The Role and Significance of the Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible
Literally meaning "the second canon", the Deuterocanonical books (sometimes referred
to as apocryphals) refer to Jewish literature that do not belong to the 24 books of the Biblical
canon of the Hebrew Scriptures (Pace, 2016). They are mainly accepted in the Catholic tradition
and in the Orthodox tradition (anagignoskomena). Nevertheless, its acceptance in other
Christian traditions is controversial as they argue the deuterocanonicals are not inspired by the
Holy Spirit.
Historically, the deuterocanonicals are written between 300BC and 100AD, which places
it just around the life of Christ and between the events of the Old and New Testaments. They
are mostly found in manuscripts as cited often by Church Fathers such as Clement of Rome,
Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and others. And while the canon of the Bible was essentially
defined by the 4th Century BC, there were disputes as to what is to be added and what is to be
removed. During the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther, he dropped the
deuterocanonical books on the grounds that they were not inspired, hence the absence of these
books in the Protestant tradition. Nevertheless, after Luther died in 1546, the Council of Trent
upheld the status of the deuterocanonical books as divinely inspired books of the biblical canon.
Theologically, the Deuterocanonicals points out to Catholic teachings that may not have
been cited in the Bible as they are cited by the Church Fathers from other sources.
Furthermore, understanding the historicity of the Word of God helps in understanding how such
faith develops from one tradition to another.
This is the same as its cultural significance. By understanding how the people of the
New Testament understand the Old Testament teachings, there is a glimpse of how and why
Jesus said what he said and did what he did. This also gives context to how and why the
Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) used their respective writing styles to expound the
salvation history through the life of Christ.
Here are the individual historical, theological, and cultural significance of these
apocryphal books:
1. The Book of Judith
Historical Context
● Setting: Late second century or early first century B.C.
● Background: Jewish people were threatened by Assyrian forces under King
Nebuchadnezzar.
Theological Themes
● Divine Deliverance: God saves His people through unexpected means.
● Faith vs. Despair: Judith contrasts her faith with the despair of her fellow citizens.
● Role of Women: Elevates women's roles in biblical history, showcasing Judith as a
courageous heroine.
Cultural Impact
● Artistic Inspiration: Influenced countless works of art and theological discussions.
● Liturgical Use: Integrated into Jewish celebrations like Passover, symbolizing liberation.
2. The Book of Tobit
● Tobit suffers a series of misfortunes, including blindness and poverty, leading him to
despair and pray for death.Tobit sends his son Tobias to collect a debt in Media. Guided
by the disguised angel Raphael, Tobias overcomes obstacles, marries Sarah (who has
been plagued by a demon), and returns with the money. He uses a fish's gall to
miraculously cure his father's blindness. The story emphasizes God's providence, the
role of angels in human affairs, and the importance of faith, charity, and obedience to
God's law.
Historical Context:
● Setting: 3rd or early 2nd century BCE
● Background: How God tests the faithful, responds to prayers and the covenant
community.
Theological Themes
● Divine Providence and Faithfulness: The narrative emphasizes that God tests the
faithful, responds to prayers, and protects the covenant community. Tobit and Sarah,
despite their suffering, remain devout, and their perseverance is ultimately rewarded by
divine intervention through the archangel Raphael.
● Almsgiving and Righteousness: Tobit's dedication to burying the dead and giving alms
underscores the importance of charity and adherence to religious laws. These acts are
portrayed as integral to living a righteous life, reflecting the text's emphasis on social
justice and compassion.
● Marriage and Family: The union of Tobias and Sarah highlights themes of faith, love, and
divine guidance in marital relationships. Their story illustrates the sanctity of marriage
and the belief that adherence to divine instructions leads to blessings and protection.
Cultural Impact:
● The story of Tobias and the Angel has been a popular subject in European art,
symbolizing themes of guidance and divine assistance. Artists like Rembrandt have
created notable works inspired by this narrative.
● In terms of liturgical use, various Christian traditions, readings from the Book of Tobit are
incorporated into wedding ceremonies, emphasizing the themes of marital fidelity and
divine guidance present in the text
3. The Wisdom of Solomon
● Wisdom, personified as a guiding and protective force, speaks to the people, offering
them insight and understanding. She teaches that the righteous, though they may suffer
in this world, will be rewarded with eternal life, while the wicked will face divine judgment.
Wisdom, which is deeply connected to God’s will, assists the righteous by providing
them with knowledge that leads to moral and spiritual victory. As the narrative unfolds,
Wisdom helps the righteous understand the world’s injustices, offering them hope for
ultimate vindication. Though the wicked may seem to triumph temporarily, it is Wisdom
who ultimately ensures that divine justice prevails, leading to the defeat of evil and the
salvation of the righteous. Those who seek Wisdom will be protected, and through her,
they will find guidance toward eternal life.
Historical Context
● Setting: It is believed to have been written in the late 1st century BCE or early 1st
century CE, during the Hellenistic period when Jewish culture was influenced by Greek
thought.
