Don Stewart :: What Were the Non-Canonical Books That Were Mentioned in the Old Testament?

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The Old Testament mentions the existence of a number of books that have not been placed in Holy Scripture. These include the following.

The Book Of The Wars Of The Lord

In the Book of Numbers there is a quotation from the "Book of the Wars of the Lord."

Wherefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD (Numbers 21:14).

The author, as well as the exact contents of this book is unknown.

The Book Of Jashar

The Book of Jashar is mentioned as recording Joshua's long day.

And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar (Joshua 10:13).

Solomon's Proverbs And Songs

Scripture speaks of the number of proverbs and songs of Solomon.

He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five (1 Kings 4:32,33).

The Book of Proverbs does not contain three thousand proverbs. The Song of Solomon is the only part of Scripture that contains a song from Solomon. For some reason, many of the proverbs and the songs of Solomon were not placed in Holy Scripture.

The Acts Of Solomon

There is reference to a book called, "The Acts of Solomon."

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did as well as his wisdom, are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? (1 Kings 11:41).

Nothing is known about this book.

The Annals Of The Kings Of Israel

The writer of First Kings mentions a source known as the, "The Annals of the Kings of Israel."

The other events of Jeroboam's reign, his wars and how he ruled, are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19).

This would not be the canonical book of First Kings. Its author and contents are unknown.

The Annals Of The Kings Of Judah

There is the mention of a work titled, "The Annals of the Kings of Judah."

As for the other events of Abijah's reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah (1 Kings 15:7).

Nothing is known about the author or the contents of this book.

The Records Of Samuel, Nathan, Gad

The prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad are said to have recorded events in the life of King David.

Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the records of the seer Samuel, and in the records of the prophet Nathan, and in the records of the seer Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29).

Samuel is credited with writing First and Second Samuel. He also possibly wrote Judges and Ruth. Nothing is known about the writings of Gad. Nathan is also credited with writing about Solomon.

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? (2 Chronicles 9:29).

Along with Nathan there is mention of other writings: the prophecy of Ahijah and the vision of Iddo the seer.

The Records Of Shemaiah The Prophet And Iddo The Seer

A prophet named Shemaiah and a seer named Iddo recorded the acts of king Rehoboam.

Now the acts of Rehoboam, from first to last, are they not written in the records of the prophet Shemaiah and of the seer Iddo, recorded by genealogy? (2 Chronicles 12:15).

The Annals Of Jehu

Jehu is said to have recorded the acts of Jehoshaphat.

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the Annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel (2 Chronicles 20:34).

It seems that certain things that were written in the annals of Jehu were incorporated into the biblical books of First Kings.

The Acts Of Uzziah

The prophet Isaiah had recorded the acts of Uzziah.

Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first to last, the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, has written (2 Chronicles 26:22).

This written record of Isaiah is not the same as the biblical book that bears his name.

The Laments Of Jeremiah There is a mention of the laments of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah, and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a custom in Israel; they are recorded in the Laments (2 Chronicles 35:25).

The lament of Jeremiah is not the same as the biblical book of Lamentations. That was written after the destruction of Jerusalem.

Why Are These Works Not Included In The Old Testament Canon? Some of these works cited were used as sources for the Old Testament Scripture. Obviously they would have been accurate records for this to happen. Yet these accurate ancient records were not included in the Old Testament canon of Scripture. As to why they were not included in Holy Scripture it is not possible to know. For some reason, known to God alone, these works were not placed into the Old Testament canon of Scripture. Summary

The Old Testament mentions a number of ancient written works. Some of these were used as sources for the biblical books. Yet these books, for whatever reason, were not included in Scripture. As to why they were not included we do not know.