The Lost Books of the Bible?

There are numerous references to various books and writings in the Old and New Testament that have never been found but only mentioned of by some writers of the bible.  Some of these books are called by different names yet may be identical to already canonized books.  For instance, the “Book of Laments” found mentioned in 1 Kings 11:41 may be the same book as the “Book of Lamentations” that is already included in the Old Testament.
Sometimes these extra-biblical books and writings were referred to as scrolls, stories, records, annotations, and annals.  Or at other times they were just called “the prophecy of...” or “the visions of...” or “the sayings of...”. Depending on what version of bible a person has will depend on what these writings are referred to as.  For simplicity, the books and writings that are listed are from the New International Version.


The Book of Life   
Referenced at:
Psalms 69:28
Phillipians 4:3
Revelation 3:5/13:8/17:8/20:12,15/21:27

This book is mentioned numerous times in the Book of Revelation of John.
This book is opened along with other books at the end of the age.

Concerning the Judgement:
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.  Another book was opened, which is the book of life.  The dead were judged according to what they had done in the books...If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”- Revelation Chapter 20

Concerning the New Jerusalem:
“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”- Revelation Chapter 21

Concerning the Beast:
“The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.” - Revelation Chapter 17

Concerning those who worship the beast:
“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb...” - Revelation Chapter 13

Concerning those who overcome:
“He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.  I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” - Revelation Chapter 3

Both Daniel and David allude to the book of life in a couple of instances:
David says, “All the days you ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 
Daniel says, “But at that time your people- everyone whose name is found written in the book- will be delivered.”

In another one of Daniels visions he describes the books being opened in a courtroom type setting:
“Thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.  His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.  His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.  A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.  Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.  The court was seated and the books were opened.”

The Book of Truth
This book is quoted in Daniel 10:21 by "a man dressed in linen, with a belt of finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite , his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

Some believe this to be the angel Gabriel. Others believe it to be an unnamed angel. While others hold that it is a heavenly man. Regardless, he converses with Daniel and tells him what is written in the Book of Truth concerning the future.

The Book of Enoch
This book is quoted in Jude 14-15

Also called 1 Enoch

It’s interesting to note that this book was quoted from in the New Testament by the apostle Jude. Likewise, it has been argued that the New Testament writers were familiar with and heavily influenced by its writings.  However, the book as a whole, was never compiled into the present day canonical scriptures by either Jews or Christians.  The only exception to this was the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, who nevertheless considered it to be canonical.

This book is considered scripture by well known, early church fathers such as:
Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, and Tertullian

This book is said to be dated from between 300 B.C. to 1st century B.C. and was discovered wholly extant in the Ge’ez language.  Certain Aramaic, Greek and Latin fragments were also discovered with the Dead Sea Scrolls between 1947 and 1956.


The Book of the Law of the LORD
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 17:9 

Books that may be identical to this one:
The Book of the Law of God - (Joshua 24:26) Here, Joshua drew up decrees and laws and recorded them in this book

The Book of the Law - (2 Kings 22:8,11/ 2 Chronicles 34:14,15/Galatians 3:10) Here, the book is found after many years by Hilkiah the high priest.

The Book of the Covenant - (2 Kings 23:2 and 2 Chronicles 34:30) 


The Book of the Wars of the LORD
Mentioned in Numbers 21:14

Although this book is only mentioned once, it is actually one of the few extra-biblical books where a quote is written from it.  In the Book of Numbers, the writer justifies the movements of the Israelites by mentioning the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “...Waheb in Suphah and the ravines, the Arnon and the slopes of the ravines that lead to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.”

Solomon's Various Writings
Referenced at 1 Kings 4:32-33
"He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish."

The Book of Moses
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 35:12, Ezra 6:18 and Mark 12:26
This book may be the same as “The Book of the Law of Moses” found at 2 Kings 14:6
The Apostle Mark mentions this book when he recounts the story of the burning bush.

The Book of Jasher
This book is mentioned twice in the old testament, specifically in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18. 

Sometimes this book is called the Book of the Upright or the Book of the Just.  


The Book of the History of King Xerxes Reign
This book is mentioned 3 times in the Book of Esther (2:23, 6:1, 10:2) and once in the Book of Nehemiah (12:23)

Other names:
The Book of the History of the Kings of Media and Persia
The Chronicles of King Ahasuerus
The Book of Annals
The Book of Chronicles


The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah
Sometimes called “The Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah”
This book and the Book of the History of the Kings of Israel are assumed to be the same as the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles which are part of the Old Testament.

Mentioned in:
1 Kings 14:29/15:7,23/22:45   
2 Kings 8:23/12:19/14:18/15:6,36/16:19/20:20/21:17/23:28/24:5   
This book is mentioned 14 times throughout the books of 1 and 2 Kings.


