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THE ÜBER BIBLE

· Amanda Girard · Guides

A Comprehensive Content Index of All Sacred Texts, Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Related Writings

PART I: THE HEBREW BIBLE / TANAKH

The Jewish Canon (24 Books)

Torah (The Law)

  1. Genesis — Creation, patriarchs, Joseph
  2. Exodus — Moses, the Exodus, Sinai covenant, Tabernacle
  3. Leviticus — Priestly laws, holiness code, sacrifices
  4. Numbers — Wilderness wanderings, census, Balaam
  5. Deuteronomy — Moses’ farewell speeches, covenant renewal

Nevi’im (The Prophets)

Former Prophets
6. Joshua — Conquest and settlement of Canaan
7. Judges — Pre-monarchic Israel, the judges cycle
8. 1 Samuel — Samuel, Saul, David’s rise
9. 2 Samuel — David’s reign, Bathsheba, succession
10. 1 Kings — Solomon, divided kingdom, Elijah
11. 2 Kings — Elisha, Assyrian and Babylonian conquests

Latter Prophets
12. Isaiah — Judgment and salvation oracles (1st, 2nd, 3rd Isaiah)
13. Jeremiah — Prophecies of doom, the new covenant
14. Ezekiel — Visions, temple restoration, dry bones
15. The Twelve (Minor Prophets)
– Hosea — Unfaithful Israel as adulterous wife
– Joel — Day of the Lord, outpouring of Spirit
– Amos — Social justice oracles
– Obadiah — Judgment on Edom
– Jonah — Prophet and the great fish
– Micah — Bethlehem birth prophecy, justice
– Nahum — Fall of Nineveh
– Habakkuk — Theodicy, the righteous shall live by faith
– Zephaniah — Day of the Lord, remnant
– Haggai — Rebuild the temple
– Zechariah — Messianic visions, apocalyptic
– Malachi — Priestly corruption, Elijah’s return

Ketuvim (The Writings)

  1. Psalms — Hymns, laments, royal and wisdom psalms
  2. Proverbs — Wisdom sayings of Solomon and others
  3. Job — The problem of suffering, theodicy
  4. Song of Songs — Erotic love poetry
  5. Ruth — Moabite ancestress of David
  6. Lamentations — Dirges over destroyed Jerusalem
  7. Ecclesiastes — Vanity of vanities, existential wisdom
  8. Esther — Deliverance of Jews in Persia
  9. Daniel — Court tales and apocalyptic visions
  10. Ezra-Nehemiah — Post-exilic restoration, law, walls
  11. 1 Chronicles — Genealogies, David’s reign retold
  12. 2 Chronicles — Solomon to exile, temple focus

