Are Apocryphal books accepted by all Jews and Christians to be inspired by God?

Answer 1

In Judaism

No, the Apocrypha are not accepted by Jews; and most Jews never read them. The Jewish Tanakh (Bible) consists of: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, etc.), Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra & Nehemiah, and Chronicles (all only in the original Hebrew).

In Christianity

Among Christians who read the Apocrypha, they do accept what they read. However, there is not a uniform agreement between the different sects of Christianity as to what constitutes the Apocrypha.

Most Protestant groups do not read any of the Apocrypha; those that do are typically those that are close to Catholicism such as Anglicans and Episcopalians.

Concerning the different canons of the Apocrypha, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church accepts the books of Megabyan but not of Maccabees and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the only church that accepts the books of Megabyan. Roman Catholics accept Maccabees I & II, but not III and IV. Greek/Russian/Slavic Orthodox accept Maccabees I, II, III, and IV. Other books or parts of the Apocrypha are incorporated into traditional books. For example, Bel & the Dragon is incorporated into Daniel (a traditional book). In terms of purely Apocryphal book, the Letter of Jeremiah is sometimes independent, sometimes incorporated in the book of Baruch, and sometimes not accepted, depending on the particular sects.

Answer 2

In Judaism:

The Apocrypha are not accepted by Jews; and most Jews never read them. The Jewish Tanakh (Bible) consists of: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel (1 and 2 combined), Kings (1 and 2 combined), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, etc., combined), Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra & Nehemiah (combined), and Chronicles (1 and 2 combined). All of these are only in the original Hebrew.

See also the Related Links.

Link: A note about the Protestant O.T.

Link: Is the O.T. the same as the Tanakh

Link: More about the Hebrew Bible

Link: Jewish history timeline

Answer 3

No. They'd hardly be called "apocryphal" if they were (the word basically means "of doubtful authenticity"). The term preferred by Catholics, who DO accept them as "inspired", is "deuterocanonical".

Answer 4

In Judaism:

The Apocrypha are not accepted by Jews; and most Jews never read them. The Jewish Tanakh (Bible) consists of: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel (1 and 2 combined), Kings (1 and 2 combined), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, etc., combined), Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra & Nehemiah (combined), and Chronicles (1 and 2 combined).All of these are only in the original Hebrew.

See also:

A note about the Protestant O.T.

Is the O.T. the same as the Tanakh

More about the Hebrew Bible

Jewish history timeline

Answer 5

No they are not. The canon of The Bible, and all the books contained there-in have been able to stand the test of time as accurate, harmonious with the rest of the Bible, and contain detailed information that has been sifted through to make sure of it's inspired content and historical authenticity as much as possible.

The apocryphal books have not been able to pass those rigorous tests and therefore are kept out of the canon of inspired writings and many Christians religions disregard them completely. Although not considered inspired by many, some feel a few of the books have a portion of historical value.

Answer 6

No.

Please see the Related Question below that discusses this further.

Answer 7

Short answer - no. The Apocrypha does not appear in the majority of Bible published today for this very reason.