Zondervan Reference Collection (6 vols.)

by John H. Walton; Moisés Silva; Carl G. Rasmussen; John A. Beck

and

2 more

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2006–2011

Overview

What was life like socially, politically, and religiously in Bible times? When studying Scripture, it’s very important to understand the context that surrounds each text. Whether you are preparing a sermon, leading a small group, or seeking to expand your personal knowledge of the Bible, the Zondervan Reference Collection (6 vols.) is the perfect collection to assist you. This collection includes two dictionaries, an atlas, and a Bible reference companion, as well as two volumes that focus specifically on life in Bible times and the Book of Psalms. Providing numerous maps, photographs, illustrations, descriptions, and charts, it allows you to grow in your understanding of the people, places, and events found in Scripture.

Discover the practical applications found in Psalms. Find out what gender roles, social life, and government were like. Unwrap the significance and meaning of biblical imagery used in the Bible. Experience biblical history in a new, comprehensive light!

Key Features

• Hundreds of maps, photographs, illustrations, and charts
• Keen insights on life in Bible times
• Thorough study on the meaning, significance, and application surrounding biblical imagery and the Book of Psalms

Product Details

• Title: Zondervan Reference Collection
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Dates: 2006–2011
• Volumes: 6
• Resource ID: {A67CB8C4-CEDD-424E-9FAE-340E5F623BD7}

The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms

• Authors: Brian Webster, David R. Beach
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 192

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms provides fundamental information regarding the meaning, background, context, and application of the Psalms. In addition to practical application, numerous charts are included that provide information about the various types of psalms (messianic, prophetic, etc.) along with a quick reference list of psalms that lend themselves to being used for worship or personal meditation or as a basis for praying the Scriptures.

Through the use of full-color visual images, the message and world of the Psalms are brought to life in a way never before presented, making this book not only an excellent resource for understanding the Psalms. The Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms is a must-have for students of the Bible, pastors, and anyone who desires to possess a unique reference guide to these ancient works of poetry and worship.

Brian L. Webster (PhD) is Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He did his doctoral work at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He is a homeschooling father of four and a Youth Leader at his church.

David R. Beach (MA) is a licensed counselor who studied under Dr. Dan Allender at Mars Hill Graduate School. He teaches spiritual formation and psychology courses at Cornerstone University. He also cofounded Soul Seasons with his wife Cynthia—a workshop based ministry focused on spiritual and creative formation.

The Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times

• Author: Moisés Silva
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 144

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

The Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times organizes material in thematic fashion and distills from the various articles the information that is most useful for appreciating the cultural background of the biblical writings. The book begins with a chapter on the family, describing what the Bible says about children, from their birth through their education, and discusses the roles played by men and women when they reached adulthood. The topics of sex, marriage, divorce, old age, death, and burial are also treated. From there, topics include:

• The household: from house architecture and furniture to the subjects of food and water, as well as health and illness in biblical times
• Social life: including population, the calendar, economics, crafts, travel and trade, dress, and music
• Government: in the towns, the larger cities, and the state; including the role of the king, as well as the function of elders and officials
• Israel’s religious life: from the use of high places and altars, to the importance of the tabernacle and the temple, to the role of priests and Levites

Drawing on a wealth of material from the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible and the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, this book is most useful for uncovering, understanding, and appreciating the cultural background of the biblical writings.

Moisés Silva taught biblical studies at Westmont College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Seminary. He is the author or coauthor of eight books and the revising editor of the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible.

The Essential Bible Dictionary

• Author: Moisés Silva
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 240

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

If you are looking for a Bible study tool that is compact, easy to understand, and does not require a Bible degree to use, then The Essential Bible Dictionary is for you. In addition to defining words, places, people, and the many themes of the Bible, this concise reference work is:

• Visually stimulating, with full-color images and illustrations
• Ideal for use in devotions or personal Bible study
• A storehouse of information, providing essential information regarding the world of the Bible
• Organized A–Z
• Filled with charts and maps that bring the everyday world of the Bible to life

The Essential Bible Dictionary is for all ages and provides insights into the world of the Bible for years to come. For use with any translation of the Bible, and presented in full-color, this is the most up-to-date, trusted resource for devotions, personal Bible study, and teaching.

