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'''Pseudepigrapha''' are falsely attributed works, [[texts]] whose claimed [[authorship]] is unfounded; a work, simply, "whose real author attributed it to a figure of the past."[1] The word "pseudepigrapha" (from the Greek: ψευδής, pseudēs, "false" and ἐπιγραφή, epigraphē, "inscription"; see the related epigraphy) is the plural of "pseudepigraphon" (sometimes Latinized as "pseudepigraphum"); the Anglicized forms "pseudepigraph" and "pseudepigraphs" are also used.

'''Pseudepigrapha''' are falsely attributed works, [[texts]] whose claimed [[authorship]] is unfounded; a work, simply, "whose real author attributed it to a figure of the past."[1] The word "pseudepigrapha" (from the Greek: ψευδής, pseudēs, "false" and ἐπιγραφή, epigraphē, "inscription"; see the related epigraphy) is the plural of "pseudepigraphon" (sometimes Latinized as "pseudepigraphum"); the Anglicized forms "pseudepigraph" and "pseudepigraphs" are also used.

The [[Book of Enoch]] is an example of a pseudepigraph; no [[Hebrew]] [[scholars]] would ascribe its authorship to Enoch, a figure mentioned in [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Genesis#Chapter_.5 Genesis 5]. Nevertheless, in some cases, especially for [[books]] belonging to a religious [[canon]], the question of whether a text is pseudepigraphical or not elicits sensations of [[loyalty]] and can become a matter of heavy [[Debate|dispute]]. The authenticity or [[value]] of the work itself, which is a separate question for [[experience]]d [[readers]], often becomes sentimentally [[Entanglement|entangled]] in the [[association]]. Though the inherent [[value]] of the [[text]] may not be called into question, the weight of a revered or even [[apostolic]] [[author]] lends [[authority]] to a [[text]]: in Antiquity pseudepigraphy was "an accepted and honored custom practiced by students/admirers of a revered figure".[2] This is the [[essential]] [[motivation]] for pseudepigraphy in the first place.

The [[Book of Enoch]] is an example of a pseudepigraph; no [[Hebrew]] [[scholars]] would ascribe its authorship to Enoch, a figure mentioned in [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Genesis#Chapter_.5 Genesis 5]. Nevertheless, in some cases, especially for [[books]] belonging to a religious [[canon]], the question of whether a text is pseudepigraphical or not elicits sensations of [[loyalty]] and can become a matter of heavy [[Debate|dispute]]. The authenticity or [[value]] of the work itself, which is a separate question for [[experience]]d [[readers]], often becomes sentimentally [[Entanglement|entangled]] in the [[association]]. Though the inherent [[value]] of the [[text]] may not be called into question, the weight of a revered or even [[apostolic]] [[author]] lends [[authority]] to a [[text]]: in Antiquity pseudepigraphy was "an accepted and honored custom practiced by students/admirers of a revered figure".[2] This is the [[essential]] [[motivation]] for pseudepigraphy in the first place.

Pseudepigraphy covers the false ascription of names of authors to works, even to perfectly authentic works that make no such claim within their text. Thus a widely accepted but incorrect attribution of authorship may make a perfectly authentic text pseudepigraphical. Assessing the actual writer of a text brings questions of pseudepigraphical attributions within the [[discipline]] of [[literary criticism]]. In a [[parallel]] case, forgers have been known to improve the [[Commerce|market]] value of a perfectly genuine [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 17th-century] Dutch painting by adding a painted signature [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt Rembrandt] fecit.

Pseudepigraphy covers the false ascription of names of authors to works, even to perfectly authentic works that make no such claim within their text. Thus a widely accepted but incorrect attribution of authorship may make a perfectly authentic text pseudepigraphical. Assessing the actual writer of a text brings questions of pseudepigraphical attributions within the [[discipline]] of [[literary criticism]]. In a [[parallel]] case, forgers have been known to improve the [[Commerce|market]] value of a perfectly genuine [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 17th-century] Dutch painting by adding a painted signature [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt Rembrandt] fecit.

On a related note, a famous name assumed by the author of a work is an allonym.

On a related note, a famous name assumed by the author of a work is an allonym.

See also: [[Apocrypha]]

See also: [[Apocrypha]]

In Biblical studies, pseudepigrapha refers particularly to works which purport to be written by noted authorities in either the [[Hebrew Bible|Old]] and [[Christian Bible|New Testaments]] or by persons involved in Jewish or Christian religious [[study]] or [[history]]. These works can also be written about Biblical matters, often in such a way that they appear to be as authoritative as works which have been included in the many versions of the Judeo-Christian [[scriptures]]. Eusebius of Caesarea indicates this usage dates back at least to Serapion, bishop of Antioch) whom Eusebius records[4] as having said: "But those writings which are falsely inscribed with their name (ta pseudepigrapha), we as experienced persons reject...."

