apocrypha of the old testament, reliability of the Bible, archeology

The apocryphal books of the Old Testament and History of the Bible

The same people and events that are mentioned in the pages of the Bible also appear in other sources, such as the apocryphal books of the Old Testament. Read more here

When it comes to naturalistic theories about the early stages of the universe and life, they are characterized by the absence of clear scientific evidence. So when God is rejected as creator, people have to resort to theories that are based on imagination. Such theories include the world’s beginning from nothingness, the onset of galaxy formation by itself, birth of the Solar System and the Earth by themselves, and the beginning of life. There is not one shred of evidence that these things could have come into being without a living God. These theories of imagination based on naturalism are needed only because atheistic scientists do not accept the obvious fact that God created everything.

What about the history of the Bible? It is true, we cannot affirm any historical events to the same extent as laboratory exams can confirm or disprove facts. Still, there is plenty of evidence for the Bible's historicity. Thousands of archaeological and textual finds and signs in nature show that the Bible is based on real history. This is also true of the first eleven chapters of Genesis, which mention the flood and the mixing of languages. They are not fairy tales, but the same things are told in other sources. These are historical events, as is the case with the entire Bible, along with the gospels that tell about Jesus.

The following lines examine the apocryphal books of the Old Testament. They are not part of the Bible and are not considered equal, but they contain a lot of interesting and useful reading. Perhaps their greatest value lies precisely in the fact that they support the real history of the Bible. They refer to the same events, persons and places that the Bible also mentions, so there is a reason to consider the Bible's descriptions as real history. That is why we are going to study these apocryphal books of the Old Testament.

God created man. If you read evolution literature, they mention that man evolved from ape-like creatures.

So what does the evidence point to? In reality, only two classes are known in fossils: man and common apes. The first category is represented by Homo Erectus, Neanderthals and ordinary modern humans. The latter category is represented by Australopithecus, which contains almost all the remains of "ape-men".

Why such a division into only two categories? There is a clear reason for that. Many leading researchers have said outright that the Australopithecus class is clearly more similar to modern apes than to ordinary humans. The size of their skull is usually only a quarter of the size of a modern human's brain (e.g. the well-known Lucy) and the body structure is similar to that of modern apes.

Second, several leading researchers have admitted that there is not enough of a difference between Homo Erectus, Neanderthal man, and ordinary modern man. This is supported by several cultural finds, skull size and body structure. Some researchers, such as Milford Wolpoff of the University of Michigan, have therefore long said that Neanderthals and erectus should not be classified as different species than us. They should be considered ordinary people. What makes this evolutionist paleontologist's statement remarkable is that he is said to have seen more of the original hominid fossil record than anyone else.

And what do the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament tell about the origin of man? They mention, as in the Bible, that God created man in his own image. He created Adam and Eve, from whom the entire human race is descended. This is real history:

- (Wisdom of Salomon 2:23) For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 10:1-3) She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,

2 And gave him power to rule all things.

3 But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.

- (Tobit 8:6) Thou madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for an helper and stay: of them came mankind: thou hast said, It is not good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself.

- (Sirach 15:14) He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel;

- (Sirach 17:1-13) The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.

2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.

3 He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,

4 And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.

5 They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.]

6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.

7 Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.

8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works.

9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.

10 And the elect shall praise his holy name.

11 Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.

12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgments.

13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.

- (Sirach 33:10,11) And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:

11 In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse.

- (Sirach 40:1) Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.

- (Sirach 49:16) Sem and Seth were in great honour among men, and so was Adam above every living thing in creation.

The Fall of man. Many ask, what is the origin of evil and suffering in the world? The Bible gives a simple answer to this: the Fall. Practical evidence proves this, but it is also referred to in the folklore of nations. In addition, the apocryphal books of the Old Testament refer to the same event. This is real history as opposed to assumptions of millions of years and slow evolution.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 2:23,24) For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity.

24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.

- (Sirach 14:17) All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.

- (Sirach 25:24) Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.

The Flood. As stated, atheist scientists believe in millions of years and slow evolution. They also believe that the layers of the earth have slowly, over tens of millions of years, layered on top of each other.

However, the earth's deposits – most of them – can be explained in a simpler way: by the Flood. Or if the strata were layered on top of each other over millions of years, there should be clear signs of erosion at the interface of each strata. For example, one heavy rain can carve deep furrows into the earth's surface, and if you take millions of years into account, there should be plenty of such furrows. However, furrows and no signs of erosion can be observed at the interfaces of the deposits. What is causing this? There is a simple explanation for that: the deposits have accumulated on top of each other so quickly that erosion has not had time to occur. Such rapid accumulation of layers on top of each other could happen precisely in a disaster like the Flood. Today, scientists themselves admit that the formation of deposits is most likely in disasters. This was the case in the destruction of St. Helens in the 1980s. At that time, in just a few days, more than a hundred meters of new strata were formed.