PART II: SECOND TEMPLE & INTERTESTAMENTAL TEXTS

Jewish texts from the Persian through Hellenistic periods

  1. 1 Enoch (Ethiopic Enoch) — Astronomical, parabolic, dream visions, epistle; Watchers and Giants
  2. 2 Enoch (Slavonic Enoch) — Creation, Melchizedek, seven heavens
  3. 3 Enoch (Hebrew Enoch / Sefer Hekhalot) — Enoch as Metatron, heavenly palaces
  4. Book of Jubilees — Rewritten Genesis-Exodus, 49-year jubilee cycles, angelology
  5. Book of Biblical Antiquities (Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum / Pseudo-Philo) — Rewritten Bible from Adam to David
  6. Psalms of Solomon — Hymns on Pompey’s invasion, messianic hope
  7. Sibylline Oracles — Jewish and Christian oracles in Greek hexameter
  8. Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs — Deathbed speeches, ethics, messianism
  9. Testament of Job — Patient Job’s final words, magical girdle
  10. Testament of Solomon — Solomon’s control of demons, temple construction
  11. Testament of Adam — Three hours of the day, generations, prophecy
  12. Testament of Abraham — Abraham’s refusal to die, judgment scene
  13. Testament of Isaac — Isaac’s piety and death
  14. Testament of Jacob — Jacob’s final blessings
  15. Testament of Moses (Assumption of Moses) — Moses’ secret teachings, end times
  16. Life of Adam and Eve (Apocalypse of Moses) — Expulsion, penitence, deaths of Adam and Eve
  17. Joseph and Aseneth — Conversion and marriage of Aseneth
  18. Jannes and Jambres — Egyptian magicians opposing Moses
  19. History of the Rechabites — Island of the blessed, ascetic community
  20. Eldad and Modad — Prophets in the wilderness
  21. Pseudo-Phocylides — Wisdom poem in Greek
  22. 3 Maccabees — Ptolemy IV and the Jews of Egypt
  23. 4 Maccabees — Philosophical discourse on reason and the passions
  24. Letter of Aristeas — Origin of the Septuagint translation
  25. Aristobulus — Philosophical interpretations of Torah
  26. 2 Baruch (Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch) — Baruch’s visions after Jerusalem’s fall
  27. 3 Baruch (Greek Apocalypse of Baruch) — Heavenly journey, cosmology
  28. 4 Baruch (Paraleipomena of Jeremiah) — Jeremiah and Abimelech in Babylon
  29. Apocalypse of Abraham — Abraham’s conversion, heavenly ascent, eschatology
  30. Apocalypse of Adam — Secret knowledge from Adam to Seth
  31. Apocalypse of Elijah — End-time prophecy
  32. Apocalypse of Sedrach — Dialogues on death and judgment
  33. Apocalypse of Zephaniah — Guided tour of the afterlife
  34. Prayer of Jacob — Mystical invocation
  35. Prayer of Joseph — Jacob as angel Israel
  36. Odes of Solomon — Early Christian/Jewish-Christian hymns
  37. Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers — Liturgical prayers preserved in Apostolic Constitutions
  38. More Psalms of David (Qumran) — Non-canonical psalms from the Dead Sea Scrolls

PART III: THE SEPTUAGINT ADDITIONS (DEUTEROCANON / APOCRYPHA)

Texts in the Greek Septuagint but not in the Hebrew canon

  1. Tobit — Pious Tobit, Sarah, and the angel Raphael
  2. Judith — Judith beheads Holofernes
  3. Additions to Esther — Six Greek expansions (dreams, prayers, edicts)
  4. Wisdom of Solomon — Wisdom theology, immortality, Exodus retold
  5. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus / Ben Sira) — Wisdom instruction, hymn to the fathers
  6. Baruch — Confession of sins, wisdom poem, consolation
  7. Letter of Jeremiah — Polemic against idolatry
  8. Additions to Daniel
    • Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children — Furnace prayer
    • Susanna — Daniel’s judicial wisdom
    • Bel and the Dragon — Exposé of idolatry
  9. 1 Maccabees — Hasmonean revolt and history
  10. 2 Maccabees — Martyrdom theology, temple rededication
  11. 1 Esdras (3 Esdras) — Alternative Ezra history, the three guards
  12. 2 Esdras (4 Esdras / Apocalyptic Esdras) — Ezra’s lament, eagle vision, messianic woes
  13. Prayer of Manasseh — Penitential prayer of the wicked king
  14. Psalm 151 — David’s election and victory over Goliath

PART IV: ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX BROADER CANON

Unique to the Ge’ez tradition

  1. 1 Enoch (already listed; canonical in Ethiopia)
  2. Jubilees (already listed; canonical in Ethiopia)
  3. 4 Baruch (already listed)
  4. Rest of the Words of Baruch — Additional Baruchic material
  5. Book of the Covenant (Mäshafä Kidan) — Liturgical and legal text
  6. Book of the Order of the Church (Mäshafä Ser’at) — Ecclesiastical ordinances
  7. Joseph ben Gurion (Josippon) — Medieval Jewish history in Ge’ez

PART V: THE NEW TESTAMENT

The 27-Book Christian Canon

The Gospels

  1. Matthew — Jewish-Christian gospel, five discourses, fulfillment formulas
  2. Mark — Earliest gospel, messianic secret, passion focus
  3. Luke — Salvation history, marginalized, travel narrative
  4. John — Logos hymn, signs, “I am” sayings, farewell discourses

