This Precious Gems teaching has been developed in response to a question submitted by a reader for the Ask Victoria column in the KALEIDOSCOPE Newsletter.

Question: Why does the Bible talk about different books that are not in the Bible? It seems like people have taken things out. – T

Answer: It’s true, there are several books mentioned in the Bible that are not included in the Bible. And while it may appear that “people have taken things out,” it is more likely in my mind that these manuscripts were lost or destroyed over time. Remember, we are talking about documents recorded on parchment scrolls with rudimentary writing instruments and existing in very harsh climates and conditions and in times of great political and cultural turmoil.

One must also consider when Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 587 BC, much of the sacred writings were destroyed while other writings were scattered throughout Judea and Babylonia. It was Ezra, the prophet and scribe who went throughout the land and collected these remaining sacred scrolls and began to copy them. Although it is possible that some conspiracy of the early church or the Jewish spiritual leaders were responsible for the non-inclusion of these books, I feel certain the Almighty knew exactly what He was doing in the creation of the Holy Scriptures—inspired writings that have withstood the test of time and have become the foundation on which rests the most sacred revelations of God to all His creation.

The mentioning of various references of unknown books in the Bible may have been for the purpose of providing resources and back up proof texts, which would have been known by the people and culture of that time. We see this now, as modern writers will write articles and books with quotes from other author’s books or writings. Non-canonized books can be beneficial as they agree with the Bible, providing us with important cultural and traditional information of social, political and other pertinent issues. That said, let’s take a closer look at how the Bible came to be and how we know about the missing books.

In the Beginning The official Bible, originally referred to as the Torah, was given to Moses (Moshe), by God, and included the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. God chose to speak to Moses, who in turn wrote the Torah as his divine calling.

Moses also taught the people orally (as would any spiritual leader) primarily because back in biblical days, there were no paper, pens, pencils, or recording devices.

In fact, most of the common people did not know how to read, so for the most part the Bible was memorized. In addition to the sacred Word, oral teachings were then passed down to the generations as the Oral Law (or instruction) and much of that oral teaching lives in the rich traditions of Judaism. Our spiritual leaders and pastors today follow Moses’ lead in preaching oral sermons based on scriptural truth from pulpits and platforms around the world.

The Torah was followed much later by writings from the Early Prophets who penned; Joshua, Judges, I and II Samuel, and I and II Kings, and the Later Prophets who recorded; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Books by the Prophets were revered and read separately. It is believed by scholars that the prophetical books were added to the canon circa 200 BC, and the other poetic writings circa AD 100.

Preservation Begins Beginning at the time of Moses, the priestly Levitical tribe preserved all the writings as we see in the following Scripture.

Moshe kept writing the words of this Torah in a book until he was done. When he had finished, Moshe gave these orders to the L’vi’im who carried the ark with the covenant of Adonai: “Take this book of the Torah and put it next to the ark with the covenant of Adonai your God, so that it can be there to witness against you (Deuteronomy 31:24-26).

God also knew the Israelites would want to be ruled by a human king, so He gave instructions to the king to write for himself a copy of the Torah in order to study and to observe what was instructed so he could rule God’s people righteously.

When he has come to occupy the throne of his kingdom, he is to write a copy of this Torah for himself in a scroll, from the one the cohanim and L’vi’im use. It is to remain with him, and he is to read in it every day, as long as he lives; so that he will learn to fear Adonai his God and keep all the words of this Torah and these laws and obey them (Deuteronomy 17:18-19).

The Elusive Books During his missionary journeys to the nations, Paul wrote numerous letters to the various believing communities that he established. In fact, out of the 27 books in the New Testament, Paul wrote 13 of them. Nine of these were letters—also known as epistles. Paul’s letters (as well as those from other apostles,) were used as resources for teaching before they were ever canonized—and churches widely circulated them within their communities. Unfortunately, many of these communities were destroyed and the believers martyred for not complying with the nationally imposed Emperor worship. Due to the persecution of Christians in the first through third centuries, it’s safe to assume many of the instructional letters were purposely destroyed.

