Chapter II: Preface

Signs have not been wanting during the last few years of an increasing interest both in what is called the “Apocrypha” as well as in the body of literature, mainly of an apocalyptic character, which goes under the name of the “Pseudepigrapha.”

Notable among these signs are two of an outstanding character. The founding of the “International Society for the Promoting of the Study of the Apocrypha” was an important event in this connection; the founder, the Rev. Herbert Pentin, is to be sincerely congratulated on the success with which his efforts have been crowned; the support accorded by many of our leading scholars has doubtless been very gratifying to him. Few things have done more to foster interest in the subjects which the Society has at heart than the publication of its quarterly journal, _The International Journal of Apocrypha_. This magazine makes its appeal to all grades of readers; and if the greater stress is laid upon the popular side, the editor has his good reasons for this, for it is the general reader who does not yet understand that the “Apocrypha” and the “Pseudepigrapha” together form an indispensable link between the Old and New Testaments.

The second outstanding sign was the publication last year by the Oxford University Press of the two sumptuous volumes entitled _The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament in English_, with introductions and critical and explanatory notes to the several books, edited, in conjunction with many scholars, by R. H. Charles, Litt.D., D.D. This is the most elaborate thing of the kind ever published in any country, and the debt to Canon Charles owed by all lovers of learning is great indeed. The volumes appeal primarily to the scholar, though the general reader will find in them a very great deal which he will be able to appreciate. The drawback, for most people, is their expense, obviously inevitable; it is, therefore, the more to be regretted that the University Press could not see its way to publish the various books in separate, as well as in their collective, form.

Signs such as these are full of promise, and the growing interest which they betoken is very welcome.

The present writer, as one of the Wardens of the afore-mentioned Society, and as one of Canon Charles’ fellow-labourers in the work just referred to, has been emboldened to write the following pages with the object of pressing home the importance of one department of the subject as a whole (though without wholly losing sight of the other), viz., the “Apocrypha,” and, more especially, what is involved by the study of this. The very unfortunate title which has clung to this body of literature since the days of St. Jerome, largely accounts for the attitude of suspicion with which it is often regarded; but when once it is realized that the term “Apocrypha,” as applied to these books, does not correspond to what is nowadays understood by the word “apocryphal,” this attitude of suspicion will disappear.

The study of these books opens up various questions which demand consideration; so much so, that the student soon comes to realize that important as the study of the Apocrypha is, more important still is that which this study involves. The book here presented is intended to illustrate this; with the result that Part I (“Prolegomena”) occupies considerably more space than Part II, which is devoted to the books of the Apocrypha themselves. There is, however, no reason to offer any apology for this, as the Introductory Note to the “Prolegomena” will show.

For the rest, the book, though primarily intended for the intelligent general reader, may in some parts, it is hoped, be of interest to scholars. It was originally intended to be a contribution to “The Library of Historic Theology”; but the writer soon realized that the scope of the subject would necessitate a larger volume than the publishers thought desirable for this Series; they, therefore, decided to publish it separately.

The writer desires to express his sincere thanks to the Rev. Wm. C. Piercy for having read carefully through the book in manuscript as well as in proof, and for having offered many valuable suggestions.

W. O. E. OESTERLEY.

HATCH END, 1914.

CONTENTS

PAGE
INTRODUCTORY 1

_PART I_

PROLEGOMENA TO THE APOCRYPHA

CHAPTER I

THE HELLENISTIC MOVEMENT 11

I. Hellenism in its Secular Aspect 12

II. Hellenism in its Religious Aspect 20

Summary 24

CHAPTER II

HELLENISTIC INFLUENCE UPON THE JEWS OF PALESTINE 27

I. Hellenism and Judaism 27

II. The Essenes 41

Summary 46

CHAPTER III

HELLENISTIC INFLUENCE UPON THE JEWS OF THE DISPERSION 49

I. The Dispersion 49

II. Hellenistic Influence on Religion 54

III. The Septuagint 58

IV. Philo of Alexandria 61

Summary 65

CHAPTER IV

TRACES OF GREEK INFLUENCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND IN
THE APOCRYPHA 68

I. References to the Greeks in the Old Testament 68

II. Traces of Greek Influence in the Old Testament 70

III. Traces of Greek Influence in the Apocrypha 77

Ecclesiasticus 77

Wisdom:

(_a_) The doctrine of the pre-existence of the soul 80

(_b_) The doctrine of immortality 83

(_c_) The doctrine of the badness of the body 84

(_d_) The creation of the world out of formless
matter 85

(_e_) Signs of the influence of Stoic philosophy 86

Summary 87

CHAPTER V

THE APOCALYPTIC MOVEMENT 90

I. The Beginnings of the Apocalyptic Movement 90

II. The Apocalyptists 95

III. The Doctrinal Teaching of the Apocalyptic Literature 101

(_a_) Individualism 102

(_b_) Particularism and Universalism 103

(_c_) The doctrine of the Messiah 105

(_d_) The doctrine of the Future Life 107

Summary 111

CHAPTER VI

THE SCRIBES 113

(_a_) The Old Testament _data_ 113

(_b_) The Apocrypha _data_ 123

(_c_) Some further particulars 126

Summary 127