The Cultural World of the Bible: An Illustrated Guide to Manners and Customs, 4th ed.

by Victor H. Matthews

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2015

Overview

In this thoroughly updated edition of The Cultural World of the Bible from Victor H. Matthews—a leading expert on the social world of the Bible—introduces the manners and customs of the ancient world. From what people wore, ate, and built, to how they exercised justice, mourned, and viewed family and legal customs, this illustrated guide helps readers gain valuable insight into the cultural background of the biblical world.

Key Features

• Includes 50 photos, sidebars, callouts, maps, and charts
• Increases classroom usability with outlines, key terms, and discussion questions
• Illustrates the cultural background of the Bible
• Appeals to students with a user-friendly design

Contents

• Ancestral Period
• Exodus-Settlement Period
• Exile and Return
• Intertestamental and New Testament Periods
• Monarchic Period

Top Highlights

“teach his family the proper ways to worship Yahweh” (Page 71)

“At the same time, to expect archaeological discoveries to prove conclusively ‘the truth of the Bible’ is unreasonable. The findings of archaeologists offer only mute evidence of ancient life and cannot be forced into alignment with the biblical narratives.” (Page 4)

“The primary purpose of a marriage in biblical times was to produce an heir who would inherit his father’s property and carry on the family name and traditions.” (Page 37)

“hroughout the biblical period, men wore the kethoneth, a knee-length wool tunic with half sleeves” (Page 21)

“may be Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Canaanite, or even Philistine about the ancient Israelites. At” (Page 11)

Endorsements

Victor Matthews has produced a text that captures the complexity, beauty, and magnificence of the ancient biblical world. . . . This work is perfect for undergraduate and beginning graduate courses in Bible.

—Carol J. Dempsey, professor of theology, University of Portland

This book will greatly assist students to read the Bible with ancient social worlds in mind.

—Robert D. Miller II, The Catholic University of America

[Matthews’] broad knowledge of the ancient world and its texts will serve well the reader who desires to dig deeper into the Bible and understand it in its cultural context.

—John Walton, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

Product Details

• Title: The Cultural World of the Bible: An Illustrated Guide to Manners and Customs
• Author: Victor H. Matthews
• Edition: Fourth Edition
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2015
• Logos Release Date: 2015
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Jews › Social life and customs--To 70 A.D; Palestine › Social life and customs--To 70 A.D; Bible › Antiquities
• ISBNs: 9781441228260, 9780801049736, 1441228268, 0801049733
• Resource ID: LLS:CLTRLWRLDFRTDTN
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:46:44Z

About Victor H. Matthews

Victor H. Matthews is the dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs and professor of religious studies at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he has taught for 30 years. He is the author of numerous books, including The Old Testament: Text and Context, Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World: An Introduction, and Studying the Ancient Israelites: A Guide to Sources and Methods.