How many books are in the Greek Orthodox Bible? This question often arises among those who are curious about the differences between the Greek Orthodox Bible and the Protestant Bible. The Greek Orthodox Church, like other Christian denominations, uses the Bible as its primary source of divine revelation. However, the number of books included in the Greek Orthodox Bible differs from that of the Protestant Bible, which has become the standard for many English-speaking Christians. In this article, we will explore the composition of the Greek Orthodox Bible and the reasons behind its unique arrangement of books.
The Greek Orthodox Bible, also known as the Orthodox Canon, consists of 796 books. This number includes both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament in the Greek Orthodox Bible is divided into three sections: the Prophets, the Writings, and the Pentateuch. The New Testament contains the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Revelation of John.
One of the most significant differences between the Greek Orthodox Bible and the Protestant Bible is the inclusion of additional books in the Orthodox Canon. These books are known as the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha consists of books that were not included in the Jewish Canon, which is the basis for the Protestant Old Testament. The Greek Orthodox Church accepts these books as part of the divine word, while the Protestant Church does not.
The Apocrypha includes books such as 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and the Letter of Jeremiah. These books provide additional insights into the history and culture of the ancient world and are considered valuable for understanding the context of the New Testament.
Another difference between the Greek Orthodox Bible and the Protestant Bible is the arrangement of the Old Testament books. The Greek Orthodox Bible follows the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible that was completed around the third century BCE. The Septuagint includes additional books that are not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as 1 and 2 Esdras, and it arranges the books of the Old Testament in a different order than the Protestant Bible.
The Greek Orthodox Bible’s unique composition reflects the church’s historical and theological context. The acceptance of the Apocrypha and the use of the Septuagint demonstrate the Greek Orthodox Church’s commitment to preserving the traditions and teachings of the early Christian Church.
In conclusion, the Greek Orthodox Bible contains 796 books, including the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Apocrypha. The inclusion of these additional books and the use of the Septuagint reflect the church’s rich history and theological heritage. Understanding the differences between the Greek Orthodox Bible and the Protestant Bible can provide valuable insights into the diverse ways in which Christians interpret and use the Bible in their faith and practice.
