apokryysikirjat

Apokryysikirjat, often translated as apocryphal books, refers to a collection of ancient texts that are related to the Bible but are not considered canonical by most major Christian denominations. The term "apocrypha" itself comes from Greek and means "hidden things." These texts were typically written during the Second Temple period, roughly between the 5th century BCE and the 1st century CE.

The content of apocryphal books is diverse, often expanding on biblical narratives, providing moral instruction, or offering prophetic visions. Examples include works like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, and the books of Maccabees. These writings were popular among Jewish and early Christian communities, and some were even quoted or alluded to in the New Testament.

The status of apocryphal books has varied throughout history. The Protestant Reformation led to their exclusion from the main biblical canon by many Protestant churches, who often viewed them as less authoritative than the books accepted by both Jewish tradition and the early Christian church. However, some Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions do include certain apocryphal books within their broader canon, often referring to them as deuterocanonical, meaning "second canon." Regardless of their canonical status, apocryphal books offer valuable insights into the religious and cultural landscape of the ancient Near East and the development of early Judaism and Christianity.