What about other evidence for the Flood? Such evidence is the remains of marine animals and plants found in all high mountains (Himalayas, Andes, Alps...). If this is not enough evidence for the Flood, what is? In addition, there are about half a thousand flood stories that have been found in different parts of the world. The Apocryphal books of the Old Testament also tell about the same event:

- (Wisdom of Salomon 10: 4) For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 14: 6) For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation.

- (Sirach 40:10) These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.

- (Sirach 44:17,18) Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange [for the world;] therefore was he left as a remnant unto the earth, when the flood came.

18 An everlasting covenant was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more by the flood.

The confusion of languages is something that is referred to in the folklore of nations, but it and the Flood are also referred to in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 10:4,5) For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value.

5 Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son.

Enoch was one of the righteous, and he was taken up to heaven from earth. He is also mentioned in the book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus):

- (Sirach 44:16) Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations.

- (Sirach 49:14) But upon the earth was no man created like Enoch; for he was taken from the earth.

Giants. The Bible tells, how before and after the Flood there were giants. Goliath was one of them. The following Apocryphal book of the Old Testament also refer to these giants:

- (Sirach 16:7) He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

- (Baruch 3:26-28) There were the giants famous from the beginning, that were of so great stature, and so expert in war.

27 Those did not the Lord choose, neither gave he the way of knowledge unto them:

28 But they were destroyed, because they had no wisdom, and perished through their own foolishness.

- (1 Macc 4:29,30) So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.

30 And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armourbearer;

Dragons. When it comes to dinosaurs and their existence on the planet, we are constantly told by television programs and magazines that they went extinct more than 65 million years ago.

This notion, however, cannot be right. Dinosaur fossils contain many indicators that prove against millions of years. Dinosaur bones have been found to contain blood cells [Morell, V., Dino DNA: The Hunt and the Hype, Science 261 (5118): 160-162, 1993], hemoglobin, soft tissues, fragile proteins and DNA [Sarfati, J. DNA and bone cells found in dinosaur bone, J. Creation(1):10-12, 2013; creation.com/dino-dna, 11 december 2012], as well as radiocarbon (http://newgeology.us /presentation48.html). These findings are peculiar, because, e.g., the official half-life of radiocarbon is only 5730 years and the half-life of DNA is calculated to be 521 years (facts about half-lives were reported in news called: DNA:n säilyvyyden takaraja selvisi – haaveet dinosaurusten kloonaamisesta raukesivat [The last limit of DNA preservation was found - dreams of cloning dinosaurs ended]; yle.fi > Uutiset > Tiede, 13/10/2012). Thus, if DNA is still left in dinosaur fossils, as well as radiocarbon, then the age of the fossils can only be a few millennia at most.

What about humans’ descriptions of the dinosaurs? The term ‘dinosaur’ was not coined until the 19^th century, but there are old folktales describing large dragons and lizards, which share a striking resemblance to dinosaurs. The World Book Encyclopedia (Vol. 5, 1973, p. 265) explains these descriptions: ”The dragons in legends are, strangely enough, just like real animals that lived in the past. They resemble large reptiles (dinosaurs) that ruled the land long before man is supposed to have appeared. Dragons were generally regarded as bad and destructive. Each nation referred to them in their mythology.”

Another example indicating that dragons might have actually been dinosaurs, comes from the Chinese zodiac. It is known to be centuries old. The system is based on twelve animal signs, which are repeated in 12-year cycles, hence the involvement of twelve different animals. Eleven of them are also known today: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Whereas, the twelfth animal, a dragon, no longer exists. We should be asking, why would the dragon be an exception as a fictional animal, when the rest are real. Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to assume it used to live with the humans in the past, but later went extinct like countless of other animals have? It should be kept in mind that the name ‘dinosaur’ was invented in the 19^th century by Richard Owen. Before that people used to call them dragons.

The Bible also mentions the term ‘dragon’ several times (e.g. Ps 74:13 You did divide the sea by your strength: you brake the heads of the dragons in the waters.). There is an interesting comment relating to this topic by the late fossil researcher Stephen Jay Gould, who was a Marxist atheist. He stated that the only animal fitting the description of Behemoth from the Book of Job is the dinosaur (Pandans Tumme, p. 221, Ordfrontsförlag, 1987). As an evolutionist he believed that who wrote the book of Job, must have gathered their knowledge from fossils. However, this book that is one of the oldest in the Bible clearly refers to a living animal (Job 40:15-23 Behold now behemoth, which I made with you; he eats grass as an ox.…).

What about the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament? They, too, contain several mentions of the dragon, which were seen as real animals, rather than fictional creatures. The author of the Book of Sirach writes how he would rather live with a lion and a dragon, than with his evil wife. Additions to the Book of Esther tell about the dream of Mordecai (Mordecai of the Bible), when he saw two large dragons. Daniel was also faced with a giant dragon, which was worshiped by the Babylonians. This shows how these animals may have grown to very large proportions.

