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apocrypha
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Definition:
This comes from the Greek apokruphos, which means secret or hidden. It refers to a collection of Biblical books which appear in the Catholic version of the Bible, but which do not also appear in the Hebrew collection.

Because of this discrepancy, Luther removed them when he translated the Bible into German. Thus, Protestant versions of the Bible all lack these books:

  • Tobit
  • Judith
  • I Maccabees
  • II Maccabees
  • Wisdom of Solomon
  • Ecclesiasticus
  • Baruch

Also Known As: none

Alternate Spellings: none

Common Misspellings: none

Related Resources:

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What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.

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Bible FAQ
The "Bible" is a central feature in the religious beliefs and devotions of most Christians - and a major portion of it, known as the "Old Testament," is important to Jews. Muslims, whose holy scriptures are collected in the Qur'an, also revere the Bible. But just what is the Bible? What is contained in it, where did it come from, and how reliable is it? This developing FAQ will present historical and critical information about the Bible and biblical scholarship.

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