The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel
Sometimes called “The Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel”

This book and the Book of the History of the Kings of Judah are assumed to be the same as the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles which are part of the Old Testament.

Mentioned in:
1 Kings 14:19/15:31/16:5,14,20,27/22:39   
2 Kings 1:18/10:34/13:8/13:12/14:15,28/15:11,15,21,26,31  

This book is mentioned 18 times throughout the books of 1 and 2 Kings

The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel
This book may be identical to the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah mentioned below.  It is also believed that both books are actually 1 and 2 Kings found in the Old Testament. 

Found at 2 Chronicles 16:11/25:26/28:26/32:32

The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah
This book may be identical to the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel mentioned above.  It is also believed that both books are actually 1 and 2 Kings found in the Old Testament. 

Found in 2 Chronicles 27:7/35:27/36:8

The Book of the Kings of Israel
This book is found at 1 Chronicles 9:1 and is said to deal with the geneologies of Israel.  It is also found at 2 Chronicles 20:34 in which  it is said that included in The Book of the Kings of Israel is the  Annals of Jehu son of Hanani.


The Book of Laments
Mentioned in 2 Chronicles 35:25
It is also called “The Laments of Josiah” or the “Book of Lamentations” which is already included in the Old Testament.

The Book of the Acts of Solomon
Also called the “Annals of Solomon”
Referenced at 1 Kings 11:41
This book describes certain events in Solomon’s reign, all he did and the wisdom he displayed

The Book of Samuel the Seer
Also called:
The Acts of Samuel the Seer
The Records of Samuel the Seer

Referenced at 1 Chronicles 29:29

This book could be the same as 1 and 2 Samuel already included in the Old Testament.

The Book of Gad the Seer
Referenced at 1 Chronicles 29:29
Also called the Records of Gad the Seer.
This book is mentioned along with “the records of Nathan the prophet” and “the records of Samuel the seer”

All three books describe King David’s reign, the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other nations.

The Book of Iddo the Seer
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 9:29, 12:15, and 13:22

Also called:
The Visions of Iddo the Seer
The Annotations of Iddo the Seer
The Records of Iddo the Seer

Iddo was a seer who lived during the reigns of Solomon, Abijah, and Rehoboam.  His deeds were recorded in this book.  It is interesting to note that Zechariah was the son of Iddo.  (Ezra 5:1, Zechariah 1:1)

The Book of Nathan the Prophet
Referenced at 1 Chronicles 29:29 and 2 Chronicles 9:29

Also called: 
The History of Nathan the Prophet
The Acts of Nathan the Prophet
The Records of Nathan the Prophet

The Book of Shemiah the Prophet
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 12:15

The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 9:29

This prophecy might be a reference to 1 Kings 14:2-18

The Vision of Isaiah
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 32:32

This same vision is found within the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel

The Sayings of the Seers
Referenced at 2 Chronicles 33:19

Also called The Records of the Seers

Various Writings Found Throughout the Bible
The Manner of the Kingdom
1 Samuel 10:25 - This writing explains the regulations of kingship.  It was written by Samuel shortly after the anointing of King Saul.

The Annotations on the Book of Kings
2 Chronicles 24:27- this writing is said to include the account of Joash’s sons, the prophecies about Joash, and the restoration of the temple of God.

The Annals of the Kings of Israel
2 Chronicles 33:18 - this writing is sometimes translated as “the acts and prayers of Manasseh.” This book may also be identical to the “book of the kings of Israel.”

The Annals of King David
1 Chronicles 27:24 - this writing probably includes the events of King David’s reign.

Various Scrolls
Psalm 40:7                      (Jesus quoted this scroll in Hebrews 10:7)
Psalm 56:8                       (King David asks God to list his tears and lament on this scroll)
Isaiah 29:11                    (A scroll that is sealed)
Isaiah 30:8                      (Concerning Israel’s rebellion)
Isaiah 34:16                    (The people uprooted from their land and given to the animals)
Jeremiah 36:2-32         (The LORD’s warning to the people)
Jeremiah 51:63              (this scroll was thrown into the Euphrates River)
Ezekiel 2:9                        (Ezekiel eats this scroll before he is taken away by the Spirit)
Daniel 12:4                       (words of the scroll are sealed up until the time of the end)
Malachi 3:16                   (scroll of remembrance)
2 Timothy 4:13              (Paul’s scrolls and parchments that he requests)
Revelation 1:11              (scroll sent to the seven churches in Asia)
Revelation 5:1-9             (scroll sealed with seven seals that no one can open except for Jesus)
Revelation 10:2-10         (little scroll that John of Patmos is told to eat)