- (Sirach 25:16) I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 16:10) But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them.

- (Sirach 43:25) For therein be strange and wondrous works, variety of all kinds of beasts and whales created.

- (Additions to Esther 1:1,4,5,6) Mordecai, a Jew who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, was taken into exile, along with King Jehoiachin of Judah, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia captured Jerusalem. Mordecai was the son of Jair, a descendant of Kish and Shimei.

4 He dreamed that there was great noise and confusion, loud thunder, and an earthquake, with terrible turmoil on the earth.

5 Then two huge dragons appeared, ready to fight each other.

6 They made a dreadful noise, and all the nations got ready to make war against God's nation of righteous people.

- (Additions to Daniel, Bel and the Dragon 1:23-30) And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.

24 And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.

25 Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship the Lord my God: for he is the living God.

26 But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave.

27 Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon's mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.

28 When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death.

29 So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.

30 Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, he delivered Daniel unto them:

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob also get a mention in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament, in addition to appearing in the Bible. They were real historical figures, as the Jews have always considered them as their ancestors. This comes apparent from the following mentions:

- (Judith 8: 26) Remember what things he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother's brother.

- (Tobit 4: 12) Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a wife of the seed of thy fathers, and take not a strange woman to wife, which is not of thy father's tribe: for we are the children of the prophets, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: remember, my son, that our fathers from the beginning, even that they all married wives of their own kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.

- (Sirach 44:19,21-22) Abraham was a great father of many people: in glory was there none like unto him;

21 Therefore he assured him by an oath, that he would bless the nations in his seed, and that he would multiply him as the dust of the earth, and exalt his seed as the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the river unto the utmost part of the land.

22 With Isaac did he establish likewise [for Abraham his father's sake] the blessing of all men, and the covenant, And made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes did he part them.

- (1 Macc 2:51,52) Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.

52 Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?

- (1 Macc 12:19-21) And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

- (2 Macc 1:1,2) The brethren, the Jews that be at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish unto the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt health and peace:

2 God be gracious unto you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants;

- (Prayer of Azariah 1:12,13) And cause not thy mercy to depart from us, for thy beloved Abraham's sake, for thy servant Issac's sake, and for thy holy Israel's sake;

13 To whom thou hast spoken and promised, that thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore.

- (Prayer of Manasseh 1:1) O Lord, Almighty God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed;

Tribes. Above, we talked about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But what about the twelve tribes of Israel? They were the twelve sons of Jacob, from whom all Jews descent from. For example, Jesus belonged to the tribe of Judah, and Paul to the tribe of Benjamin, which means that the tribes were still known at that time. Moreover, these tribes can be seen in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament:

- (Tobit 1:3-6) I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians.

4 And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.

5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

6 But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron.

- (Sirach 36:11) Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from the beginning.

- (Sirach 44:22) With Isaac did he establish likewise [for Abraham his father's sake] the blessing of all men, and the covenant, And made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes did he part them.

- (Sirach 45:25) According to the covenant made with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Juda, that the inheritance of the king should be to his posterity alone: so the inheritance of Aaron should also be unto his seed.

- (2 Macc 3:4) But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.

- (Additions to Esther 1:1,4,5) Mordecai, a Jew who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin…Mordecai was the son of Jair, a descendant of Kish and Shimei.

Joseph was one of Jacob’s sons. He is also referred to in the Apocrypha:

- (Sirach 49: 15) Neither was there a young man born like Joseph, a governor of his brethren, a stay of the people, whose bones were regarded of the Lord.

- (1 Macc 2:53) Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt.

Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, also known as Esau. The Bible talks about the Moabitess and the Ammonites, who were descendant of Lot. Esau, on the other hand, was the brother of Jacob. They are also mentioned in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament:

- (Judith 1:12) Therefore Nabuchodonosor was very angry with all this country, and sware by his throne and kingdom, that he would surely be avenged upon all those coasts of Cilicia, and Damascus, and Syria, and that he would slay with the sword all the inhabitants of the land of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and all Judea, and all that were in Egypt, till ye come to the borders of the two seas.

- (Judith 7: 8) Then came unto him all the chief of the children of Esau, and all the governors of the people of Moab, and the captains of the sea coast, and said,

- (2 Macc 4: 26) Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being undermined by another, was compelled to flee into the country of the Ammonites.

Sodom and Gomorrah are ancient places. These names are mentioned in old historical documents besides the Bible. Furthermore, Jesus and the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament also refer to these places that were severely corrupted by evil.

- (Wisdom of Salomon10:6-8) When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.

7 Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul.

8 For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 19:17) Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors.

