This book is Based on the Apocryphal Book of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, which were originally written around the 16-17 Century BC or around 3700 years ago, by the 12 sons of Jacob, who himself was also known as 'Israel'. 'Israel' is the Hebrew name Yisrael, meaning 'God contends', or 'one who struggles with God'.Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs covers the whole panorama of the nation of Israel from Abraham to the Messiah and on to Eternity. It is one of the most important ancient manuscripts, apparently re-written between 107 and 137 B.C. from much older manuscripts. Until 1885 many of the apocryphal books used to be in the KJV of the Bible. Many of the apocryphal books can still be found in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles to this day.