History

  1. Acts of the Apostles — Church from Jerusalem to Rome, Peter and Paul

Pauline Epistles

  1. Romans — Systematic theology, justification by faith
  2. 1 Corinthians — Church problems, resurrection, love chapter
  3. 2 Corinthians — Paul’s defense of his apostleship
  4. Galatians — Freedom from the law, fruit of the Spirit
  5. Ephesians — Church as Christ’s body, spiritual warfare
  6. Philippians — Joy in suffering, Christ hymn
  7. Colossians — Christ as cosmic head, household codes
  8. 1 Thessalonians — Eschatology, parousia of Christ
  9. 2 Thessalonians — Man of lawlessness, don’t be alarmed
  10. 1 Timothy — Church order, qualifications of leaders
  11. 2 Timothy — Paul’s final charge, Scripture inspiration
  12. Titus — Crete, sound doctrine
  13. Philemon — Onesimus, slavery and brotherhood
  14. Hebrews — Christ as high priest, Melchizedek, faith chapter

General (Catholic) Epistles

  1. James — Faith and works, control of the tongue
  2. 1 Peter — Suffering as Christian, household codes
  3. 2 Peter — False teachers, delayed parousia
  4. 1 John — God is love, tests of true faith
  5. 2 John — Walk in truth, reject false teachers
  6. 3 John — Hospitality and Diotrephes
  7. Jude — Contend for the faith, Enoch quotation

Apocalypse

  1. Revelation (Apocalypse of John) — Seven churches, seals, trumpets, bowls, New Jerusalem

PART VI: NEW TESTAMENT APOCRYPHA — GOSPELS

Alternative accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings

  1. Gospel of Thomas — 114 sayings of Jesus, no narrative
  2. Gospel of Philip — Valentinian sacramental theology
  3. Gospel of Truth — Valentinian meditation on ignorance and knowledge
  4. Gospel of Mary — Mary Magdalene’s secret teachings, conflict with Andrew and Peter
  5. Gospel of Judas — Judas as the only disciple who truly understands Jesus
  6. Gospel of Peter — Anti-Jewish passion narrative, talking cross
  7. Gospel of the Egyptians — Encratite sayings, Salome
  8. Gospel of the Hebrews — Jewish-Christian gospel, “my mother the Holy Spirit”
  9. Gospel of the Nazarenes — Aramaic/Hebrew Matthew traditions
  10. Gospel of the Ebionites — Vegetarian Jesus, anti-sacrificial
  11. Gospel of Basilides — Gnostic gospel (lost, known through references)
  12. Gospel of Marcion — Edited Luke, demiurge theology
  13. Gospel of Eve — Gnostic fragments on ascent
  14. Gospel of Perfection — Gnostic gospel (lost)
  15. Gospel of the Twelve — Alternative apostolic gospel (lost)
  16. Gospel of the Four Heavenly Regions — Cosmic gospel (lost)
  17. Gospel of the Savior — Coptic passion and resurrection fragments
  18. Secret Gospel of Mark — Extended Mark with mystical initiation (disputed authenticity)
  19. Infancy Gospel of James (Protevangelium of James) — Mary’s birth, virginity, nativity
  20. Infancy Gospel of Thomas — Boy Jesus’ miracles and mischief
  21. Arabic Infancy Gospel — Childhood miracles, magi, travels to Egypt
  22. History of Joseph the Carpenter — Death and glorification of Joseph
  23. Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate) — Trial, descent into Hades, resurrection
  24. Gospel of Bartholomew — Dialogues in the underworld
  25. Questions of Bartholomew — Apostle’s inquiries into divine mysteries
  26. Gospel of the Lots of Mary — Divinatory text attributed to Mary

PART VII: NEW TESTAMENT APOCRYPHA — ACTS

Apostolic adventures beyond the canonical Acts

  1. Acts of Paul — Paul and Thecla, lion baptism, martyrdom
  2. Acts of Peter — Quo vadis, dog Simon Magus, crucifixion upside-down
  3. Acts of John — Lycomedes portrait, bedbugs, temple collapse, mystical discourses
  4. Acts of Andrew — Maximilla’s chastity, Matthias’ rescue, martyrdom on X-cross
  5. Acts of Thomas — Twin Jesus, India mission, bridal chamber hymn
  6. Acts of Philip — Slayer of dragons, conversion of the eunuch
  7. Acts of Barnabas — Cyprus mission, martyrdom
  8. Acts of Timothy — Martyrdom at Ephesus
  9. Acts of Titus — Crete mission
  10. Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena — Chaste women and Paul
  11. Acts of Peter and Paul — Joint martyrdom in Rome
  12. Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles — Nag Hammadi merchant tale
  13. Acts of Paul and Thecla — Thecla’s independence and preaching
  14. Martyrdom of Paul — Beheading at Rome
  15. Martyrdom of Peter — Crucifixion upside-down
  16. Martyrdom of Andrew — X-shaped cross
  17. Martyrdom of Thomas — Spear martyrdom in India
  18. Ascension of Isaiah — Isaiah’s martyrdal vision, heavenly ascent, Beloved descent