- (Sirach 16:8,9) Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

9 He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

- (Sirach 39:23,24) As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath.

24 As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked.

Wickedness of the Canaanites. Nowadays many abortions are being carried out and tens of millions of babies get killed. How does this relate to the Canaanites? These people killed their innocent children, which can be compared to modern abortion practice. We should be asking, could the same wrath of God fall upon us, as did on the Canaanites? The following quotation talks about the wickedness of the Canaanites:

- (Wisdom of Salomon 12:3-6,8,10-12) For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those old inhabitants of thy holy land,

4 Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts, and wicked sacrifices;

5 And also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of man's flesh, and the feasts of blood,

6 With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents, that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help:

8 Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of thine host, to destroy them by little and little.

10 But executing thy judgments upon them by little and little, thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that their cogitation would never be changed.

11 For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst thou for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned.

12 For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, whom thou made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?

Exodus from Egypt, plagues and the miracles in the wilderness. Liberal theologians are often skeptical towards the miracles mentioned in the Bible. These miracles include the plagues in Egypt and the wonders people witnessed in the wilderness. These events are constantly come up in the latter books of the Bible and also in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament. These numerous accounts evidence the real historical nature of these events:

- (Judith 5:10-13) But when a famine covered all the land of Chanaan, they went down into Egypt, and sojourned there, while they were nourished, and became there a great multitude, so that one could not number their nation.

11 Therefore the king of Egypt rose up against them, and dealt subtilly with them, and brought them low with labouring in brick, and made them slaves.

12 Then they cried unto their God, and he smote all the land of Egypt with incurable plagues: so the Egyptians cast them out of their sight.

13 And God dried the Red sea before them,

- (Wisdom of Salomon 10:15-19) She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them.

16 She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;

17 Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season;

18 Brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water:

19 But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 16: 2,20) Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite:

20. Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels' food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour, able to content every man's delight, and agreeing to every taste.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 18:3,5,20-22) Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably.

4 For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.

5 And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.

20 Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long.

21 For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant.

22 So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 19:7-12) As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:

8 Wherethrough all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders.

9 For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.

10 For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.

11 But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats.

12 For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment.

- (Sirach 38:5) Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be known?

- (Sirach 39:17) And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.

- (Sirach 45:1-3) And he brought out of him a merciful man, which found favour in the sight of all flesh, even Moses, beloved of God and men, whose memorial is blessed.

2 He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.

3 By his words he caused the wonders to cease, and he made him glorious in the sight of kings, and gave him a commandment for his people, and shewed him part of his glory.

- (Baruch 1:19,20) Since the day that the Lord brought our forefathers out of the land of Egypt, unto this present day, we have been disobedient unto the Lord our God, and we have been negligent in not hearing his voice.

20 Wherefore the evils cleaved unto us, and the curse, which the Lord appointed by Moses his servant at the time that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land that floweth with milk and honey, like as it is to see this day.

- (Baruch 2:11) And now, O Lord God of Israel, that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and high arm, and with signs, and with wonders, and with great power, and hast gotten thyself a name, as appeareth this day:

- (1 Macc 4:8,9) Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.

9 Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army.

- (Additions to Esther 4:18,19,25) Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to mind what the Lord had done in the past:

19 "O Lord, you are the Lord and King of all creation, and everything obeys your commands. If you wish to save Israel, no one can stop you.

25 "And now, O Lord, God and King, God of Abraham, spare your people; save us from our enemies. They are determined to destroy us; they are looking for a chance. Long ago you chose us to be your people and rescued us from the land of Egypt. Do not abandon us now.

Moses was a leader, who led the people to the border of their promised land. In addition, it was through him that the people received the law, which was known for centuries after. The Apocryphal books of the Old Testament also refer to Moses and the law:

- (Sirach 24:23) All these things are the book of the covenant of the most high God, even the law which Moses commanded for an heritage unto the congregations of Jacob.

- (Sirach 44:23-45:1-5) With Isaac did he establish likewise [for Abraham his father's sake] the blessing of all men, and the covenant, And made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes did he part them.

1 And he brought out of him a merciful man, which found favour in the sight of all flesh, even Moses, beloved of God and men, whose memorial is blessed.

2 He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.

3 By his words he caused the wonders to cease, and he made him glorious in the sight of kings, and gave him a commandment for his people, and shewed him part of his glory.

4 He sanctified him in his faithfuless and meekness, and chose him out of all men.

5 He made him to hear his voice, and brought him into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments before his face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Jacob his covenants, and Israel his judgments.

- (Baruch 1:19,20) Since the day that the Lord brought our forefathers out of the land of Egypt, unto this present day, we have been disobedient unto the Lord our God, and we have been negligent in not hearing his voice.

20 Wherefore the evils cleaved unto us, and the curse, which the Lord appointed by Moses his servant at the time that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land that floweth with milk and honey, like as it is to see this day.

