Pseudepigrapha facts for kids

Pseudepigrapha (say "soo-doh-EP-ih-graf-uh") are ancient writings that were given a false name. This means the person who supposedly wrote them actually didn't. The word "pseudepigrapha" comes from two Greek words: pseudo, meaning "false," and graphe, meaning "writing."

These writings are often religious texts that were not included in the main collection of books known as the Bible. They are different from the Apocrypha, which are other ancient books that some Christian groups include in their Bibles, but others do not. Most of the Pseudepigrapha were falsely said to be written by famous people from the Bible, like Adam, Noah, Moses, or King Solomon.

What are Pseudepigrapha?

Pseudepigrapha are mostly Jewish religious writings. Experts believe they were written between about 300 BC (Before Christ) and 300 AD (Anno Domini, or after Christ). These books are different from the books called deuterocanonical (which are accepted by Catholic and Orthodox Christians) or Apocrypha (which are often recognized by Protestants).

Many of these books can be found in ancient Greek and Latin versions of the Bible, like the Septuagint and the Vulgate. However, they are not part of the Hebrew Bible (the Jewish scriptures) or most Protestant Bibles.

Why were these books written?

People wrote Pseudepigrapha for many reasons. Sometimes, they wanted to share new religious ideas or stories. They might have used a famous name to make their writings seem more important or believable. For example, a writer might claim a book was written by a prophet like Enoch to give it more authority.

These writings often explore ideas about the end of the world, angels, demons, and what happens after death. They give us a peek into the beliefs and hopes of people living thousands of years ago.

Examples of Pseudepigrapha

There are many different Pseudepigrapha. Some well-known examples include:

• The Book of Enoch: This book tells stories about the prophet Enoch, who was said to have walked with God. It talks about angels, the origins of evil, and visions of heaven and hell.
• The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: This collection of writings claims to be the last words of the twelve sons of Jacob. Each son gives advice and tells stories about their lives.
• The Assumption of Moses: This book describes the death and burial of Moses, and a dispute between the archangel Michael and the Devil over his body.

These books offer unique insights into ancient religious thought, even though they are not considered part of the official Bible by most religious groups today.

Images for kids

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  Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

See also

In Spanish: Seudoepigrafía para niños