John Chrysostom (c. 347 to 407 AD) was bishop of bishop of Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey) from 398 AD. He was known as great preacher, hence the name Chrysostomos or golden mouthed. He wrote sermons based on books of the Bible, homilies on festivals and treatises on Christian life.
Two lists of Old Testament books are attributed to him. The first list (source: J.P. Migne: Patrologia Græca, 56, 314-315) comprises Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 4 books of Kingdoms (Samuel and Kings), 2 books of Esdras (Ezra Nehemiah), Proverbs, Sirach, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, 16 prophets (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the Twelve), Ruth, Psalms (note that Ruth is counted twice). The second list (ibid, 56, 387-388) has Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 4 books of Kingdoms, 2 books of Chronicles, 2 books of Esdras, Esther, Tobit, Judith, Job, Wisdom, Proverbs, Sirach, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, the Twelve.
0 Responses to “John Chrysostom and canon of Old Testament”