- (2 Macc 1:29) Plant thy people again in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken.

- (2 Macc 2:7,8) Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.

8 Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.

Aaron, high priest and Levites. Aaron, the high priest, was actually the brother of Moses. They were of the tribe of the Levites like other priests. However, even centuries later, there were high priests in Israel. They are mentioned in the New Testament, as well as in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament:

- (Judith 15: 8) Then Joacim the high priest, and the ancients of the children of Israel that dwelt in Jerusalem, came to behold the good things that God had shewed to Israel, and to see Judith, and to salute her.

- (Tobit 1:5-7) Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

7 The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem:

- (Sirach 36:17) O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God.

- (Sirach 45:6,7,10,13-16) He exalted Aaron, an holy man like unto him, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi.

7 An everlasting covenant he made with him and gave him the priesthood among the people; he beautified him with comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory.

10 With an holy garment, with gold, and blue silk, and purple, the work of the embroidere, with a breastplate of judgment, and with Urim and Thummim;

13 Before him there were none such, neither did ever any stranger put them on, but only his children and his children's children perpetually.

14 Their sacrifices shall be wholly consumed every day twice continually.

15 Moses consecrated him, and anointed him with holy oil: this was appointed unto him by an everlasting covenant, and to his seed, so long as the heavens should remain, that they should minister unto him, and execute the office of the priesthood, and bless the people in his name.

16 He chose him out of all men living to offer sacrifices to the Lord, incense, and a sweet savour, for a memorial, to make reconciliation for his people.

- (1 Macc 10:32) And as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the high priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.

- (1 Macc 14:38,41) King Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things,

41 Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet;

Joshua and Caleb lived at the time of Moses and stood out from the majority of their people because of their faith and bravery. They are mentioned centuries after in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament:

- (Sirach 46: 1,4,5,7-9) Jesus the son a Nave was valiant in the wars, and was the successor of Moses in prophecies, who according to his name was made great for the saving of the elect of God, and taking vengeance of the enemies that rose up against them, that he might set Israel in their inheritance.

4 Did not the sun go back by his means? and was not one day as long as two?

5 He called upon the most high Lord, when the enemies pressed upon him on every side; and the great Lord heard him.

7 In the time of Moses also he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephunne, in that they withstood the congregation, and withheld the people from sin, and appeased the wicked murmuring.

8 And of six hundred thousand people on foot, they two were preserved to bring them in to the heritage, even unto the land that floweth with milk and honey.

9 The Lord gave strength also unto Caleb, which remained with him unto his old age: so that he entered upon the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an heritage:

- (1 Macc 2:55,56) Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.

56 Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land.

Sabbath and feasts. At the beginning of Genesis, a seven-day week comes into play. It refers to creation, because God in that time created everything. It did not take millions of years, but only six days. Significantly, the seven-day week has been familiar to peoples living in different parts of the world since time immemorial. It has appeared for millennia and worldwide, so its genesis is difficult to explain other than by the fact that it is an early inheritance from common ancestors. It refers to how people in ancient times were aware of God's creation, which took place over a short period of time and only a few millennia ago. Ideas of millions of years can be scrapped. The sabbath also relates to the seven-day week. It is the day of rest, according to ancient tradition. It, and other Jewish feasts, have been referred to in, at least, the following Apocryphal books of the Old Testament:

- (Judith 8: 6) And she fasted all the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the sabbaths, and the sabbaths, and the eves of the new moons, and the new moons and the feasts and solemn days of the house of Israel.

- (Tobit 2:1) Now when I was come home again, and my wife Anna was restored unto me, with my son Tobias, in the feast of Pentecost, which is the holy feast of the seven weeks, there was a good dinner prepared me, in the which I sat down to eat.

- (1 Macc 1:38,39) Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.

39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.

- (1 Macc 6: 49,53) But with them that were in Bethsura he made peace: for they came out of the city, because they had no victuals there to endure the siege, it being a year of rest to the land.

53 Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals, (for that it was the seventh year, and they in Judea that were delivered from the Gentiles, had eaten up the residue of the store;)

- (1 Macc 10: 34) Furthermore I will that all the feasts, and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and the three days before the feast, and the three days after the feast shall be all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm.

- (2 Macc 1:8,9) And burned the porch, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed unto the Lord, and were heard; we offered also sacrifices and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.

9 And now see that ye keep the feast of tabernacles in the month Casleu.

- (2 Macc 12:31,32) They gave them thanks, desiring them to be friendly still unto them: and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks approaching.

32 And after the feast, called Pentecost, they went forth against Gorgias the governor of Idumea,

The temple was a quintessential part of the Jewish worship. The first temple was built by Solomon, the son of David, but it was destroyed centuries later by the king Nebuchadnezzar. The Apocrypha of the Old Testament talk about the first temple, its destruction, and the latter temple:

- (Judith 5:17-19) And whilst they sinned not before their God, they prospered, because the God that hateth iniquity was with them.

