Otherwise known as Ecclesiasticus, the
Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from
the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar,
son of Sira” (50:27). This seems to be the
earliest title of the book. The designation
Liber Ecclesiasticus, meaning “Church
Book,” appended to some Greek and Latin
manuscripts, is perhaps due to the
extensive use the church made of this book
in presenting moral teaching to
catechumens and to the faithful. The
author, a sage who lived in Jerusalem, was
thoroughly imbued with love for the
wisdom tradition, and also for the law,
priesthood, Temple, and divine worship.
Written in Hebrew in the early years of the
2nd century BC, the book was finished by
approximately 175.
Psalm 151 is a short psalm found in most
copies of the Septuagint but not in the
Hebrew Bible. The Greek title given to this
psalm indicates that it is supernumerary. It
is also included in some manuscripts of the
Peshitta. The psalm concerns the story of
David and Goliath. The Eastern Orthodox
Church, as well as the Coptic Orthodox
Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, and
the Armenian Catholic Church accept
Psalm 151 as deuterocanonical. Psalms
152–155 are found extant in two Syriac
manuscripts and appear to have been
composed in the pre-Christian era. Psalms
154 and 155 have also been found in
Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Psalms
156–160 come from the Great Psalms
Scroll (11Q5) and 4Q88. Probable
interpolations are made in a number of
instances to make the text more readable.
The Bible contains sixty-six books: thirty-nine books in the Old Testament and twenty-seven books in the New Testament. This is the Protestant canon, and it represents the clearest and most defensible collection of books that bear the marks of inspired Scripture. Other traditions include additional writings, but the sixty-six books stand apart because of their prophetic and apostolic authority, doctrinal unity, covenantal recognition, and enduring reception by the people of God.1
The Old Testament canon consists of the books received in the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh). Although Jewish tradition counts these books differently, the content corresponds to the thirty-nine books found in Protestant Old Testaments. The Jewish arrangement often groups books differently, such as combining Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, and the Twelve Minor Prophets, but the substance is the same. This Hebrew canon is the foundation for the Protestant Old Testament.2
The New Testament canon consists of twenty-seven apostolic books: the four Gospels, Acts, thirteen letters of Paul, Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation. These writings were recognized because they were connected to the apostles, faithfully proclaimed the apostolic gospel, and were received by the churches as authoritative. The Church did not create their authority; it recognized the authority they already possessed as apostolic Scripture.3
One of the strongest arguments for the sixty-six-book canon is the distinction between the Hebrew Scriptures and later Jewish writings. The Apocrypha arose largely in the period after the Old Testament prophetic era. While these books can be historically useful, they were not received into the Hebrew Bible. Josephus describes a limited collection of sacred writings and indicates that later books did not possess equal authority because the succession of prophets had ceased.4
Jesus and the apostles also confirm the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus refers to the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms as the Scriptures that testify to Him. He treats the Old Testament as a unified and authoritative body of divine revelation. The New Testament repeatedly quotes the Hebrew Scriptures with formulas such as “it is written,” but it never clearly quotes the Apocrypha as Scripture in this way.5
The claim that “there are many Bibles with different numbers of books, so no one can know the true canon” is overstated. Differences exist, but differences do not eliminate evidence. The sixty-six-book canon is not an arbitrary Protestant reduction. It reflects the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament and the apostolic canon of the New Testament. The additional books in Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions have a more disputed reception history.
The Apocrypha fails to meet the same standards as the protocanonical books. It lacks universal Jewish reception, lacks clear prophetic confirmation, and was disputed by major Christian teachers. Jerome, for example, defended the Hebrew canon and denied that apocryphal books should be used to establish doctrine. The Reformers followed this older distinction rather than inventing a new canon.6
The New Testament canon also developed around apostolic authority. A book had to be written by an apostle or a close associate of the apostles, agree with the rule of faith, and be widely received by the churches. By the fourth century, the twenty-seven-book New Testament was clearly recognized in Athanasius’ Festal Letter and later confirmed in regional councils.7
The sixty-six books also display theological unity. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture presents one redemptive story centered on creation, fall, covenant, promise, Christ, atonement, resurrection, and final restoration. This unity does not prove the canon by itself, but it confirms the coherence of the received books and distinguishes them from later writings that often contain speculative expansions or doctrinal problems.