PART VIII: NEW TESTAMENT APOCRYPHA — EPISTLES

Letters beyond the canonical 21

  1. Epistle of the Apostles — Post-resurrection dialogues, anti-Gnostic
  2. 3 Corinthians — Paul’s response to Simon and Cleobius
  3. Correspondence of Paul and Seneca — 14 letters (pious fiction)
  4. Epistle to the Laodiceans — Summary of Pauline themes (forged)
  5. Epistle of Barnabas — Allegorical interpretation, two ways
  6. Epistle to Diognetus — Apology, “the soul in the body”
  7. Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) — Two ways, liturgy, church order
  8. Shepherd of Hermas — Visions, mandates, similitudes; repentance
  9. 1 Clement — Corinthian schism, apostolic succession
  10. 2 Clement — Sermon on purity and repentance
  11. Ignatius of Antioch — 7 Authentic Epistles
    • To the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, Polycarp
  12. Ignatius — Spurious Epistles
    • To the Tarsians, Antiochenes, Hero, Philippians, Mary of Cassobola
  13. Polycarp to the Philippians — Faith and love, Ignatius
  14. Martyrdom of Polycarp — Proto-martyrology, Eucharistic theology

PART IX: NEW TESTAMENT APOCRYPHA — APOCALYPSES

Revelations beyond John

  1. Apocalypse of Peter — Guided tours of heaven and hell (influential on Dante)
  2. Apocalypse of Paul — Vision of heaven’s gates, hell’s punishments
  3. Apocalypse of Thomas — Seven days before the end
  4. Apocalypse of Stephen — Stephen’s martyrdom and vision
  5. Apocalypse of the Virgin — Mary’s vision of the damned
  6. Questions of Ezra — Dialogues on death and judgment
  7. Vision of Ezra — Punishments and rewards
  8. Revelation of Esdras — Eschatological visions
  9. Testament of Adam — Three hours, generations to come
  10. Testament of Abraham — Death refused, judgment throne
  11. Testament of Isaac — Piety and death
  12. Testament of Jacob — Final blessings
  13. Testament of Job — Patience, magical girdle, daughters’ inheritance
  14. Testament of Solomon — Demonology, temple building
  15. Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs — Ethical testaments
  16. Testament of Moses (Assumption of Moses) — Secret teachings, eschaton
  17. Life of Adam and Eve — Expulsion, penitence, deaths

PART X: THE NAG HAMMADI LIBRARY

Gnostic and related texts from Upper Egypt (c. 350–400 CE)

Gnostic Gospels and Revelatory Dialogues

  1. Apocryphon (Secret Book) of John — Creation myth, Pleroma, demiurge Yaldabaoth
  2. Gospel of Thomas (already listed)
  3. Gospel of Philip (already listed)
  4. Gospel of Truth (already listed)
  5. Gospel of the Egyptians (already listed)
  6. Gospel of Mary (already listed)
  7. Dialogue of the Savior — Savior’s final teachings to disciples
  8. Book of Thomas the Contender — Twin’s secret words
  9. Treatise on the Resurrection — Letter to Rheginus on spiritual resurrection
  10. Tripartite Tractate — Valentinian cosmology and soteriology
  11. Apocryphon of James — Secret book of James, secret book of John
  12. Apocalypse of Adam — Secret knowledge from Adam to Seth
  13. Hypostasis of the Archons — Rulers of darkness, spiritual rescue
  14. On the Origin of the World — Cosmogony and eschatology
  15. Exegesis on the Soul — Soul’s fall and restoration as feminine

