: "The Aid of the All-Seeing God and Savior"  
6. Wisdom of Solomon: "The Righteous Live Forever"  
7. Wisdom of Ben Sira: "In All Wisdom There Is the Doing of Torah"  
8. Baruch: "Return with Tenfold Zeal to Seek God"  
9. Letter of Jeremiah: "They Are Not Gods, So Do Not Fear Them"  
10. Additions to Daniel: "Let Them Know That You Alone Are God"  
11. 1 Maccabees: "The Family through Which Deliverance Was Given"  
12. 2 Maccabees: "There Is Some Power of God about the Place"  
13. 1 Esdras: "Leave to Us a Root and a Name"  
14. Prayer of Manasseh: "The God of Those Who Repent"  
15. Psalm 151: "He Made Me Shepherd of His Flock"  
16. 3 Maccabees: "Blessed Be the Deliverer of Israel!"  
17. 2 Esdras: "The Mighty One Has Not Forgotten"  
18. 4 Maccabees: "Noble Is the Contest"  
Indexes

deSilva, David A.

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Foreword

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Abbreviations

1. Introduction

2. Historical Context

3. Tobit

4. Judith

5. Greek Esther

6. Wisdom of Solomon

7. Wisdom of Ben Sira

8. Baruch

9. Letter of Jeremiah

10. Additions to Daniel

11. 1 Maccabees

12. 2 Maccabees

13. 1 Esdras

14. Prayer of Manasseh

15. Psalm 151

16. 3 Maccabees

17. 2 Esdras

18. 4 Maccabees

Bibliographies

Works Cited

Scripture Index

Ancient Writings Index

Author Index

Subject Index

Back Cover

\["For readers interested in the Apocrypha","The introduction unearths the contexts of the Apocrypha in a reliable way","You'll be equipped to dig deeper into these powerful books"\]

Whether you are taking your first steps or broadening your horizons in understanding the Apocrypha, this introduction brings key scholars together to open up its contexts and meanings.

Introducing the Apocrypha

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Introducing the Apocrypha

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