The existence of many apocryphal and pseudepigraphal books is actually an argument for careful canon recognition, not for expanding the Bible indiscriminately. If every ancient religious writing were treated as a possible biblical book, the canon would become unstable and incoherent. The Church needed discernment precisely because extremely numerous writings claimed religious authority without good warrant.
The sixty-six-book canon is therefore not merely a denominational preference. It is grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures received by Israel and the apostolic writings received by the early Church. The Bible is not an open-ended library of religious literature. It is the inspired collection of books God gave through prophets and apostles.
So how many books are really in the Bible? The most defensible answer is sixty-six. These books alone possess the clearest marks of canonical authority and form the sufficient rule of faith and practice for the Church.
The word “canon” means a rule, standard, or measuring line. Applied to Scripture, it refers to the collection of writings that function as the Church’s authoritative rule of faith. The canon is therefore not simply a table of contents. It is a theological claim about which books are God-breathed and binding on the people of God. This is why the difference between sixty-six books and larger canons matters.
The thirty-nine-book Old Testament is not a rejection of Jewish history between Malachi and Matthew. It is a recognition that the Hebrew Scriptures possess a distinct covenantal authority. The Apocrypha may explain many developments in Jewish life after the exile, but it does not stand on the same level as Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings. The Old Testament canon was not determined by what was interesting about Jewish history, but by what was received as the word of God.
The twenty-seven-book New Testament likewise rests on the apostolic foundation. The apostles were uniquely commissioned witnesses of Christ’s resurrection and authorized teachers of the New Covenant. Books that arose later, even when devotional or popular, could not simply be added to the apostolic foundation. This is why later gospels and acts were rejected even when they attracted attention in some communities.
The sixty-six books also provide a closed and coherent covenantal structure. The Old Testament prepares for Christ through promise, law, prophecy, wisdom, and kingdom history. The New Testament announces Christ’s fulfillment through gospel, apostolic witness, church instruction, and final hope. Adding disputed books as doctrinal authorities risks confusing this structure and weakening the clarity of the canon.
The Protestant Bible contains sixty-six books: thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament.
Why do Catholic Bibles have more books?
Catholic Bibles include deuterocanonical books that Protestants classify as Apocrypha.
Why do Protestants accept only sixty-six books?
Because these books correspond directly to the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) and apostolic New Testament canon. The sixty-six books are determined by 1. prophetic and apostolic authority, 2. theological and doctrinal consistency, and 3. universal acceptance in the Church.
Did Protestants remove books from the Bible?
Protestants rejected the canonical status of disputed books rather than removing universally accepted Scripture. The apocryphal books have been disputed since the earliest centuries, long before the Reformation.
What is the protocanon?
The protocanon refers to books universally recognized as Scripture, unlike disputed deuterocanonical writings.
How many books are in the New Testament?
There are twenty-seven books in the New Testament, and this number is universally recognized.
How many books are in the Old Testament?
The Protestant Old Testament contains thirty-nine books corresponding to the Hebrew Bible, although Catholic and Orthodox Christians add several additional books that are not part of the Hebrew Bible.
Can the canon still grow?
No. The canon is tied to the completed prophetic and apostolic foundation. The account of the history of the world begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. Genesis is the beginning, Revelation is the end, and nothing can be taken away or added to what is an already complete revelation from God to mankind.
Footnotes
1. F. F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 19–27, 117–269.
2. Roger T. Beckwith, The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), 21–44.
3. Michael J. Kruger, Canon Revisited, 161–203.
4. Josephus, Against Apion 1.37–43.
5. Luke 24:44; Beckwith, Old Testament Canon, 110–34.
6. Jerome, “Prologue to the Books of Solomon,” 492–93.
7. Athanasius, Festal Letter 39; Bruce, Canon of Scripture, 208–30.
Discover literally 1,000s of Judeo-Christian texts in the world's largest collection of its kind. With 300 complete and unabridged books in print, including the complete Holy Bible and rare apocryphal texts, plus 1,000s of digital works, dive into history's hidden treasures and transform your understanding of religious history. Presented in clear, accurate, contemporary English, unlike similar collections. The All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha is a record-breaking feat, now submitted to the Guinness World Records as the longest single-volume published book in print in the world. Perfect for scholars and casual readers alike. A massive expansion of the LSV Master Collection, the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha is nearly 2.5 times the length of the Holy Bible in print and includes hundreds of additional works in print and thousands via the Expanded Digital Library, substantially exceeding the Catholic Bible (73 books), Ethiopian Bible (88 to 175 books in print), and even the Cepher (87 books).