Sethian and Platonizing Texts

  1. Apocalypse of Adam (already listed)
  2. Zostrianos — Heavenly ascent through aeons
  3. Allogenes — Stranger’s ascent to the Unknowable One
  4. Three Steles of Seth — Seth’s hymns to the divine
  5. Marsanes — Platonizing ascent text
  6. Melchizedek — Heavenly Melchizedek as Christ-figure
  7. Thought of Norea — Norea, daughter of Eve, and the archons
  8. Trimorphic Protennoia — Three forms of First Thought

Valentinian Texts

  1. Gospel of Truth (already listed)
  2. Tripartite Tractate (already listed)
  3. Treatise on the Resurrection (already listed)
  4. A Valentinian Exposition — Commentary on Valentinian myth
  5. Interpretation of Knowledge — Ecclesiology and sacraments

Other Nag Hammadi Treatises

  1. Thunder, Perfect Mind — Divine feminine self-revelation
  2. Sophia of Jesus Christ — Questions of disciples, revelation of Sophia
  3. Concept of Our Great Power — Three ages of history
  4. Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth — Hermetic initiation dialogue
  5. Prayer of Thanksgiving — Hermetic prayer
  6. Asclepius 21–29 — Hermetic treatise on god and matter
  7. Paraphrase of Shem — Cosmology of Shem
  8. Second Treatise of the Great Seth — Seth’s revelation of the true Christ
  9. Teachings of Silvanus — Wisdom instruction
  10. Testimony of Truth — Anti-ecclesiastical polemic
  11. Sentences of Sextus — Pythagorean/Christian wisdom
  12. Eugnostos the Blessed — Letter on the divine realm
  13. Wisdom of Jesus Christ — Dialogue on the Pleroma
  14. Letter of Peter to Philip — Commission and ascent
  15. Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles — Lithargoel the pearl merchant

PART XI: THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS — NON-BIBLICAL TEXTS

Qumran sectarian and parabiblical literature (c. 250 BCE – 68 CE)

Sectarian Rule Texts

  1. Community Rule (1QS / 4QS) — Sectarian organization, two spirits, covenant
  2. Damascus Document (CD / 4QD) — Exile, new covenant, laws
  3. War Scroll (1QM / 4Q491-496) — End-time battle between sons of light and darkness
  4. Temple Scroll (11QT) — Rewritten Torah, ideal temple
  5. Some of the Works of the Torah (4QMMT) — Halakhic letter to Jerusalem authorities
  6. Rule of the Congregation (1QSa) — Messianic banquet rules
  7. Rule of the Benedictions (1QSb) — Priestly blessings

Pesharim (Biblical Commentaries)

  1. Pesher on Habakkuk (1QpHab) — Interpretation of Habakkuk for the sect
  2. Pesher on Nahum (4QpNah) — Kittim, Lion of Wrath
  3. Pesher on Psalms (4QpPsa, 4QpPsb) — Davidic messianism
  4. Pesher on Isaiah (4QpIsaa-f) — Multiple Isaiah commentaries
  5. Pesher on Hosea (4QpHosa, 4QpHosb) — Unfaithful Israel
  6. Pesher on Micah (1QpMic) — End-time ruler
  7. Pesher on Zephaniah (1QpZeph) — Day of the Lord
  8. Pesher on Malachi (5QpMal) — Messenger and covenant

Hymnic and Poetic Texts

  1. Thanksgiving Hymns (1QH / 4QH) — Hymns of the Teacher of Righteousness
  2. Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice (4Q400-407, 11Q17) — Angelic liturgy for 13 Sabbaths
  3. Words of the Luminaries (4Q504-506) — Daily prayers for the week
  4. Barkhi Nafshi (4Q434-438) — Bless the Lord, O my soul
  5. Non-Canonical Psalms (4Q380, 4Q381) — Psalms not in the biblical book

Calendrical and Astronomical Texts

  1. Calendrical Documents (4Q320-325) — 364-day solar calendar
  2. Astronomical Enoch (4Q208-211) — Lunar phases and Enochic astronomy
  3. Horoscopes (4Q186) — Physiognomic astrology
  4. Brontologion (4Q318) — Thunder omens

