The question of how many books are in the Orthodox Bible is more complex than it might initially seem. Unlike the Protestant Bible, which contains 66 books, or the Catholic Bible, which has 73, the Eastern Orthodox Bible doesn’t have a single, universally agreed-upon list. This is due to the autocephalous (self-governing) nature of the Orthodox Churches, each of which holds its own slightly varying canon. However, a general consensus exists, and understanding the nuances provides a fascinating insight into the history and development of the biblical canon.
Understanding the Orthodox Biblical Canon
The Orthodox Church views the Bible as an essential source of divine revelation, alongside Holy Tradition. Understanding the specific books considered canonical requires understanding the historical development of the Orthodox canon. This involves examining the Septuagint, the Old Testament used by early Christians, and the varying views on certain books known as the deuterocanonical books (called anagignoskomena by the Orthodox).
The Septuagint’s Influence
The Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, played a pivotal role in shaping the Orthodox Old Testament. Compiled over several centuries, starting in the 3rd century BCE, it included books not found in the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text used by Protestants). Early Christians, largely Greek-speaking, relied heavily on the Septuagint, and it became the foundation for the Orthodox Old Testament. This reliance is crucial to understanding why the Orthodox Bible includes more books than the Protestant Old Testament. The Septuagint wasn’t just a translation; it was an interpretation of the Hebrew scriptures that held great authority.
The Old Testament: Varying Perspectives
The Orthodox Old Testament is generally considered to contain 50 books. However, the precise number can be debated depending on how certain books are counted (e.g., whether the Book of Lamentations is considered separate from Jeremiah). This includes the protocanonical books (those accepted by all) and the deuterocanonical books. These deuterocanonical books, also known as the anagignoskomena (“readable” or “useful”), are books accepted as Scripture and read in churches, but their authority is sometimes regarded as being of a slightly different level compared to the protocanonical books.
Examples of these books include:
* Tobit
* Judith
* Additions to Esther
* Wisdom of Solomon
* Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
* Baruch
* The Letter of Jeremiah (sometimes included with Baruch)
* Additions to Daniel (The Prayer of Azariah, Song of the Three Holy Children, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
* 1 Maccabees
* 2 Maccabees
* 3 Maccabees (accepted by some Orthodox Churches, especially in the East)
It’s important to note that while most Orthodox Churches accept these books, the degree to which they are emphasized varies. Some churches give them equal weight to the protocanonical books, while others treat them with slightly less emphasis.
The New Testament: General Agreement
Unlike the Old Testament, the Eastern Orthodox New Testament largely aligns with the New Testament accepted by most other Christian denominations. It comprises 27 books: the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Acts of the Apostles, the fourteen Epistles of Paul (including Hebrews), the seven General Epistles (James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude), and the Book of Revelation. There is very little variation among the Orthodox Churches regarding the canonicity of these books. The New Testament canon was largely settled by the late 4th century, and the Orthodox Church continues to uphold this consensus.
The Anagignoskomena: A Closer Look
The “anagignoskomena” books (deuterocanonical) are a key distinguishing factor of the Orthodox Bible. Understanding their role is essential.
Defining Anagignoskomena
The term “anagignoskomena” is a Greek word meaning “readable” or “useful.” This designation reflects the Orthodox Church’s view of these books: they are considered valuable for instruction and edification, but they may not hold the same level of doctrinal weight as the protocanonical books. This distinction is subtle but important. These books are read in church services and considered part of Scripture, but they might not be used as primary sources for establishing core doctrines.
Examples and Significance
Consider the Book of Tobit, a narrative filled with angelic intervention and moral lessons. Or the Book of Judith, a story of a brave woman who saves her people. These books, while not always featured prominently in theological debates, offer profound spiritual insights and examples of faith. They contribute to the richness and depth of the Orthodox understanding of God’s interaction with humanity. The inclusion of these narratives provides a broader historical and cultural context for understanding the Old Testament. They supplement the protocanonical books and offer a more complete picture of God’s relationship with his people.
Regional Variations and Church Autonomy
The autocephalous structure of the Orthodox Church contributes to minor variations in the accepted canon.