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The True, Definitive Collection
Unlike similar volumes with abridged and often poorly-formatted and unprofessionally-collated material, this growing library of 1,000s of ancient works is composed entirely of complete, unabridged, and thoughtfully-arranged works so you get exactly what is advertised. Translated into contemporary English while still achieving accuracy and literalness, the LSV All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha, a massive expansion of the Master Collection, is a breath of fresh air compared to the many antiquated alternatives which use hard-to-read 17th, 18th, and early-19th-century translations. Don't fall for misleading advertising; only the definitive collection by Covenant Press includes what you're looking for.
The Ultimate Bible with Apocrypha
In the annals of biblical scholarship, few projects rival the ambition and scope of the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha (Latin for "The Holy Bible and Beyond"). This monumental collection stands as the largest assemblage of early Judeo-Christian and apocryphal texts ever compiled, encompassing 300 complete and unabridged books and ancient works in its printed form (including the Holy Bible) and an additional and growing collection of thousands of works accessible through the Expanded Digital Library. The 300 print books, as well as Ancient Historia, are rooted in the Literal Standard Version (LSV), a modern translation celebrated for its fidelity to the original languages. The All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha preserves the integrity of these ancient writings while making them accessible to contemporary readers. Beyond its scholarly significance, this collection has been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest single-volume published book in the world in print, a distinction that underscores its unprecedented scale and the dedication of its editors. With its 300 printed books bound into a single volume, the collection is nearly two million words in print and countless millions of words when including the digital material.
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All-in-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha Feature Overview:
Largest collection ever: 1,000s of early Judeo-Christian and apocryphal texts
Print portion: 300 complete books, including the entire Holy Bible
Digital expansion: 1,000s of additional works in the Expanded Digital Library
Trusted translation: Literal Standard Version for accuracy, clarity, and easy reading
Rare finds: Features thousands of ancient works you've likely never heard of
For all readers: Scholars, theologians, historians, and casual readers alike
Interactive video content: Hundreds of relevant videos are accessible in the print volume
Everything you're looking for: Includes Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, Jasher, Jubilees, all the books of Enoch, apocryphal Gospels, ancient historical works, epistles, apocalypses, pseudepigrapha, and much more
The Literal Standard Version as a Foundation
At the heart of the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha (the 300 print books as well as the digital works of Ancient Historia) lies its reliance on the Literal Standard Version, a translation first published in 2020. The LSV is renowned for its commitment to formal equivalence, a methodology that prioritizes word-for-word accuracy over interpretive paraphrase. By adhering closely to the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts (and in the case of apocryphal texts, additionally Latin, Ethiopic, Coptic, Syriac, and Slavonic), the LSV ensures that the nuances of the original texts—whether canonical or apocryphal—are faithfully conveyed. This approach is particularly significant for apocryphal writings, many of which have suffered from inconsistent translations or editorial liberties over time. The use of the LSV provides a consistent and reliable framework, enabling readers to engage with these texts in a manner that balances scholarly precision with modern readability.