18 But when they departed from the way which he appointed them, they were destroyed in many battles very sore, and were led captives into a land that was not their's, and the temple of their God was cast to the ground, and their cities were taken by the enemies.

19 But now are they returned to their God, and are come up from the places where they were scattered, and have possessed Jerusalem, where their sanctuary is, and are seated in the hill country; for it was desolate.

- (Wisdom of Salomon 9: 8) Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.

4 And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.

5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

- (Tobit 14:4,5) Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineve, that it shall be overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;

5 And that again God will have mercy on them, and bring them again into the land, where they shall build a temple, but not like to the first, until the time of that age be fulfilled; and afterward they shall return from all places of their captivity, and build up Jerusalem gloriously, and the house of God shall be built in it for ever with a glorious building, as the prophets have spoken thereof.

- (Sirach 36:13,14) O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest.

14 Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory:

- (Sirach 47:13) Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that he might build an house in his name, and prepare his sanctuary for ever.

- (2 Macc 5:15-17) Yet was he not content with this, but presumed to go into the most holy temple of all the world; Menelaus, that traitor to the laws, and to his own country, being his guide:

16 And taking the holy vessels with polluted hands, and with profane hands pulling down the things that were dedicated by other kings to the augmentation and glory and honour of the place, he gave them away.

17 And so haughty was Antiochus in mind, that he considered not that the Lord was angry for a while for the sins of them that dwelt in the city, and therefore his eye was not upon the place.

David was the ancestor of Jesus and the most famous king of Israel, along with his son Solomon. He was a true historical figure, as evidenced by the fact that he is repeatedly referred to in the Apocrypha books of the Old Testament:

- (Sirach 45:25) According to the covenant made with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Juda, that the inheritance of the king should be to his posterity alone: so the inheritance of Aaron should also be unto his seed.

- (Sirach 47:1-4,8,9) And after him rose up Nathan to prophesy in the time of David.

2 As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was David chosen out of the children of Israel.

3 He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs.

4 Slew he not a giant, when he was yet but young? and did he not take away reproach from the people, when he lifted up his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath?

8 In all his works he praised the Holy One most high with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved him that made him.

9 He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs.

- (Sirach 49:4,5) All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed.

5 Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a strange nation.

- (1 Macc 1:33) Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.

- (1 Macc 2:57) David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.

- (1 Macc 4:30) And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armourbearer;

Solomon was the son of David, known for his proverbs, wisdom and building the temple. The Book of Sirach refers to him:

- (Sirach 47:12-21,23,24) After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he dwelt at large.

13 Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that he might build an house in his name, and prepare his sanctuary for ever.

14 How wise wast thou in thy youth and, as a flood, filled with understanding!

15 Thy soul covered the whole earth, and thou filledst it with dark parables.

16 Thy name went far unto the islands; and for thy peace thou wast beloved.

17 The countries marvelled at thee for thy songs, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations.

18 By the name of the Lord God, which is called the Lord God of Israel, thou didst gather gold as tin and didst multiply silver as lead.

19 Thou didst bow thy loins unto women, and by thy body thou wast brought into subjection.

20 Thou didst stain thy honour, and pollute thy seed: so that thou broughtest wrath upon thy children, and wast grieved for thy folly.

21 So the kingdom was divided, and out of Ephraim ruled a rebellious kingdom.

23 Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and of his seed he left behind him Roboam, even the foolishness of the people, and one that had no understanding, who turned away the people through his counsel. There was also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin:

24 And their sins were multiplied exceedingly, that they were driven out of the land.

Ezekias and the water tunnel. According to the Bible, Ezekias was one of the righteous rulers of Judea, and he also contributed to the building of Jerusalem.

A peculiar discovery has been made in relation to him; for an water tunnel about 520 metres long, known by his name, has been excavated from Jerusalem - a tunnel which was initially built in case of a siege in order to bring water into the city. Moreover, an engraved six-line inscription was found in the other end of the tunnel in 1880. This text records the completion of the tunnel, a momentous moment for the workers, when they finally reached each other deep inside the Ophel mountain. The Book of Sirach also talks about the building of this water tunnel:

- (Sirach 48:17) Ezekias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof: he digged the hard rock with iron, and made wells for waters.

The gold of Ophir is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Although locating this place has been unsuccessful, there is indirect proof of its existence. A shard of a clay pot., which dates to the eighth century BC, was found at a port on the north side of Tel Aviv. On this shard of a clay pot is written "Gold of Ophir to Beth-Horon: 30 shekels." The same thing can be found in the Book of Sirach:

- (Sirach 7:18) Change not a friend for any good by no means; neither a faithful brother for the gold of Ophir.

