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Apocrypha

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Apocrypha refers to religious books outside the accepted biblical canon.

Detailed Definition
The Apocrypha includes writings preserved in some Christian traditions but absent from the Hebrew Bible, such as Tobit, Judith, and Wisdom. These books broaden biblical literary texture through romance, prayer, resistance, philosophy, and dark adventure. A poetic reference to the Apocrypha may suggest a borderland of sacred memory, where overlooked voices and alternate inheritances complicate the boundaries of scripture.
Example
Example in poetry:
The Apocrypha can provide a poet with neglected stories and characters outside the standard biblical canon; “From the Apocrypha, Judith steps into the poem carrying courage like a blade”; A poem may use the term to explore questions of authority, omission, and hidden tradition; Referencing the Apocrypha can give a work an atmosphere of secret scripture and uncertain history.
Additional Notes
Apocrypha is a collective name for religious writings whose status differs among Jewish and Christian traditions. Some books called deuterocanonical are included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in most Protestant Bibles. When using the term, identify the tradition being discussed; related concepts include canon, scripture, wisdom literature, and intertestamental writings.
Also Known As
Deuterocanonical Books Hidden Books
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