Defining the Apocrypha and the Scope of the Collection
The term “apocrypha,” from the Greek ἀπόκρυφος (apókruphos), meaning “hidden,” refers to religious texts that were excluded from the canonical Scriptures of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Composed primarily (but not exclusively) between 200 BC and AD 200, these writings encompass a diverse array of genres—narratives, wisdom literature, apocalyptic visions, and pseudepigrapha—that illuminate the religious, cultural, and historical contexts of their time. While not universally accepted as authoritative, apocryphal texts have been preserved and studied for centuries, offering scholars and readers alike a broader lens through which to view the development of Judeo-Christian thought. The All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha, based on and greatly expanding the LSV Master Collection, distinguishes itself through its extraordinary comprehensiveness. It includes not only familiar apocryphal books such as Tobit and the Maccabees—long valued for their historical and theological insights—but also a vast array of lesser-known works, such as the Testament of Abraham, the Apocalypse of Elijah, and the Lives of the Prophets, as well as historic gnostic books, creeds and key writings of the Early Church, and secular references that validate the biblical account. With 300 books bound in a single printed volume, including the complete text of the Holy Bible as rendered in the LSV, the collection surpasses all previous compilations in scale and ambition. The Expanded Digital Library, increasing the total to literally thousands of works, further enhances its scope, making it an unparalleled resource for exploring the full spectrum of biblical and parabiblical literature.
The Significance of Apocryphal Texts
Apocryphal texts hold immense value for biblical studies, offering insights that enrich our understanding of the canonical Scriptures. The books of the Maccabees, for example, provide a detailed chronicle of the Jewish revolt against Hellenistic rule in the second century BC, a pivotal event that shapes the historical backdrop of the New Testament. Similarly, works like the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach explore themes of ethics, divine wisdom, and human conduct that echo the canonical wisdom literature. Even texts excluded from mainstream traditions, such as the apocalyptic Book of Enoch or the pseudepigraphal Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, reveal the diversity of beliefs and practices within early Jewish and Christian communities. The All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha challenges their marginalization by presenting them alongside the Holy Bible, inviting readers to reconsider their significance as historical, literary, and spiritual artifacts, while also recognizing that their canonical rejection is a legitimate and Spirit-led decision of the Church based on their (1) lack of apostolic authorship and acceptance in the Church, (2) late dates of composition in comparison to the authentic biblical texts, (3) often incompatible or even heretical doctrines, and (4) frequent use of pseudepigraphy. These works are not God-breathed Scripture, but they do inform our understanding of Scripture and the cultural and religious contexts in which Scripture was written.
A Landmark Achievement in Modern Scholarship
Translated into contemporary, easy-to-read English using highly-precise formal equivalence, the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha is more than a collection; it is a transformative tool for religious scholarship. By assembling the largest array of apocryphal texts ever published, it provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the interplay between canonical and non-canonical writings. Its dual-format accessibility—print for traditional engagement and digital for advanced research—ensures its utility for both personal and academic study. The searchable digital text, in particular, facilitates detailed analysis, enabling scholars to trace themes, linguistic patterns, and historical influences with ease. This collection also reflects the evolving nature of biblical studies in the digital age. While the print volume stands as a testament to the enduring power of the written word, the digital edition embraces technological advancements, broadening access and fostering new avenues of exploration. Together, they position the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha as a bridge between past and present, preserving ancient texts while making them relevant to modern audiences. The All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha represents a landmark achievement in biblical scholarship and publishing. Its inclusion of 300 books in print—encompassing the Holy Bible and an extensive array of apocryphal texts—and thousands of works via digital access establishes it as the most comprehensive collection of its kind. Grounded in the Literal Standard Version, it offers a faithful and accessible rendition of these writings, illuminating the rich tapestry of Judeo-Christian thought beyond the traditional canon. Its submission to the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single-volume published book in print underscores its physical and intellectual magnitude, but its true legacy lies in its potential to deepen our understanding of the biblical world. For scholars, theologians, and casual readers alike, the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha is an indispensable resource, poised to reshape the study of religious history for generations to come.
You can purchase the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha from the following booksellers:
The All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha is the size of many concordances, including The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance. The large format allows for larger typeface (10-point) compared to the standard LSV and Complete Apocrypha paperbacks (9-point). The handsome hard binding includes a white marble print with gold-colored trim and lettering. Inside you will be greeted with crisp and easy-to-read Cambria typeface, minimized superscript verse numbering, and an elegant triple-column layout that provides an engrossing and traditional reading experience. It is also designed to lay flat:
Below you can see the All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha compared to the Protocanon (66 books, consisting of the Tanakh/Old Testament and the New Testament), the Catholic Bible (73 books), the Orthodox Bible (76–78 books), the Ethiopian Bible (81 books), and the Cepher (87 books). Note that some of the works below are composed of multiple books (e.g., Josephus’ Antiquities is a collection of 20 books).
