What Are the

Deuterocanonical Books?

The Deuterocanonical books have a rich history tied to the development of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures produced in the 3rd–2nd centuries BC for the Jewish diaspora in Alexandria, Egypt. These books were included in the Septuagint, which was widely used by Hellenistic Jews and later by early Christians. The Library of Alexandria, a major center of scholarship at the time, played a crucial role in the translation and preservation of these texts as part of a broader effort to collect the world's knowledge. While these books were accepted by the early Church and included in the Latin Vulgate by St. Jerome, they were later rejected by most Protestant reformers in the 16th century, who considered them non-canonical due to their absence from the Hebrew Masoretic Text.

The Catholic Church has always accepted the Deuterocanonical books as sacred Scripture, fully inspired by God and part of the canonical Bible. These books are included in the Old Testament and were affirmed by the early Church, most notably at the Council of Rome (AD 382), Council of Hippo (AD 393), and Council of Carthage (AD 397). Their canonical status was definitively reaffirmed at the Council of Trent (1546) in response to the Protestant Reformation.

The term Deuterocanonical ("second canon") refers to the following books and additions:

  1. Tobit

  2. Judith

  3. Wisdom of Solomon

  4. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

  5. Baruch

  6. 1 Maccabees

  7. 2 Maccabees

  8. Additions to Daniel (The Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)

  9. Additions to Esther

These books are found in the Septuagint (LXX)—the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures widely used by Jews in the time of Christ and by the early Church.

Protestant Perspective

Protestants removed these books from their Bibles primarily due to differences in canon formation and theological conflicts with the reformers philosophy against purgatory and prayer for the dead.

Jewish Canon Basis

Protestants typically base the Old Testament canon on the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), which does not include the Deuterocanonical books. These books were written mostly in Greek and were included in the Septuagint (a Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures used widely in the early Church and by Greek-speaking Jews), but not accepted into the official Jewish canon at the Council of Jamnia (~90 A.D.).

Martin Luther’s Influence

During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and other reformers challenged certain Catholic teachings (like purgatory and indulgences), which they believed were supported by texts found only in the Deuterocanonical books (e.g., 2 Maccabees 12). As a result, Luther relegated these books to an appendix, calling them “useful and good to read, but not equal to Scripture.”

Catholic Perspective

The Catholic church accepts these books because they were included in the Septuagint which was used be Jesus and the Apostles

Historical Use in the Early Church

  • The Deuterocanon was used in liturgy, theology, and writings by Church Fathers like St. Augustine, St. Irenaeus, and St. Athanasius.

  • The Septuagint, which contains the Deuterocanon, was the Scripture of the Apostles and early Christians.

Council of Trent (1546)

  • The Church dogmatically reaffirmed the inclusion of these books, declaring them inspired and authoritative.

  • This was a response to Protestant reformers, particularly Martin Luther, who removed them from the canon.

New Testament References

  • While not quoting directly, the New Testament contains allusions and thematic parallels to the Deuterocanon.

    • Example: Hebrews 11:35 references 2 Maccabees 7 (martyrdom and resurrection hope).

    • James 1:13–14 reflects Wisdom 1:13–16 (on temptation and sin).

For Catholics, the Deuterocanonical books are inspired Scripture, containing vital teachings on wisdom, prayer, martyrdom, resurrection, and God’s providence. Their long-standing use in Christian tradition and consistent affirmation by Church authority underline their essential place in the Bible.

Key References and Sources

Catholic Catechism

  • CCC 120: Lists the canonical books including the Deuterocanon.

    “The Church accepts and venerates as inspired the 46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New.”

Early Church Councils

  • Council of Rome (382): Damasine list included the Deuterocanonical books.

  • Council of Carthage (397): Confirmed the canon for use in the Church.

  • Council of Trent (1546): Canonized the Deuterocanon with divine authority.

Church Fathers

  • St. Augustine (On Christian Doctrine, 2.8.13): Supports full use of the Deuterocanon.

  • St. Athanasius accepted the Deuterocanon for devotional use, though he was more selective in canonical lists.

Bruce M. Metzger, An Introduction to the Apocrypha (Oxford, 1957); Lee Martin McDonald, The Biblical Canon: Its Origin, Transmission, and Authority (Hendrickson, 2007); The Letter of Aristeas (circa 2nd century BC), which discusses the translation of the Septuagint in Alexandria.