In Biblical studies, pseudepigrapha refers particularly to works which purport to be written by noted authorities in either the [[Hebrew Bible|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s or by persons involved in Jewish or Christian religious [[study]] or [[history]]. These works can also be written about Biblical matters, often in such a way that they appear to be as authoritative as works which have been included in the many versions of the Judeo-Christian [[scriptures]]. Eusebius of Caesarea indicates this usage dates back at least to Serapion, bishop of Antioch) whom Eusebius records[4] as having said: "But those writings which are falsely inscribed with their name (ta pseudepigrapha), we as experienced persons reject...."

Many such works were also referred to as [[Apocrypha]], which originally connoted "secret writings", those that were rejected for [[liturgical]] [[public]] reading. An example of a text that is both apocryphal and pseudepigraphical is the [[Odes of Solomon]], pseudepigraphical because it was not actually written by Solomon but instead is a collection of early Christian (first to second century) hymns and poems, originally written not in Hebrew, and apocryphal because not accepted in either the Tanach or the New Testament.

Many such works were also referred to as [[Apocrypha]], which originally connoted "secret writings", those that were rejected for [[liturgical]] [[public]] reading. An example of a text that is both apocryphal and pseudepigraphical is the [[Odes of Solomon]], pseudepigraphical because it was not actually written by Solomon but instead is a collection of early Christian (first to second century) hymns and poems, originally written not in Hebrew, and apocryphal because not accepted in either the Tanach or the New Testament.

Examples of Old Testament pseudepigrapha are the [[Ethiopian Book of Enoch]], [[Jubilees]] (both of which are canonical in the Abyssinian Church of Ethiopia); the [[Life of Adam and Eve]] and the Pseudo-Philo. Examples of New Testament pseudepigrapha (but in these cases also likely to be called New Testament Apocrypha) are the [[Gospel of Peter]] and the attribution of the Epistle to the Laodiceans to Paul. Further examples of New Testament pseudepigrapha include the aforementioned Gospel of Barnabas, and the [[Gospel of Judas]], which begins by presenting itself as "the secret account of the [[revelation]] that [[Jesus]] spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot".

Examples of Old Testament pseudepigrapha are the [[Ethiopian Book of Enoch]], [[Jubilees]] (both of which are canonical in the Abyssinian Church of Ethiopia); the [[Life of Adam and Eve]] and the Pseudo-Philo. Examples of New Testament pseudepigrapha (but in these cases also likely to be called New Testament Apocrypha) are the [[Gospel of Peter]] and the attribution of the Epistle to the Laodiceans to Paul. Further examples of New Testament pseudepigrapha include the aforementioned Gospel of Barnabas, and the [[Gospel of Judas]], which begins by presenting itself as "the secret account of the [[revelation]] that [[Jesus]] spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot".

==Biblical Pseudepigrapha==

==Biblical Pseudepigrapha==

The term Pseudepigrapha commonly refers to numerous works of Jewish religious literature written from about 200 BC to 200 AD.[3] Not all of these works are actually pseudepigraphical.[3] Such works include the following:[3]

The term Pseudepigrapha commonly refers to numerous works of Jewish religious literature written from about 200 BC to 200 AD.[3] Not all of these works are actually pseudepigraphical.[3] Such works include the following:[3]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/3macc.htm 3 Maccabees]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/3macc.htm 3 Maccabees]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/4macc.htm 4 Maccabees]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/4macc.htm 4 Maccabees]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/assumptionofmoses.html Assumption of Moses]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/assumptionofmoses.html Assumption of Moses]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/enoch.htm Ethiopic Book of Enoch] (1 Enoch)

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/enoch.htm Ethiopic Book of Enoch] (1 Enoch)

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/enochs2.htm Slavonic Book of Enoch] (2 Enoch)

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/enochs2.htm Slavonic Book of Enoch] (2 Enoch)

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/jubilees/index.htm Book of Jubilees]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/jubilees/index.htm Book of Jubilees]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/3Baruch.html Greek Apocalypse of Baruch] (3 Baruch)

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/3Baruch.html Greek Apocalypse of Baruch] (3 Baruch)

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/aristeas.htm Letter of Aristeas]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/aristeas.htm Letter of Aristeas]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/slanev.htm Life of Adam and Eve]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/slanev.htm Life of Adam and Eve]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/amartis.htm Martyrdom] and [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/AscensionOfIsaiah.html Ascension of Isaiah]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/amartis.htm Martyrdom] and [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/AscensionOfIsaiah.html Ascension of Isaiah]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/wisolom.htm Psalms of Solomon]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/apocrypha_ot/wisolom.htm Psalms of Solomon]

* [http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/sibylline.html Sibylline Oracles]

* [https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/sibylline.html Sibylline Oracles]

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/2Baruch.html Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch] (2 Baruch)

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/2Baruch.html Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch] (2 Baruch)

* [http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/TalesOfThePatriarchs.html Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs]

* [https://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/TalesOfThePatriarchs.html Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs]

==Notes==

==Notes==