Notes:
1, 2 The Eastern Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Bibles contain Psalm 151, but lack Psalms 152–160.
3, 4, 5 The Ethiopic Bible of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches contains roughly 81 books, although how these books are arranged and divided between narrower and broader canons is disputed. The Ethiopic Bible lacks 1–4 Maccabees, but has an alternative account of the Maccabees unique to the Ethiopian tradition called Meqabyan, in three books.
6, 7 The Ethiopic Bible contains an Ethiopic Clement that differs significantly from the more widely known 1 and 2 Clement (written in Greek).
8 The Ethiopian and Eritrean churches recognize Josippon, a late, 10th-century work loosely based on Josephus’ Antiquities, but unlike Josephus’ original work, Josippon is pseudepigraphal, unoriginal, and composed some 900 years after the genuine works of Josephus.
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With The Complete Apocrypha you can discover what the world was like before Noah’s Flood, who the Nephilim were, how Cain died, how Abraham was tutored in the knowledge of God by Noah’s son Shem, what happened during the 400 “silent years,” how the Prophet Daniel slayed a dragon, what mysteries were revealed to Enoch, and insight and answers to countless other biblical mysteries.
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Feature Overview
Twice as much material as the Holy Bible in print and well over seven times as much content as the entire Bible when including both print and digital material.
The complete and unabridged Complete Apocrypha collection, featuring all Catholic and Orthodox Deuterocanon material, all three of the books of Enoch, Jasher, Jubilees, the Aramaic Book of Giants, the testaments, apocalypses, pseudepigrapha, New Testament-era works, the Apostolic Fathers, Sibylline Oracles, key early writings and epistles, and much more (300 books in print and thousands of additional books in the ever-growing Digital Library: over 3,000 additional books as of early 2026).
The complete and unabridged versions of Josephus’ Antiquities and Against Apion and Eusebius’ Chronicon and Ecclesiastical History (44 books via permanent digital access).
The only collection of its kind fully updated and revised in contemporary and easy-to-read English, literally and accurately translated. Enjoy and comprehend what you’re reading.
Comfortable and elegant 9.5-pt Cambria throughout makes reading easy, enjoyable, and relaxing on the eyes; the crisp, heavy-weight paper is equally suitable for marking and taking notes.
Audiobooks, videos, maps, timelines, and much more.
Packed Full of Exciting Supplementary Content
Introductory book information.
Hundreds of hours of audiobook and video content via digital access.
Copious apologetic and background information.
Maps, timelines, and other materials.
A nearly 200-word glossary of key terms, concepts, and characters from Bible history.
...And much, much more!
THE NEW, LITERAL, EASY-TO-READ, DEFINITIVE COLLECTION OF ANCIENT APOCRYPHAL BOOKS IN CONTEMPORARY AND EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND ENGLISH.
The Book of Enoch (also called 1 Enoch) is
an ancient Jewish religious work, ascribed
by tradition to Enoch, the great-grandfather
of Noah. Enoch contains
unique material on the origins of
supernatural demons and giants, why
some messengers fell from Heaven, an
explanation of why the Great Flood was
morally necessary, and prophetic
exposition of the thousand-year reign of the
Messiah. It is wholly extant only in the Ge’ez
language, with Aramaic fragments from the
Dead Sea Scrolls and a few Greek and Latin
fragments. Jude 1:14–15 is a direct quote of
Enoch 1:9 (see also 1 Enoch 60:8). Enoch is
composed of five sections.
A modern English translation of the books of Enoch, including 1, 2, and 3 Enoch and the Book of Giants will be your best and easiest-to-read option: The Complete Enoch Collection provides all of the earliest extra-biblical Enochian literature. It is a newly revised translation in modern English and is much easier to read than the common older translations such as R.H. Charles’, yet is still faithfully translated in a highly literal and word-for-word manner. You can purchase it here.
