MP3: Forgotten Books of Eden

The Testament of Abraham - This testament deals with Abraham's reluctance to die and the means by which his death was brought about. The testament states that when Abraham is told of his impending death, he tried to put it off by asking first to see the entire world, a wish that is granted by a flying chariot. Abraham tries to resist, but is finally tricked into dying. (According to James, The Testament of Abraham was written in Egypt in the 2nd century A.D.)

The Book of Adam and Eve - The story begins immediately after Adam and Eve's exile from the Garden of Eden and continues to the death of Adam and then the death of Eve. The text includes a description of The Fall of Man from the point of view of Eve, and she is said by the text to have been put in charge of all the female animals, and half of the garden.

The Second Book of Adam and Eve - The Second Book of Adam and Eve details the life and times from Cain and his twin Sister Luluwa when they went away to the time that Enoch was taken by God.

The Life of Adam and Eve (Slovic) - An elaboration on the biblical account of Adam and Eve, this story, in the Latin version called Vita Adae et Evae, probably comes from the same source as the Apocalypse of Moses.  Various, significant differences, however, allow for a variety of explanations as to their relation.  The account begins after Adam and Eve have been forced to leave the garden, but the characters recall their life in the garden on several occasions.

The Story of Ahikar - Aramaic papyrus of 500 B. C. from the ruins of Elephantine.
Ahikar, Grand Vizier of Assyria, has 60 wives but is fated to have no son. Therefore he adopts his nephew. He crams him full of wisdom and knowledge more than of bread and water.

The Letter of Aristeas - Records the details of 72 translators completing the first five books of the Bible in 72 days. The Letter of Aristeas and Josephus record the history of translating of the Septuagint from the old Hebrew into Greek. This ancient historical book and should be set apart from the other writings in the "Forgotten Books of Eden".

The Odes of Solomon - The date of the Odes has caused considerable interest. H. J. Drijvers contends that they are as late as the 3d century. B. McNeil argued that they are contemporaneous with 4 Ezra, the Shepherd of Hermas, Polycarp, and Valentinus (ca. 100 A.D).

The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs - Writings attributed to the 12 sons of Israel, each detailing a record of his life and instructions for life just before each of their deaths. Reports on the dates of the document is from 1 B.C. to 100 A.D.

The Psalms of Solomon - Solomon is never mentioned in these psalms. The Psalms of Solomon are probably dated during the first century B.C., either before or after Pompey’s arrival in Jerusalem.

2 Esdras - 5 Ezra (chapters 1-2), 4 Ezra (chapters 3-14), and 6 Ezra (chapters 15-16) The Ethiopian and Russian Orthodox churches consider 2 Esdras to be canonical, and it was often cited by the Fathers of the Church.

IV Maccabees - Included in the Brenton translation of the Septuagint Bible.