The Baker Illustrated Guide to Everyday Life In Bible Times
Fascinating Insights into God's Word
The authors of the Bible routinely employed mention of manners and customs from the ancient world in their inspired writing, fully intending that the Lord would change readers with these images. But modern readers often miss the full literal and figurative meaning of biblical imagery due to the distance in time and experience between the world of today and the world of the Bible.
This fully illustrated guide aims to restore clarity and vitality to these portions of God’s Word in order to help readers grasp the full meaning of Scripture. For example, the entry on anointing defines the nature of this act and the connotations associated with it before illustrating how the biblical authors use the act of anointing in their communication with us–communication that reaches its full maturity in Jesus, the Anointed One. Understanding manners and customs like anointing enriches our experience of reading the Bible–and even helps us correctly interpret it.
This colorful guide clearly and succinctly introduces modern readers to daily life in Bible times. The cultural practices of the past are fascinating on their own, but even more so as they help us grasp the full meaning of Scripture.
This is a fantastic resource! As a pastor it is critical for me to understand as much as I can about the Bible so that I can teach the people God has called me to shepherd. This book is profoundly practical and helpful in understanding the people, culture and land in which the events in the Bible occur. Dr. Beck has given us a great gift in sharing his careful scholarship, love of God’s Word, clear understanding of the culture, languages and people of the biblical world, and a firsthand, deep knowledge of the geography and land of the Bible.
Master biblical geographer Beck turns social historian & ‘unpacks ‘over 120 literal & figurative topics in 300 pages to take the reader back to Bible times.
B. G.
A great companion guide to anyone wanting to get more out of their Bible reading experience.
Becky
Every student of Scripture needs at least one book on biblical backgrounds and culture. Everyday Life in Bible Times is most well researched and up to date resource currently available. I highly recommend that it be included in every pastor and teacher’s library.
Carl
Everyday Life in Bible Times does an excellent job of marrying clear informative writing with interesting insightful photos. Many guides available today offer one or the other. Some are essentially photo books with little information, much more suited for a coffee table than a study desk. Others contain incredible verbal detail but lack visual interest. This work represents a helpful and needed middle ground.
Greg
This is a beautiful and fascinating book, explaining through text and photographs the meaning behind many unfamiliar Bible terms. John Beck provides a very useful handbook to accompany your Bible reading and understanding.
Judy
I pull this out quite often in preaching and teaching preparation. It is thorough, deep, but brief for someone who doesn’t have 45 minutes to an hour to dig through a lot of books or scour the internet far-and-wide for information. It’s indispensable in my work.
Philosophizer
Absolutely fantastic resource for teachers, preachers, and seekers. This work gives texture and depth to the land, people and culture of scripture. Highly recommended.
