Greetings Doves,

     If anyone is looking for a book to read, I'd like to suggest "The Canon Debate". A very good read as to the how's and why's of OT/NT canon books and processes.

     One of the interesting points in one of the essays found in the book, concerns the 5,5,12 adopted by the Sanhedrin Assemblies at Yavneh/Jamnia circa 90 AD - 135 AD..

     In Josephus' work Against Apion, Josephus claims a 5,4,13 codex embraced by the Jews (5 books of Torah, 4 Kethsubim -= Hagiographa, 12 Navim - prophets for a total of 22). The Rabbis however preferred a 5,5,12 pattern based on 5 Torah, 5 Kethsubim = 10 = the 10th generation from Adam = Noah; and 12 prophets = #12 - prophetic governing authority. 10 + 12 =m 22 = the 22nd generation from Adam = Abraham (Father of the Faith) = 22 sacred letters in Hebrew alphabet. [The Hebrew Bible is spoken of as the Tanakh = Torah, Navim, Kethsubim = TNK]. The rabbi's had what they considered the pre-ordained, inalterable number (22) books to their canon, and noone could alter it. (Except, if Bar Kokhba, if he were to cast off the Romans they were prepared to "write him in as the messiah)!

     One of the most profound legacies of this 22 book structure was that the Book of Daniel was relageted to a "Historical" book rather than to the prophets. In the present Tanakh as well as the Roman Catholic Bible of today, Daniel is still accounted as a historical book. To classify Daniel in the historical category is to somehow overlook the clearly prophetic aspect of: Daniel 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

    Putting and END TO SIN, and Establish everlasting Righteousness is clearly not the domain of a historical book! These are matters yet to be fulfilled, hence prophetic.

     The above is just a small sample of subleties inherent in our Bibles today. The story of the "apocryphal books", being made apocryphal due to the very process described above, has had a large impact on modern codicies. An interesting recent development is that many modern Protestant versions will be including the "apocryphal books" in their newest printings.

     BaShem Yeshua Sarenu Shalom    TEFE