The Significance of Autocephaly
Each autocephalous Orthodox Church (e.g., the Russian Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church) is self-governing and has the authority to make its own decisions on certain matters, including the specific composition of its biblical canon. While a strong consensus exists, slight differences can arise due to historical or cultural factors. This autocephaly reflects the Orthodox understanding of the Church as a communion of independent churches united in faith and sacraments. It allows for regional traditions and interpretations to be maintained while preserving the unity of the Orthodox faith.
Examples of Variations
For example, some Orthodox Churches, particularly those in the East, accept 3 Maccabees as canonical, while others do not. 4 Maccabees is also found in some Orthodox Bibles, though it is usually considered an appendix. These variations, while present, do not fundamentally alter the core doctrines or beliefs of the Orthodox Church. They reflect the diverse cultural and historical contexts in which the Orthodox faith has been practiced and preserved.
Counting the Books: Arriving at a Number
So, how many books are in the Orthodox Bible? Providing a definitive answer requires acknowledging the nuances discussed.
A General Consensus
Generally speaking, the Orthodox Bible is considered to have 77 books. This includes the 50 books of the Old Testament (including the anagignoskomena) and the 27 books of the New Testament. However, this is a general estimate, and the actual number can vary slightly depending on how individual books are counted and which particular Orthodox Church is being considered.
Factors Affecting the Count
The way certain books are grouped can affect the total count. For example, some editions may combine Jeremiah and Lamentations into a single book, while others list them separately. Similarly, the inclusion or exclusion of books like 3 Maccabees can impact the final number. Therefore, when discussing the number of books in the Orthodox Bible, it’s important to acknowledge the inherent flexibility and the lack of a single, universally agreed-upon list.
Comparing to Other Christian Bibles
It’s helpful to compare the Orthodox Bible to the Bibles of other Christian denominations. The Protestant Bible contains 66 books (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament), while the Catholic Bible contains 73 books (46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament). The Orthodox Bible, with its approximately 77 books, represents a different perspective on the extent of the biblical canon. These differences highlight the diverse historical and theological paths that different Christian traditions have taken in their understanding of Scripture.
The Importance of Tradition
Ultimately, the Orthodox Church emphasizes the importance of Holy Tradition alongside Scripture.
Scripture and Tradition: An Inseparable Pair
The Orthodox Church does not view the Bible as the sole source of authority. Instead, it sees Scripture and Holy Tradition as inseparable and mutually interpreting. Holy Tradition encompasses the teachings, practices, and liturgical life of the Church, passed down from the Apostles. It provides the context for understanding Scripture and helps to interpret its meaning. This understanding of authority is crucial for comprehending the Orthodox approach to the biblical canon.
The Role of the Church Councils
The decisions of the Ecumenical Councils played a significant role in shaping the Orthodox understanding of Scripture and Tradition. These councils, convened by bishops from across the Christian world, addressed doctrinal disputes and clarified the Church’s teachings. Their pronouncements, along with the writings of the Church Fathers, form an integral part of Holy Tradition and guide the Orthodox Church in its interpretation of the Bible.
A Living Faith
The Orthodox faith is not simply a set of doctrines contained in a book. It is a living faith that is expressed in the liturgy, the sacraments, and the daily lives of believers. The Bible is an essential part of this living faith, but it is always interpreted within the context of Holy Tradition and the life of the Church. This dynamic interplay between Scripture and Tradition ensures that the Orthodox faith remains relevant and vibrant in every generation.
In conclusion, determining the exact number of books in the Orthodox Bible is not a straightforward exercise. The Orthodox Church values both Scripture and Holy Tradition, allowing for regional variations within the autocephalous churches. While a generally accepted figure of 77 books provides a useful guideline, understanding the historical and theological context surrounding the Orthodox canon is far more important than fixating on a single number. The inclusion of the anagignoskomena enriches the Orthodox understanding of Scripture, offering a broader and more nuanced perspective on God’s revelation.
What exactly is meant by “Orthodox Bible” and how does it differ from other Christian Bibles?
The term “Orthodox Bible” refers to the collection of sacred texts recognized as canonical scripture by the Eastern Orthodox Church. This collection includes the Old Testament, the New Testament, and certain additional books not found in the Protestant Old Testament. The specific composition of the Orthodox Old Testament is based on the Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures that was widely used in the early Church.