● Background: The book is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, though it is likely
written by a Jewish author in Egypt, possibly Alexandria. It reflects a blend of Jewish
faith and Hellenistic philosophy, especially the ideas of Greek wisdom literature. The text
discusses themes of wisdom, justice, and the fate of the righteous and the wicked, and it
portrays wisdom as a divine force with the power to guide human affairs.
Theological Themes
● Nature of Wisdom: Wisdom is a divine, eternal force that guides the righteous, offering
moral clarity and the path to salvation.
● Divine Justice and Fate of the Wicked: God’s justice is sure; the wicked face destruction,
while the righteous are rewarded with immortality.
● Role of the Righteous: The righteous endure suffering but trust in divine wisdom, leading
to ultimate victory and God’s favor.
Cultural Impact
● Influence on Jewish Thought: The Wisdom of Solomon deepens Jewish understanding
of divine wisdom, justice, and the afterlife, offering guidance on suffering and
righteousness.
● Christian Theological Development: The book influenced early Christian thought,
shaping views of Christ as divine wisdom and contributing to Christian teachings on the
Holy Spirit.
● Artistic and Literary Legacy: Its themes of wisdom and justice have inspired numerous
works of art and literature, influencing both Western and Eastern traditions.
4. The Book of Sirach
Historical Context
● Setting: between 200 and 175 B.C.
● Background: This book is a Jewish book of ethical teachings written in Hebrew. It is also
known as the Wisdom of Sirach, Ecclesiasticus, or Ben Sira.
● Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, also known as Ben Sira was the protagonist. Sirach
is a collection of wisdom teaching, ethics, and morality similar to Proverbs. It discusses
themes like the fear of the Lord, ethical behavior, proper speech, wealth, and friendship.
Theological Themes
● Wisdom as a divine gift: Wisdom is personified, and its relationship with God is explored,
emphasizing that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.
● Creation: Ben Sira retells the story of creation by drawing on other biblical texts, such as
Genesis, Proverbs, Job, Exodus, Deuteronomy, and the Psalms.
● Fear of God: The idea that it is the beginning of wisdom and that it is a gift from God
● Divine Providence: God's preservation of creation, his cooperation with everything that
happens, and his guiding of the universe.
Cultural Impact
● Religious Impact: In Judaism, Sirach is part of the wisdom literature that reflects on
human experiences and offers insights into religion, morality, and ethics. Its teachings
have been integrated into Jewish thought and practice, contributing to discussions on
wisdom and ethical living.
● Educational and Ethical Contribution: Sirach emphasizes the value of education and
lifelong learning, encouraging readers to seek knowledge and develop critical thinking
skills. It promotes the idea that learning is a lifelong endeavor, highlighting the
importance of education in shaping individuals and society.
5. The Book of Baruch
● Confession and Prayer for Forgiveness: The people, speaking through Baruch, confess
their sins and acknowledge that their exile is a punishment from God.
● The value of wisdom: The people are urged to return to God and seek wisdom by
obeying His commandments.
● Encouragement for their Exiled People: The city of Jerusalem is personified as a grieving
mother, mourning the loss of her children
Historical Context
● The book is set during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Jewish people were
taken from Jerusalem to Babylon (after the destruction of the First Temple 586 B.C)
● Setting: The setting of the Book of Baruch takes place during or after the Babylonian
exile. This was a time when many Jewish people were living in Babylon after their city,
Jerusalem, and the First Temple had been destroyed in 586 BCE.
● Background: The background of the Book of Baruch is rooted in the period of the
Babylonian exile. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE,
many Jews were taken to Babylon as captives. The Jewish people were struggling with
the loss of their homeland, facing oppression, and questioning their relationship with
God.
Theological Themes
● Repentance and Forgiveness: The book teaches that suffering comes from
disobedience, but God is always willing to forgive those who turn back to him.
● Wisdom and Law: True wisdom is found in God’s commandments, not in human
achievements
● Hope and Restoration: Even when things seem hopeless, God has a plan to restore His
people
Cultural Impact
● Judaism: The book is not part of the Hebrew Bible, but it teaches important lessons
about repentance and faithfulness
● Christianity: The book is included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in most
Protestant Bibles. It is often read during Lent, a time of prayer and repentance.
6. The Maccabees (1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees)
● the Maccabees' name was taken from the surname of the Jewish revolutionary leader
"Judas", who was the third son of the priest Mattathias. While the origin of that surname
is unclear, it may have been derived from the Hebrew "maqqabi", which means "the
hammer" and a reference to Judas' phyrical strength and successful campaigns
(Fuentes, 1993). Such surname was extended to his brothers.
● the books of Maccabees refer to four books narrating the exploits of the sons of from a
Jewish priestly family and their rebellion against the Seleucid empire. All of these books
are not in the Hebrew Bible. Furthermore, only the first two of these books are included
as part of the Latin Vulgate (Septuagint) as deuterocanonical (Duignan, n.d.). These two
books contain independent accounts (separate authors) of the oppression of the Jews in
Palestine and their revolt that established religious and political independence for the
Jews (USCCB, 2019).
● As included in the deuterocanonical books, the first two books of Maccabees prompt
reflection about noble causes worthy of sacrifice. Furthermore, they also connect the
history of Jews with the situation of the Jews at the time of Christ (Mirus, 2019).