One such letter may have been the Epistle to the Laodiceans which Paul references in his letter to the church at Colossae, “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea Colossians 4:16 KJV). This elusive epistle has never been recovered.

Additionally, there are at least five books mentioned in Old Testament Scripture that do not appear within the Bible as we know it today. Let’s take a look at those now.

The Book of Enoch Many find the Book of Enoch an elaboration of the fall of rebellious angels and pre-flood life on earth as recorded in Genesis 6:1-6 and Numbers 13:30-33. Discovered in Ethiopia in 1768, the book was not in the original canon but was revered by the ancient teachers, as we, today would respect books written by authors such as Billy Graham, Smith Wigglesworth, or Corrie tenBoom. The translated Book of Enoch is available in several published renditions.

The New Testament Scripture below from Jude, a disciple of Yeshua, is a direct quote from Enoch 1:9.

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude 1:14-15 KJV).

Throughout the Bible, Yeshua often appears to be quoting the book of Enoch, as shown in the following comparisons:

The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the son. John 5:22 KJV

And he sat on the throne of his glory, and the sum of judgment was given unto the Son of Man. Enoch 69:27 {68:39} 27a. The Book of Enoch

The Book of Jasher This seems to be a historical book, much like the book of Josephus. In Joshua 10:13, we can see that Joshua is directing readers to see another account of the Miracle at Jericho as it was recorded in the historical Book of Jasher. This original book, however seems to be lost. Forgeries of the book have been found over the later centuries, most of which have been declared fictional.

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day (Joshua 10:13 KJV).

The Book of the War of the Lords The Book of Wars referenced in Numbers 21:14 was most likely an annal or historical listing.

Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon (Numbers 21:14 KJV).

The Books of Samuel the Seer, Nathan the Prophet, and Gad the Seer

Though referenced in 1 Chronicles, many scholars believe these three books were combined and recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel.

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer (1 Chronicles 29:29 KJV).

The Chronicles of the Kings of Judah

More than likely this book was a governmental or official listing of the kings of Judah. Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah (1 Kings 14: 29 KJV)?

The Apocrypha

Although the term apocrypha (which contained nine separate books) has been used since the 5th century, it wasn’t canonized and included in the Bible until 1534. However, it was removed in 1885 from the Protestant Bible, but is still included in the Catholic Bible.

While other books in the Apocrypha can fill in a lot of historical blanks, it’s the Book of Maccabees that is crucial in explaining the Jewish revolt that led to the retaking of the Temple. This book contains the most detailed accounts of the battles of Judah Maccabee and his brothers for the liberation of Judea from foreign domination. Although the Feast of Chanukah or Dedication is mentioned in the Book of John, it is Maccabee that includes the earliest references to the story of Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple.

Is the Bible Incomplete?

Even if we are missing what could be some very pertinent sacred books, I personally don’t believe we are lacking in God’s Word and instructions. We are told that the Holy Spirit is our Teacher, and it is that same Spirit that not only illuminates His Word but also leads us into all truth.

In thinking and praying about writing this Precious Gems teaching on these elusive missing books, I had a revelation about Scripture. If we had only one message from God to practice or preach—one divine Word to learn from and carry in our heart, what would it be?

To me, it would be a conversation between Yeshua and a Torah teacher—a simplistic statement that holds powerful insight:

“Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?” He told him, “You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself. All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot” (Matthew 22:36-40 36).

It all comes down to love. If you love Him, ask the Holy Spirit to write His Word on your heart. The Word of God is supernatural and multi-faceted—ask Him to pour out His wisdom and discernment into your spirit—to wash you in His love, grace, and mercy. When you are filled with His Word, you will be able to walk out His will in your life showing forth good fruit. And because of your faith in Him, the Living Torah now resides in you!