Wisdom Texts

  1. Instruction on the Two Spirits (1QS III-IV) — Cosmic dualism
  2. Instruction (4Q415-418, 4Q423) — Wisdom for the sectarian community
  3. Mysteries (1Q27, 4Q299-301) — Cosmic and eschatological secrets
  4. Ways of Righteousness (4Q420-421) — Ethical instruction
  5. Wiles of the Wicked Woman (4Q184) — Personified folly
  6. Beatitudes (4Q525) — Macarisms on wisdom

Apocryphal and Parabiblical Texts

  1. Genesis Apocryphon (1Q20) — Expanded Genesis narratives in Aramaic
  2. Book of Giants (1Q23-24, 2Q26, 4Q203, 4Q530-533, 6Q8) — Enochic giant narratives
  3. Pseudo-Ezekiel (4Q385, 4Q386, 4Q388, 4Q391) — Ezekielic visions and resurrection
  4. Pseudo-Daniel (4Q243-245) — Danielic court tales
  5. Pseudo-Jubilees (4Q225-227) — Jubilees-related narratives
  6. Aramaic Levi Document (4Q213-214) — Levi’s priestly instruction and ascent
  7. Testament of Qahat (4Q542) — Kohath’s testament to Amram
  8. Visions of Amram (4Q543-549) — Amram’s vision of two angels
  9. Prayer of Enosh (4Q369) — Prayer of the patriarch Enosh
  10. Apocryphon of Moses (4Q375, 4Q376, 4Q408) — Moses-related legal texts
  11. Apocryphon of Joshua (4Q378-379, 4Q522, 4Q123) — Joshua narratives
  12. Apocryphon of Samuel-Kings (6Q9) — Historical narratives
  13. Apocryphon of Jeremiah (4Q383, 4Q384, 4Q385a, 4Q387, 4Q388a, 4Q389, 4Q390) — Jeremiah’s prophecies for the end times
  14. Pseudo-Moses (4Q385a, 4Q387-390) — Moses as eschatological prophet
  15. Birth of Noah (4Q534-536) — Noah’s miraculous birth and destiny
  16. Words of Michael (4Q529, 6Q23) — Angelic revelation through Michael
  17. New Jerusalem (1Q32, 2Q24, 4Q554-555, 5Q15, 11Q18) — Vision of the heavenly temple-city
  18. Copper Scroll (3Q15) — Treasure list, possibly sectarian or legendary

Florilegia and Testimonia

  1. Florilegium (4Q174) — Messianic collection of biblical texts
  2. Testimonia (4Q175) — Collection of messianic proof texts
  3. Catena (4Q177) — Chain of biblical interpretations
  4. Melchizedek (11Q13) — Melchizedek as heavenly savior and jubilee

PART XII: SAMARITAN SCRIPTURES

Texts of the Samaritan Israelite community

  1. Samaritan Pentateuch — Torah with Samaritan textual variants
  2. Samaritan Book of Joshua (Tulida) — Conquest from Samaritan perspective
  3. Memar Markah (Tafsir) — Samaritan Aramaic targum and theology
  4. Defter — Samaritan liturgical collection
  5. Asatir (Samaritan Book of Secrets) — Pseudo-biblical history
  6. Chronicle of Joshua — Samaritan historical chronicle
  7. Chronicle Adler — Medieval Samaritan chronicle
  8. Book of the Secrets of Moses — Samaritan mystical text

PART XIII: SYRIAC AND EARLY ORIENTAL TRADITIONS

Texts from Syriac Christianity and related traditions

  1. Peshitta — Standard Syriac translation of the Bible
  2. Curetonian Gospels — Old Syriac gospel manuscript
  3. Sinaitic Palimpsest — Old Syriac gospels from St. Catherine’s
  4. Diatessaron of Tatian — Harmony of the four gospels
  5. Doctrine of Addai — Legend of Thaddaeus and Abgar of Edessa
  6. Teaching of the Apostles — Syriac church order
  7. Acts of Judas Thomas — Thomas in India, Hymn of the Pearl
  8. Book of the Laws of the Countries — Bardaisan’s dialogue on fate
  9. Dialogue on Fate — Free will and determinism
  10. Apology of Aristides — Early apology preserved in Syriac
  11. Passion of S. Simeon bar Sabba’e — Martyrdom of the bishop
  12. Odes of Solomon (already listed; Syriac origin)

