The Best Apocrypha

Wisdom was created before all other things...
Sirach, 1:4, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, Augmented Third edition 

It all started with the reading of The Great Code: The Bible And Literature by the great Canadian Northrop Frye. The search for enlightenment and the ensuing "thinking about thinking" project has taken some very weird twists and paths. After literally burning through the Great Code, and continuing with The Words of Power, the Oracle of Ottawa often felt the top of his head seemingly to loosen. It was all so masterful.

The one you really want...

 What really peaked the Oracle of Ottawa's interest was the discussion of the importance of the Apocrypha. The discussion of its importance in the Bible peaked the Oracles interest very much indeed. So much so, that I was determined to dig up a copy and get right on it. Left to right, front to back, Starting at the top left of the first page straight through to the bottom right of the last page, like ole Norie always said, there is no other way.

After going through my (extensive) stash of bibles, a very wondrous collection of various translations and printings over time, the Oracle of Ottawa was shocked to discover that he had only one Bible that had the Apocrypha! And that was The New Oxford Annotated Bible, Augmented Third Edition, in the New Revised Standard Version. I bought it brand new a couple of years ago, and it only cost a little over twenty bucks, out the door, all in. All 2300 plus pages of it. If scholarship is measured by the pound, it was one of the best deals I ever cut!

The Cyrus cylinder...

 The only problem was that Northrop Frye was not very big on the Revised Standard Version, but it was all that I had at hand and I got on it. It seems that the editors of the New Revised Standard Version took Northrop Frye to heart and seriously, the NRSV is very literary in its style. And, if you check out the excellent essays in the back, they made a note of Northrop Frye's criticism, and mention him by name, and claimed to have fixed the problem. All the Oracle of Ottawa can tell you dear reader is that the editors were true to their word and claim.

Long story short, the Oracle of Ottawa enjoyed the Apocrypha very, very much. The annotations are excellent, along with the confirmation references, such as this passage is confirmed in the Dead Sea Scrolls, with the proper text reference number. Don't ask me why, but the Oracle of Ottawa loves that stuff. The literary style and the content was enjoyed mightily. These books are very important, since it lays out the ground to the time just before the coming of Christ. After the Apocrypha you will have a most visceral feel the Gospels that follow. And the Book of Judith? It simply has to be the most X-rated book in the whole Bible! Some say it is the first historical novel, but the Oracle of Ottawa says it is the earliest example in any language of feminist literature. Judith made her way in the world. No glass ceiling whining from this hot babe, she just cut her way through.

Another aspect that really interested the Oracle of Ottawa was the Maccabees books. Especially the mention of Cyrus and the detailed description of the return from bondage with his full support. While reading the Apocrypha check out the subjects and rulers on Wikipedia as you are reading. It will deepen your understanding deeply and very quickly, especially from the historical and literary views. While checking out Cyrus the Oracle of Ottawa learned of the Cyrus Cylinder! Most fascinating...        

 One thing leads to another, seeking enlightenment is like that...