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The word Apocrypha means “that which is veiled, secret or closed”. In Theology the term Apocrypha refers to the 14 books added to the Old Testament by the Roman Catholic Church in 1546 AD. These books are I Esdras, II Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Song of the Holy Children, History of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon and the prayer Manasses, I Macabees, II Macabees. Most of the rest of Christendom rejects their Books from having a place in cannon of Scripture.

The following are some of the reasons for this rejection.

• It is universally acknowledged that they never had a place in the Hebrew cannon.
• They were written in the 400 years between Malachi and John, The Baptist. When there were no inspired prophetic utterances that was why the Jews rejected them.
• They were never quoted in the New Testament by Jesus or the Apostles.
• They are not found in any catalogue of canonical Books during the first four centuries of the Church.
• Divine inspiration and authority is claimed by none of the writers and is disclaimed by some of them.
• None of their writer speak with a message from Jehovah.
• The Book contain many historical, geographical and chronological errors, at times contradicting themselves, the Bible and history.
• They teach doctrines and uphold practices which are contrary to canonical scriptures (example: lying is sanctioned, suicide and assassination are justified, magical incantation and prayers for the dead are taught and approved).
• They do not fit into numerical structure of the canon.

In view of these points the Apocrypha is not recommended for Christian canonical usage.

From Hebrew “Uwrium” plural “UWR” it is referred to as light; flame; fire: i.e. to be or make luminous; break of day; to give or show light; be enlightened. Shine; set on fire. URIM literally means lights. THUMMIM: From Hebrew “Tummiym” plural of “Tom” refers to completeness; innocence; intergrity; perfect uprightness. “Tom” from its root word “Tamam” is to complete truth. The two (2) together – Urim and Thummim stands for lights and perfections; lights and truth; manifestation and truth; the sacred lots.

Much is not said about them regarding who made them. Whether God or Moses; and whether they were used before Moses time is not stated. Moses was only told by God to put them in the pocket or pouch of judgment, which he did when Aaron was first clothed. (Ex. 28:16, 30, Lev. 8:8). They were to be with only the high priest to give counsel and to obtain answer from God in times of crises of the people of Israel.

They were something material, separate from the Breastplate pouch, and the stones in the breastplate. In the pocket were two precious flat stones claimed to be “Yes” and “No” so that whichever was drawn determined an answer to the situation. Joshua was guided by them in leading Israel into Canaan (Num.27:18-23). He used in the case Achan (Joshua 7:14-18), the order of the priesthood was by them. (1Chro. 24:5-7). Saul was chosen by them etc. they were used in dividing the land to the tribes. In the days of Samuel, priest who were to use the Urim and Thummim begin to be corrupt so God raised up prophets through whom the people of God were instructed.

Politically, the Israelites tribes eventually displaced the Canaanites city-states, but ideologically, the Canaanites exerted an enormous influenced on Israel for many centuries through their religion, which was of a more formidable force than its armies. Israelites association with their religion often made them lost the favour of God. The Hebrew noun “baal” means ‘master’, ‘possessor’ or ‘husband’’’. Baal was generally referred to as a specific deity – Hadad of Syria, which means a “storm-god” and was the most important deity in Canaan pantheon. Closely related to this deity (Baal) were “El”, the chief of the gods and his female companion “Asherah” both of which take a back seat to Baal – the “weather” or “storm-god” and his lover “Anat”, the goddess of love and war. At a time, Baal was attacked by “Mut”, the god of barrenness and sterility and was defeated scattering his powers of life and fertility as well as his body to the four corners of the earth.

While ‘El’ the father-god leads the heavenly mourning for his lost son, ‘Anat’, the goddess of fertility goes out to take her revenge. ‘Anat’ completely smashed ‘Mut’ causing Baal to win back his powers. As a result, ‘Baal’ renewed his sexual relationship with ‘Anat’ – and that in turn ensured the fertility of the earth and its inhabitants for another season. This was the main point of Canaanite religion, which they believed was their source of having rains. So whenever the rains seized, it seemed to the Canaanites as if Baal was dead, and needed to be revived – hence almost annual festival in ancient Canaan. Because of the relationship between Baal and Anat: Prostitution and children sacrifices were notable practices of the Baal worship

Though the Israelites knew their God – Yahweh was all powerful in the desert, and in war, they doubted his ability to control the weather and the fertility of fields and flocks. This led to all sorts of compromises. Some gave up the worship of Yahweh (Master, Possessor or Husband) to the Israelites all together and worshipped the Canaanites deities instead. All over the land, altars, statutes etc. were erected as symbols for the Canaanites religion (Baal worship). Israelites however were forbidden to worship Baal.