Historical Context
● This book refers to a Jewish family who led a rebellion against the Seleucid empire that
persecutes Jews
● The rebellion was led by Judas Maccabeus (which may be translated as "the Hammer"),
the third son of the priest Mattathias
● It happened after Mattathias killed a Seleucid authority who forced him to do unholy
sacrifices in the Temple of Jerusalem
Theological Theme
● The book of the Maccabees' revolution highlights several Christian themes
● First, faithfulness to God's promise was essential to their victory. Secondly, their deaths
are a model for Christian martyrdom
Cultural Impact
● As Jewish Heroes, the Maccabean revolution is celebrated until today as the holiday of
Hanukkah
● Their military success led to the Hasmonean dynasty, which is the first native monarchy
after the Babylonian exile
● Many elements of Judaism, especially during the time of Jesus, was highly influenced by
the Maccabean revolution
1 Maccabees
● The book describes the Jewish uprising against Antiochus of Syria, whose persecution
led to the desecration of the Temple. The priest Mattathias proclaimed a holy war. He
defied the Greek officials who came to his town of Modein to impose idol worship. He
denounced this practice and killed the first Jew who offered sacrifice to foreign gods
(Mirus, 2019). Mattathias fled with his family and others rallied with him, followed by over
20 years of warfare where Jewish resistance succeeded in campaigns under the
leadership of three of Mattathias' sons – Judas, Jonathan, and Simon 0 each of which
was killed despite numerous victories. Simon's death transferred the leadership to his
son John Hyrcanus, the first of the Hasmonean dynasty (Fuentes, 1993; Mirus, 2019).
2nd Maccabees
● This is one of the most important sources on the Maccabean Revolt. The work is not
a sequel to 1 Maccabees but rather its own independent rendition of the historical
events of the Maccabean Revolt. It both starts and ends its history earlier than 1
Maccabees, beginning with an incident with the Seleucid official Heliodorus
attempting to tax the Second Temple in 178 BC, and ending with the Battle of Adasa
in 161 BC. Some scholars believe the book to be influenced by the Pharisaic
tradition, with sections that include an endorsement of prayer for the dead and a
resurrection of the dead.
References
Book of Judith - New World Encyclopedia. (n.d.). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Book_of_Judith
Christianity.com. (n.d.). What is the Wisdom of Solomon? Significance and meaning of the text.
Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-wisdom-of-solomon.html
DivineNarratives. (2024, December 11). Solomon’s wisdom: Historical context and modern
influence. Retrieved from
https://divinenarratives.org/solomons-wisdom-historical-context-and-modern-influence/
Duignan, B. (n.d.). The books of Maccabees. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 4,
2025, from https://britannica.com/topic/The-Books-of-the-Maccabees
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. (2025, January 24). Tobit. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved
from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tobit-biblical-literature
Fuentes, A. (1993, January 1). 1 and 2 Maccabees. Catholic Answers. Retrieved February 4,
2025, from https://catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/1-2-maccabees
Google. (n.d.). The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha. Google Books. Retrieved from
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=MnhUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA11&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&
q&f=false
GotQuestions.org. (2022, January 4). Book of Judith. GotQuestions.org. Retrieved from
https://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-Judith.html
Lanoue, S. (2024, January 31). The wisdom of King Solomon: A Bible story. Of One Tree.
Retrieved from https://ofonetree.com/the-wisdom-of-king-solomon-a-bible-story/
Levine, A.-J. (n.d.). Tobit. The BAS Library. Retrieved from
https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/tobit/
Mirus, J. (2019, March 19). 1 Maccabees: A shift in understanding salvation history. Catholic
Culture Scripture Series. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from
https://catholicculture.org/commentary/1-maccabees-shift-in-understanding-salvation-history/
Pace, S. (2016, July 5). Deuterocanonical/apocryphal books. The Cambridge Companion to the
Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from [missing URL]
Pastor Jeff Merrow. (2025). The importance and teachings of the Book of Sirach. Retrieved from
https://pastormerrow.org/blog-post41
Reichert, B. (2023, September 5). What are the deuterocanonical books of the Bible? Bible
Study Tools. Retrieved from
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/the-deuterocanonical-books.html
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Book of Baruch: Jewish Apocrypha,
apocalyptic literature, prophecy. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Book-of-Baruch
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025, January 10). Judas Maccabeus – History,
Hanukkah, and the Hammer. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Judas-Maccabeus
The God Who Speaks. (2022, April 5). One man & his dog: Book of Tobit. Retrieved from
https://www.godwhospeaks.uk/one-man-and-his-dog/?utm_
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2019). 1 Maccabees. Retrieved February 4,
2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/0
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (n.d.). 2 Maccabees, Chapter 7. Retrieved
from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/7
The Wisdom of Ben Sira. (n.d.). Bible Claret. Retrieved from
https://www.bibleclaret.org/bibles/ccb_pdf/ot/5%20Writings/11%20Sirach%20pp%20979-1017.p
df
Young Catholics. (2024, January 15). The Book of Sirach: Timeless teachings. Retrieved from
https://young-catholics.com/53372/the-book-of-sirach/
