The Apocrypha and Apocalypticism

The apocalyptic revolution in Judaism in the period from Antiochus to Pompey left virtually no impression in the Apocryphal writings of that time. The corpus is devoid of apocalyptic texts, and no part of any Apocryphal writing is apocalyptic, despite claims to the contrary. Using the apocalyptic worldview as a diagnostic tool, this chapter examines the lack of apocalyptic speculation in the Apocryphal writings, with attention to the Additions to Esther A and F, 2 Maccabees, and Ben Sira. It then discusses the Wisdom of Solomon and 4 Ezra (2 Esdras 3-14), which were composed in the first century CE and are clearly apocalyptic. It concludes with observations on the Apocryphal writings in view of the Deuteronomic and apocalyptic worldviews, and questions on their social settings