Moisés Silva taught biblical studies at Westmont College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Seminary. He is the author or coauthor of eight books and the revising editor of the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible.

Zondervan Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

• Editor: John A. Beck
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 288

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Biblical authors seized imagery drawn from everyday life and redeployed it in the service of divine revelation. But today’s readers are not familiar with many of these once-common illustrations. The distance in time, place, and culture between the Bible’s first recipients and people today often mutes the rhetorical impact of such images.

Students of the Bible need someone to explain both the meaning and significance of the imagery found in the biblical text. The Zondervan Dictionary of Biblical Imagery provides the kind of assistance today’s readers need. Entries explain images that correspond to a cultural artifact from the biblical world (such as arrow or sandal), a component of natural history (such as fox or fig tree), a named place (such as Mount Sinai or Nazareth), or a component of the Promised Land’s physical geography (such as mountain or wilderness) Each entry contains a description of the element or image, examples of how the image is used in the biblical text, and appropriate photographs and maps that further illustrate the ideas presented. Students of Scripture will find the Zondervan Dictionary of Biblical Imagery a fascinating and inspiring portal to the biblical world.

John Beck earned his ThM and PhD from Trinity International University and is currently an adjunct instructor for Jerusalem University College. His passion to aid others in their Bible reading has led to the publication of a variety of books, including The Land of Milk and Honey, God as Storyteller, and A Visual Guide to Bible Events.

Zondervan Atlas of the Bible

• Author: Carl G. Rasmussen
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 304

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

This major revision of the Gold Medallion Award-winning Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is a visual feast that will help you experience the geography and history of Scripture with unprecedented clarity. The first section of the Atlas introduces the "playing board" of biblical history—using three–dimensional maps and photographic images to help the lands of the Bible come alive. The next section, arranged historically, begins with Eden and traces the historical progression of the Old and New Testaments. It provides an engaging, accurate, and faithful companion to God’s Word—illuminating the text with over one hundred full-color, multidimensional maps created with the help of Digital Elevation Modeling data. It concludes with chapters on the history of Jerusalem, the disciplines of historical geography, and the most complete and accurate listing and discussion of place-names found in any atlas.

Throughout the Atlas, innovative graphics, chronological charts, and over one hundred specially selected images help illuminate the geographical and historical context of biblical events. The Zondervan Atlas of the Bible is destined to become a favorite guide to biblical geography for students of the Bible. This accessible and complete resource will assist you as you enter into the world of the Bible as never before.

Carl Rasmussen (PhD, Dropsie University) was Professor of Old Testament at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem. He is the author and creator of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible.

Exploring the Story: A Reference Companion

• Author: Adam Barr
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 176

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Exploring the Story helps you understand and grasp the significance of each chapter in the The Story, an innovative Bible that presents Scripture as a continuous narrative in chronological order. The big picture of God’s redemptive plan comes into focus as you learn about the following elements:

• Timeline: shows how the events of The Story relate to the rest of history
• Plot Points: briefly describes the key narrative themes of a passage
• Cast of Characters: introduces the people featured in the text
• Chapter Overview: summarizes the corresponding chapter in The Story
• Discussion Questions: gives ideas for individual or group reflection
• Section Commentary: presents theological issues, important archaeological discoveries, or launch points for further discussion

Small group leaders, pastors, and lay students of the Bible will gain a deeper understanding of God’s life-changing redemptive plan by reading this book alongside The Story.

Adam T. Barr is Pastor of Teaching Ministries at Corinth Reformed Church and President of Borderlands, a ministry that equips church and campus ministries to disciple Next Generation leaders. He has earned degrees from Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and studied at Westminster Theological Seminary. He updated, edited, and contributed to the Zondervan Illustrated Commentary: One-Volume Illustrated Edition.