Expulsion from the country and forced migration. It was already mentioned through Moses that the Jewish people will be dispersed to different countries because of their sins. This is what actually happened centuries later when the Assyrians, Babylonians and even later the Romans invaded the country. The following Apocryphal books of the Old Testament mention how this matter was a reality at the time of writing:

- (Judith 5:17-19) And whilst they sinned not before their God, they prospered, because the God that hateth iniquity was with them.

18 But when they departed from the way which he appointed them, they were destroyed in many battles very sore, and were led captives into a land that was not their's, and the temple of their God was cast to the ground, and their cities were taken by the enemies.

- (Tobit 3:3,4) Remember me, and look on me, punish me not for my sins and ignorances, and the sins of my fathers, who have sinned before thee:

4 For they obeyed not thy commandments: wherefore thou hast delivered us for a spoil, and unto captivity, and unto death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed.

- (Tobit 13:3-5) Confess him before the Gentiles, ye children of Israel: for he hath scattered us among them.

4 There declare his greatness, and extol him before all the living: for he is our Lord, and he is the God our Father for ever.

5 And he will scourge us for our iniquities, and will have mercy again, and will gather us out of all nations, among whom he hath scattered us.

- (Tobit 14:4,5) Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineve, that it shall be overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;

- (Sirach 48:15) For all this the people repented not, neither departed they from their sins, till they were spoiled and carried out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth: yet there remained a small people, and a ruler in the house of David:

- (Baruch 2:2,4,28,29) To bring upon us great plagues, such as never happened under the whole heaven, as it came to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that were written in the law of Moses;

4 Moreover he hath delivered them to be in subjection to all the kingdoms that are round about us, to be as a reproach and desolation among all the people round about, where the Lord hath scattered them.

28 As thou spakest by thy servant Moses in the day when thou didst command him to write the law before the children of Israel, saying,

29 If ye will not hear my voice, surely this very great multitude shall be turned into a small number among the nations, where I will scatter them.

- (2 Macc 2:17,18) We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,

18 As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.

References to prophets. The Bible mentions several prophets with different names. Evidence that they are real historical figures is the fact that they are repeatedly referred to in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament

- (Tobit 2:6) Remembering that prophecy of Amos, as he said, Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your mirth into lamentation.

- (Tobit 14:4,5,8) Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineve, that it shall be overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;

8 And now, my son, depart out of Nineve, because that those things which the prophet Jonas spake shall surely come to pass.

- (Sirach 46:13-15) Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, beloved of his Lord, established a kingdom, and anointed princes over his people.

14 By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the Lord had respect unto Jacob.

15 By his faithfulness he was found a true prophet, and by his word he was known to be faithful in vision.

- (Sirach 48:1-9) Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his word burned like a lamp.

2 He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.

3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and also three times brought down fire.

4 O Elias, how wast thou honoured in thy wondrous deeds! and who may glory like unto thee!

5 Who didst raise up a dead man from death, and his soul from the place of the dead, by the word of the most High:

6 Who broughtest kings to destruction, and honorable men from their bed:

7 Who heardest the rebuke of the Lord in Sinai, and in Horeb the judgment of vengeance:

8 Who annointedst kings to take revenge, and prophets to succeed after him:

9 Who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire, and in a chariot of fiery horses:

- (Sirach 48:22-25) For Ezekias had done the thing that pleased the Lord, and was strong in the ways of David his father, as Esay the prophet, who was great and faithful in his vision, had commanded him.

23 In his time the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.

24 He saw by an excellent spirit what should come to pass at the last, and he comforted them that mourned in Sion.

25 He shewed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things or ever they came.

- (Sirach 49:6-8) They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets desolate, according to the prophecy of Jeremias.

7 For they entreated him evil, who nevertheless was a prophet, sanctified in his mother's womb, that he might root out, and afflict, and destroy; and that he might build up also, and plant.

8 It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.

- (1 Macc 2:58-61) Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven.

59 Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame.

60 Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions.

61 And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome.

- (2 Macc 15:12-14) And this was his vision: That Onias, who had been high priest, a virtuous and a good man, reverend in conversation, gentle in condition, well spoken also, and exercised from a child in all points of virtue, holding up his hands prayed for the whole body of the Jews.

13 This done, in like manner there appeared a man with gray hairs, and exceeding glorious, who was of a wonderful and excellent majesty.

14 Then Onias answered, saying, This is a lover of the brethren, who prayeth much for the people, and for the holy city, to wit, Jeremias the prophet of God.