The key difference lies primarily in the Old Testament canon. While sharing the same 27 books of the New Testament, the Orthodox Bible incorporates additional books and sections like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, additions to Daniel (Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon), and additions to Esther, which are considered deuterocanonical (or anagignoskomena, meaning “readable”) by the Orthodox Church. These are often regarded as apocryphal by Protestants or included in the Catholic Bible’s Old Testament.
How many books are in the Orthodox Old Testament?
The exact number of books in the Orthodox Old Testament is a matter of some complexity and depends on how individual books are counted and divided. Generally speaking, it comprises 49 books. This includes the 39 books found in the Protestant Old Testament as well as additional books and sections accepted as canonical by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The additional books and sections are sourced from the Septuagint. These books, like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, 1, 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees, and additions to Daniel and Esther, are integrated within the Old Testament. The precise arrangement and numbering can vary slightly between different Orthodox traditions and translations, which accounts for the slightly varying numbers reported.
What is the Septuagint (LXX) and why is it important for the Orthodox Bible?
The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. Tradition holds that it was translated by seventy (hence “Septuaginta” – seventy in Latin) Jewish scholars in Alexandria, Egypt, during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. It served as the primary scripture for Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians.
The Septuagint is profoundly important for the Orthodox Bible because it forms the basis of its Old Testament canon. Unlike Protestant Bibles, which largely rely on the Masoretic Text (a medieval Hebrew text), the Orthodox Church draws primarily from the Septuagint. This means that the Orthodox Old Testament includes books and passages not found in the Masoretic Text, thus shaping the content and interpretation of the Orthodox scriptures.
Are all the books in the Orthodox Bible considered equally authoritative?
Within the Orthodox Church, the books generally accepted as canonical are considered to possess divine authority and inspiration. However, a distinction is sometimes made between the protocanonical books (those accepted by nearly all Christians) and the deuterocanonical books (also known as anagignoskomena), which were disputed by some early Church Fathers but ultimately accepted by the Orthodox Church.
The deuterocanonical books are still considered part of the scripture and are used in worship and teaching. However, some Orthodox theologians might suggest that doctrines are primarily based on the protocanonical books. Ultimately, all accepted books are considered part of the Holy Scripture and valuable for spiritual growth and understanding, although the degree of emphasis placed on each book may vary.
Where can I find an Orthodox Study Bible?
The most widely available Orthodox Study Bible is the “Orthodox Study Bible” published by Thomas Nelson. This edition uses the New King James Version (NKJV) for the New Testament and the Septuagint translation for the Old Testament, with extensive commentary and notes from an Orthodox perspective.
You can typically find this study Bible at major online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christianbook.com, as well as at bookstores that specialize in religious texts. Some Orthodox parishes and bookstores may also carry it. Other translations, while not specifically designated as “study Bibles”, may incorporate Orthodox perspectives and commentaries, so explore options available through Orthodox publishers.
Why do the Orthodox include books like Tobit and Maccabees in their Bible?
The Orthodox Church includes books like Tobit and Maccabees in their Bible because these texts were part of the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament used by the early Church. These books were considered authoritative by many early Christians and were quoted by Church Fathers in their writings. The Orthodox Church maintained this tradition, affirming their value and inspiration.
These books provide valuable historical context and spiritual insights. Tobit, for example, teaches about prayer, almsgiving, and divine providence. The Books of Maccabees recount the struggle for Jewish religious freedom and national identity, highlighting themes of faithfulness, martyrdom, and the importance of upholding God’s law. Their inclusion reflects the Orthodox Church’s commitment to preserving the traditions of the early Church and the Septuagint.
How does the Orthodox New Testament differ from other Christian New Testaments?
In terms of content, the Orthodox New Testament is virtually identical to the New Testaments found in other Christian traditions like Catholicism and Protestantism. It contains the same 27 books: the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Acts of the Apostles, the fourteen Pauline Epistles, the seven General Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
While the books themselves are the same, the Greek text used may differ slightly in some translations. Furthermore, the Orthodox tradition places a strong emphasis on the liturgical use of the New Testament, so understanding the context of scripture readings within the Divine Liturgy and other services is crucial. Orthodox interpretation also relies heavily on the consensus of the Church Fathers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit within the Church.