Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible

Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000. New Edition, First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. xxxiii, [1] 1425, [21--including color maps] pages. Two column format. Illustrations. This is a heavy volume and if shipped outside of the United States will require an additional shipping payment. Information printed inside front and back covers and on fep and rep. Contents includes a List of Maps; Consulting Editors, Contributors, Preface, Introduction, Abbreviations, and Entries A-Z. Two terms in the title of this volume require some comment (i.e. definition or explanation and elaboration): "Bible" and "Dictionary". "Bible" refers to the Christian Bible, as commonly used in places where the great majority of the people have some affiliation with the christian Church, and includes both the Old and Net Testaments. The OT for Protestands is the same as the Hevrew Scriptires acknoledges by the Jewish community as sacred Scripture. Catholic Christians also accept the Apocrypha or Deuterocaonicals as part of the OT. all of the above are treated in this Dictionary, as well as the NT, which is accepted as canonical scripture by practically all Christian groups. As for the second term, Bible dictionaries generally come in two sizes: multivolume versions and one-volume dictionaries like the familiar Eerdmans Bible Dictionary of which the present volume represents not merely a new edition but in essence a fresh beginning. The one-volume Bible dictionary is interned to be a rapid-response reference work. It should supply sufficient factual information about books and persons, places and events, define words and longer expressions, and thereby fulfill the basic purpose of any dictionary: to explain. 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.