The priesthood which the Lord gave through Moses to Aaron and his descendants with the idea to them serving at the tabernacle and the Temple of the Lord later took a different dimension as far as its administration is concerned. During the reign of King David the priests were organized into twenty four divisional groups, and each of these family priest groups had a head as the “Chief Priest” responsible for that group example (1Chro. 24:1-10; Jn. 11:49).

Besides all the Chief Priest who are heads of the family priest, there was another priest who is known as the High Priest who was to be appointed by the governor to oversee the administration of the total priesthood, like Caiaphas who was the high priest at the trial of Jesus and during the persecutions described in the early chapters of Acts. The high Priest traced their paternal ancestry from Aaron (Ex 28:1, Num. 18:7), who was the first high priest of Israel and the brother of Moses. The High Priest came from the Tribe of the Levites. Only the High priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place. This he did once a year to make atonement for himself and for the people for all the sins committed in the course of the year (Ex 30:10)

These priestly family and functions were a shadow of the reality to be revealed in Christ Jesus. Jesus came as our High Priest and is still our High Priest, ministering in the Heavenly temple.

⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a]Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

We can, therefore, boldly enter the throne room of Grace

We begin today A series on Biblical Terminologies. Stay glued 

HERODS: There are five different Herods in the Bible. These names which are identical to each other are from the same family, the difference is as follows:

• HEROD THE GREAT: He was the King of the Jews who reigned from 40-4 BC. He was born in 73 BC. The name of his father was Antipater, the man who was able to calm down the Territories of his North East frontier in the interest of Roman and Augustus the governor and He added them to his Kingdom. He is noted to have undertaken several building projects in Judea. The greatest of all his building enterprise was the reconstruction of Jerusalem Temple, which began early in 19 BC. He executed three of his sons. His suspicious nature is well illustrated in the story of the magi who visited Jesus at His birth and the subsequent slaughter of male children (Mt. 2:1-6). He died in Jericho. After his death his Kingdom was divided among his three sons and his sister.

• HEROD ARCHELAUS: He reigned in Judea in place of his father (Herod the great). He ruled as governor (Ethnarch- a title given by Caesar) of Samaria, Judea and Idumea, from 4 BC to AD 6 but without the title of King. He was the eldest son of Herod the great. His mother’s name was Malthace, a Samaritan woman. He has the most reputation of all the sons of Herod; he continued the building policy of his father. He was referred to in Mathew 2:19-23, as succeeding his father after his death. Joseph is reported to have been afraid to return to Israel, with the baby Jesus, when he heard that Herod Archelaus had taken over as the governor of Israel in place of his father.

• HEROD THE TETRARCH: He was the younger son of (Herod the great) by Malthace the Samaritan. He was also referred to as Herod Antipas. He ruled Galilee and Perea. In the Gospels he is conspicuous chiefly known for his part in the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist. Herod Antipas divorced his wife Phasaelis for Herodias, who had been married to Herod II, his Half brother. The arrangement by Herod Antipas was condemned by John the Baptist which eventually led to his arrest and execution. Herod the Tetrach also had brief encounter with Jesus, when later was sent to him by Pilate for judgement. He died after 39 AD.

• HEROD THE KING: He was the son of Aristobulus and grandson of (King Herod the Great). After his father’s execution in 7 BC, he was brought up in Rome in close association with the imperial family. In AD 23 he became so heavily involved in debt that he had to leave Rome, for a time he received shelter and maintenance at Tiberias from his uncle Antipas. But he quarreled with Antipas and in AD 36 returned to Rome.

• AGRIPA SON OF HEROD AGRIPPA: He was born in AD 27. He was adjudged too young to be made a successor to his father’s Kingdom. Later however, he received the title of King from Claudius with Territories North and East of Palestine which were increased by Noro in AD 56. He changed the name of his capital from Caesarea Philippi to Neromas as a compliment to the later emperor. From AD 48 to 66, he had the opportunity to appointing the Jewish high Priest. He did his best to prevent the outbreak of the Jewish war against Rome in AD 66. When his efforts failed, he remained loyal to Rome and was rewarded with a further increase in his Kingdom. He did childless about AD 100. These are the five Herods we have in the Bible.

NB. This series are extracts from a joint presentation  by Aps Dr Alfred Koduah, Ps Paul Adzigbli and Emmanuel Kwesi Acquah at Takoradi Area Retreat