Texts from the religion of Mani (3rd century CE)

  1. Shabuhragan — Mani’s book for Shapur I
  2. Ardhang (Picture-Book) — Illustrated Manichaean scripture
  3. Kephalaia — “Chapter” collection of Mani’s teachings
  4. Homilies — Manichaean sermons
  5. Psalm-Book — Manichaean hymns and prayers
  6. Gospel of Mani — Mani’s own gospel
  7. Treasure of Life — Manichaean cosmological text
  8. Pragmateia — Manichaean theological treatise
  9. Book of Giants (Manichaean version) — Enochic material adapted by Mani
  10. Letters of Mani — Correspondence with communities

PART XV: MANDAEAN SCRIPTURES

Texts of the Mandaean (Nasorean) tradition

  1. Ginza Rabba (Great Treasure) — Mandaean holy book, right and left volumes
  2. Qolasta (Canonical Prayerbook) — Liturgical prayers
  3. Haran Gawaita — History of the Nasoreans
  4. Alma Rišaia Rba (The Great Supreme World) — Cosmological text
  5. Alma Rišaia Zuta (The Small Supreme World) — Companion text
  6. Diwan Abatur — Scroll of Abatur, heavenly judge
  7. Book of John (Drāša ḏ-Yahia) — Mandaean John the Baptist traditions

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Lost Gospels and Fragments

  • Gospel of Matthias
  • Gospel of Cerinthus
  • Gospel of Basilides (fragments)
  • Gospel of Apelles
  • Gospel of Bardesanes
  • Gospel of Thaddaeus
  • Gospel of the Encratites
  • Gospel of the Ophites
  • Gospel of Saturninus (fragments)
  • Gospel of the Naassenes
  • Gospel of the Carpocratians
  • Gospel of Cerdo
  • Gospel of Lucian
  • Gospel of Hesychius
  • Gospel of Merinthus
  • Gospel of the Hebrews (additional fragments)

Appendix B: Patristic References to Lost Texts

  • Memoirs of the Apostles (Papias)
  • Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord (Papias)
  • Preaching of Peter
  • Kerygma of John
  • Traditions of Matthias
  • Apocalypse of Cerinthus
  • Apocalypse of Elchasai
  • Gospel of the Egyptians (additional fragments)
  • Book of James (Protevangelium, additional recensions)

Appendix C: Canonical Status by Tradition

TextJewishCatholicOrthodoxProtestantEthiopianQumranNag Hammadi
Genesis–DeuteronomyCanonCanonCanonCanonCanonCanon—
Tobit—CanonCanonApocryphaCanon——
1 Enoch————CanonFragments—
Jubilees————CanonMultiple—
Gospel of Thomas——————Canon (Gnostic)
Gospel of Mary——————Canon (Gnostic)
1 Clement———————
Didache———————
Shepherd of Hermas———————

Appendix D: Chronological Order of Composition (Approximate)

  • 10th–6th century BCE: Core Torah, Former Prophets, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Twelve
  • 6th–4th century BCE: Latter Prophets finalized, Ketuvim compiled, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles
  • 3rd–2nd century BCE: Septuagint translation begins, Sirach, 1 Enoch (earliest parts), Tobit, Jubilees
  • 2nd–1st century BCE: 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Psalms of Solomon, Dead Sea Scrolls sectarian texts
  • 1st century BCE–1st century CE: New Testament gospels and epistles, Odes of Solomon, Testament of Solomon
  • 1st–2nd century CE: Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter, Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, 1 Clement
  • 2nd–3rd century CE: Nag Hammadi texts, Acts of Paul, Apocalypse of Peter, most NT Apocrypha
  • 3rd–4th century CE: Nag Hammadi codices compiled, Manichaean texts, patristic collections
  • 4th–5th century CE: Vulgate, Peshitta, canon debates at councils
  • Medieval: Josippon, Zohar, additional Ethiopian texts

Index compiled from the Jewish Bible, Septuagint, Vulgate, Peshitta, Ethiopian Orthodox canon, Dead Sea Scrolls, Nag Hammadi Library, New Testament Apocrypha, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Samaritan tradition, and related sources.

Total entries: 320 primary texts + 3 appendices