Israel and Jerusalem. Nowadays some people want to deny the Jews’ right to the land areas of Israel and Jerusalem. However, the Jews have lived in Jerusalem and in the current area of Israel for thousands of years. For instance, the Quran does not have any mentions of Jerusalem, whereas the name comes up multiple times in the pages of Bible. The Apocryphal books of the Old Testament have also referred to Israel and Jerusalem:

- (Judith 15: 8) Then Joacim the high priest, and the ancients of the children of Israel that dwelt in Jerusalem, came to behold the good things that God had shewed to Israel, and to see Judith, and to salute her.

- (Sirach 36:15,16) O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest.

14 Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory:

4 And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.

5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

- (Tobit 13:9,10) O Jerusalem, the holy city, he will scourge thee for thy children's works, and will have mercy again on the sons of the righteous.

10 Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: and praise the everlasting King, that his tabernacle may be builded in thee again with joy, and let him make joyful there in thee those that are captives, and love in thee for ever those that are miserable.

- (Sirach 17:17) For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:

- (Sirach 50:23) He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever

- (Baruch 1:1,2) And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Asadias, the son of Chelcias, wrote in Babylon,

2 In the fifth year, and in the seventh day of the month, what time as the Chaldeans took Jerusalem, and burnt it with fire.

- (1 Macc 3:45,46) Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased.

46 Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel.

- (Prayer of Azariah 1:5) In all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, even Jerusalem, thou hast executed true judgment: for according to truth and judgment didst thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins.

Alexander the Great. Now let's move on to other historical events. Alexander the Great is a well-known ruler outside the Bible. He is referred to, among other things: In the books of the Maccabees:

- (1 Macc 1:1-8) And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,

2 And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,

3 And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.

4 And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.

5 And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.

6 Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

7 So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died.

8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place.

- (1 Macc 6:1,2) About that time king Antiochus travelling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;

2 And that there was in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Grecians, had left there.

Romans, Hispania (Spain), Galatians and the Greeks are all people and names that come up in the pages of New Testament. The books of Maccabees tell about an earlier historical phase:

- (1 Macc 8:1-3,17-19) Now Judas had heard of the Romans, that they were mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly accept all that joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that came unto them;

2 And that they were men of great valour. It was told him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians, and how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute;

3 And what they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the silver and gold which is there;

17 In consideration of these things, Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of amity and confederacy with them,

18 And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Israel with servitude.

19 They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said.

Zorobabel, Josedec and Neemias are well-known figures in the Old Testament, but their names also come up in the Apocryphal books of the Old Testament:

- (Sirach 49:11-13) How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was as a signet on the right hand:

12 So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their time builded the house, and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for everlasting glory.

13 And among the elect was Neemias, whose renown is great, who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, and set up the gates and the bars, and raised up our ruins again.

- (2 Macc 1:18-20) Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the temple and the altar.

19 For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that were then devout took the fire of the altar privily, and hid it in an hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.

20 Now after many years, when it pleased God, Neemias, being sent from the king of Persia, did send of the posterity of those priests that had hid it to the fire: but when they told us they found no fire, but thick water;

- (2 Macc 2:13) The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.

The Scythians. Paul, e.g., referred to the Scythians (Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.). Additionally, they are also mentioned in the Second Book of Maccabees:

- (2 Macc 4:47) Insomuch that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations, who notwithstanding was cause of all the mischief: and those poor men, who, if they had told their cause, yea, before the Scythians, should have been judged innocent, them he condemned to death.

Cities and other places. The Apocryphal books of the Old Testament contain several mentions of cities that we know from the New Testament. Such cities include, e.g., Joppa (Acts 9:36, 10:5), Azotus (Acts 8:40), Seleucia (Acts 13:4), Antioch (Acts 11:26), Lydda (Acts 9:32), Cilicia (Acts 6:9), Arabia (Gal 1:17), Gaza (Acts 8:26), Damascus (Acts 9:2, Gal 1:17), Pamphylia (Acts 2:10), Cnidus (Acts 27:7), Cyprus (Acts 4:36), Cyrene (Acts 2:10), Thraseas (Acts 9:30). This shows how places in the New Testament are real locations, which the apostles and disciples visited:

- (1 Macc 10:75) And he pitched his tents against Joppa: but; they of Joppa shut him out of the city, because Apollonius had a garrison there.

- (1 Macc 10:77) Whereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain. because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust.

- (1 Macc 11: 8) King Ptolemee therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander.

- (1 Macc 11:13-16) Then Ptolemee entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt.

14 In the mean season was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him.

15 But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him: whereupon king Ptolemee brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.

16 So Alexander fled into Arabia there to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted:

- (1 Macc 11:28,34) Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents.

34 Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.

- (1 Macc 11:61-63,67) From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.

62 Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed through the country unto Damascus.

63 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,

67 As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes in the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.

- (1 Macc 15:22,23) The same things wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces,

23 And to all the countries and to Sampsames, and the Lacedemonians, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Rhodus, and Aradus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene.

- (2 Macc 3:3-5) Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.

4 But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.

5 And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,