Bible Study Companions

The Oxford Companion to the Bible by Bruce M. Metzger (Editor), Michael D. Coogan (Editor)

The Oxford Companion to the Bible provides an authoritative one-volume reference to the people, places, events, books, institutions, religious belief, and secular influence of the Bible. Written by more than 250 scholars from some 20 nations and embracing a wide variety of perspectives, the Companion offers over seven hundred entries, ranging from brief identifications--who is Dives? where is Pisgah?--to extensive interpretive essays on topics such as the influence of the Bible on music or law. The contributors also explore biblical views of modern issues such as homosexuality, marriage, and anti-Semitism, and the impact of the Bible on the secular world. Of course, the Companion can also serve as a handy reference, the first place to turn to find factual information on the Bible. Readers will find fascinating, informative articles on all the books of the Bible - including the Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, and many other ancient texts. Virtually every figure who walked across the biblical stage is identified here, ranging from Rebekah, Rachel, and Mary, to Joseph, Barabbas, and Jesus... twenty-eight pages of full-colour maps, providing an accurate, detailed portrait of the biblical world.
The Cambridge Companion to the Bibleby Howard Clark Kee (Editor), Eric M. Meyers (Contributor), John Rogerson, Anthony J. Saldarini (Contributor)
The Cambridge Companion to the Bible is unique in that it provides, in a single volume, in-depth information about the changing historical, social and cultural contexts in which the biblical writers and their original readers lived. The authors of the Companion were chosen for their internationally recognized expertise in their respective fields: the history and literature of Israel; post-biblical Judaism; biblical archaeology; and the origins and early literature of Christianity. The Companion deals not only with the canonical writings, but also with the apocryphal works produced by Jewish and Christian writers. The historical setting for the entire range of these biblical writings is depicted and analyzed in this volume, with abundant illustrations and maps to assist the reader in visualizing the world of the Bible.

The Electronic Format: The Oxford Companion to the Bible ... accessed at the click of a mouse... allows it to be loaded onto the electronic bookshelf and linked directly to The New Oxford Annotated Bible: v.2.0 and The New Oxford Bible Maps. Following research leads from the New Annotated to the Companion and vice versa is now only seconds away. Students, teachers, ministers, religious educators and general readers cannot afford to overlook this important new tool when it comes to building their electronic libraries.



The Harpercollins Bible Dictionary
by Paul J. Achtemeier (Editor), Roger S. Boraas (Editor), Michael Fishbane

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For the maps alone, this book is worth it. Following 1,250 pages that describe and explain the people, places, terms, and events of the Bible from Aaron to Zurishaddai, the 16 spectacular maps detail the political entities and boundaries of biblical times, bringing the historic times to vivid life. A fascinating book, an impressive collection of scholarship, and a possession to cherish, the 188 contributors and five editors show what can be produced if you don't cut corners on excellence.

About the Author
Paul J. Achtemeier is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. A widely respected authority on the Bible, he is the author or co-author of 14 books, former editor of the quarterly Interpretation, and New Testament editor of the Interpretation Biblical Commentary Series. Professor Achtemeier has also been chief executive officer and president of the Society of Biblical Literature, and president of the Catholic Biblical Association.

The Editorial Board of the revised edition of The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary includes associate editors; Roger S. Boraas, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Religion, Uppsala College; Michael Fishbane, Ph.D., Nathan Cummings Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Chicago Divinity School; Pheme Perkins, Ph.D., Professor of Theology (New Testament), Boston College; and William O. Walker, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Religion, Trinity University.

The Society of Biblical Literature is a seven-thousand-member international group of experts on the Bible and related fields.

Product Description:

The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary puts the latest and most comprehensive biblical scholarship at your fingertips. Here is everything you need to know to fully understand the Old Testament, the Apocrypha, and the New Testament. An unparalleled resource, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary explains every aspect of the Bible, including biblical archaeology, culture, related writings such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Bible's influence on Western civilization, biblical history, theological concepts, modern biblical interpretations, flora and fauna, climate and environment, crafts and industry, the content of individual books of the bible, and more.

The Harper Collins Bible Dictionary features:

* Contributions by 193 noted experts on the Bible and the ancient Near East
* More than 3700 entries covering the Bible from A to Z
* Outlines for each book of the Bible
* 590 black-and-white photographs
* 53 color photographs
* An updated pronunciation guide
* 72 black-and-white maps
* 18 color maps
* Dozens of drawings, diagrams, and tables


The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary

by Allen C. Myers (Editor), John W., Jr Simpson (Editor), Philip A. Frank

Amazon.com
A useful companion for scholars, students, and anyone seeking to learn more about the Bible, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible presents a comprehensive critical approach to reading and studying that is detailed and easy to use. Replete with 134 illustrations, 16 color maps, and nearly 5,000 alphabetically ordered articles compiled from 600 sources, this reference offers an excellent core of up-to-date knowledge. The density of each entry is impressive; explanations of historical questions, canonical criticism, and cultural settings are rich and informative. The length of each entry is proportional to the subject. For example, the entry for Dead Sea Scrolls comprises four small-print pages and explores matters such as the discovery, physical description, biblical context, and relation to Judaism, while the definition for Consecrate is nicely contained within one sentence. While most Bible concordances exhaust definitions and descriptions, this single-volume dictionary is intended as a practical "rapid-response reference work" for reading and studying the Bible. Nevertheless, it supplies ample information regarding books (including Apocryphal), persons, places, events, and definitions in a succinct manner. The text is based on the New Revised Standard Bible except where otherwise noted, and bibliographical sources are peppered throughout. --Jacque Holthusen

Product Description:
The Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible gathers nearly 5,000 alphabetically ordered articles that thoroughly yet clearly explain all the books, persons, places, and significant terms found in the Bible. The Dictionary also explores the background of each biblical book and related writings and discusses cultural, natural, geographical, and literary phenomena—matters that Bible students at all levels may encounter in reading or discussion.

Nearly 600 first-rate Bible authorities have contributed to the Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Intended as a tool for practical Bible use, this illustrated dictionary reflects recent archaeological discoveries and the breadth of current biblical scholarship, including insights from critical analysis of literary, historical, sociological, and other methodological issues. The editorial team has also incorporated articles that explore and interpret important focuses of biblical theology, text and transmission, Near Eastern archaeology, extrabiblical writings, and pertinent ecclesiastical traditions—all of which help make the Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible the most comprehensive and up-to-date one-volume Bible dictionary on the market today.

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