Of Earth & Stone
Recommended
Resources
There is a wealth of valuable, biblical resources available to the student of the Word. The list we have provided below is not meant to be exhaustive or the “end all be all” on resources we highly recommend. Instead, it is meant to be a “jumping off point” for Christians eager to dive deeper into contextual studies of the Bible. We have done our best to suggest materials that we feel are accessible to the average layperson, not cumbersome in technical details yet theologically sound and academically credible. Many of these resources are not only available in print but as digital resources on software apps such as Logos or Olive Tree.
For a phenomenal, exhaustive bibliography of useful tools to aid students of the Bible—whether a serious scholar or an earnest disciple—see the “Annotated Bibliography—Hermeneutical Tools” compiled by Drs. Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard, Jr. in Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017), pp. 637-681. Their practical list offers a wide range of suggestions on biblical resources not mentioned in our brief list below, important tools like original language studies, theological dictionaries, lexicons, commentaries, academic journals, and more.
Study Bibles
A simple way to begin to dig deeper into the Scriptures is with a study Bible. We have found the following two Bibles to be particularly useful with their maps, timelines, charts, and extensive notes on cultural, historical, and geographical details. While we may not necessarily agree with every interpretation an editor or contributor may come to within the pages of these study Bibles, overall, we have high praise for these two resources.
1 / Keener, Craig S. and John H. Walton, eds. Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016. Available in NIV, NKJV, or NRSV.
2 / ESV Study Bible. Wheaton: Crossway, 2008.
Nearly 100 scholars and Bible teachers contributed to the supplemental content within this study Bible. It is available in a variety of print formats including hardback, leather, and large print.
Historical Geography
The geography of the Bible has aptly been labeled by scholars as a “character” within the biblical narratives who should not be overlooked. Better understanding the stage on which the story of our salvation was played out will help disciples of Christ deepen their understanding of the text and its message. We recommend beginning with Wright’s book before proceeding to the others.
1 / Aharoni, Yohanan. The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography. Revised and enlarged edition. Translated and edited by A. F. Rainey. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1979.
2 / Baly, Denis. The Geography of the Bible. New and revised edition. New York: Harper & Row, 1974.
A more technical approach to the geography of the land with highly valuable details on climate, geological formation, and more.
3 / Wright, Paul H. Holman Illustrated Guide to Biblical Geography: Reading the Land. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2020.
Considerably the best of its genre and time, this authoritative and thorough work is easy to navigate and rich in application. Suitable for scholars, students, and the learning layperson.
Bible Dictionaries
A Bible dictionary is not simply a source offering a one- or two-sentence definition on a topic. Instead, they include short essays detailing people, places, customs, and more. Whether you are curious as to what a census entailed or what a grinding stone looked like or what styles of dwellings were common in the time of the Israelite kings, a quality Bible dictionary is worth the investment.
1 / Freedman, David N., ed. The Anchor [Yale] Bible Dictionary [ABD]. 6 vols. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1992.
An extensive and thorough set with over 800 contributing scholars, the ABD provides detailed, well-researched assessments of biblical topics from Adam to Ziklag. Suitable for the serious scholar, eager student, and general public.
2 / Yamauchi, Edwin M. and Marvin R. Wilson. Dictionary of Daily Life in Biblical and Post-Biblical Antiquity: Complete in One Volume A-Z. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Academic, 2017.
This unique dictionary focuses in on aspects of daily life in Bible times like manners, customs, cultural practices, and more. Also available in a 4-volume set.
3 / InterVarsity Press (IVP) has an 8-volume set of dictionaries pertaining to the Old and New Testament eras, each volume filled with topical research associated with a particular genre of the Bible.
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (Alexander et al., 2003).
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (Arnold et al., 2005).
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings (Longman et al., 2008).
Dictionary of the Old Testament Prophets (Boda et al., 2012).
Dictionary of New Testament Background (Evans et al., 2000).
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, 2nd ed. (Green 2013).
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, 2nd ed. (McKnight et al., 2023).
Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Davids et al., 1997).
Bible Atlases
A quality Bible atlas will help students envision and make sense of the events within the Bible, setting the stage for key stories and highlighting geographical and geopolitical insight a reader might initially miss. We recommend beginning with an atlas from authors like Rasmussen, Aharoni et al., or Beitzel before proceeding to the more technical Sacred Bridge by Rainey.
1 / Aharoni, Yohana, Michael Avi-Yonah, Anson F. Rainey, Ze’ev Safrai, and R. Steven Notley. The Carta Bible Atlas. 5th edition. Jerusalem: Carta, 2011.
An excellent resource that takes a chronological approach to mapping out the narratives of the Bible and the historical events that surround them.
2 / Beitzel, Barry J. The New Moody Atlas of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009.
3 / Rainey, Anson F., and R. Steven Notley. The Sacred Bridge: Carta’s Atlas of the Biblical World. Second emended & enhanced edition. Jerusalem: Carta, 2014.
Highly recommended for the serious student and scholar.
4 / Rasmussen, Carl G. Zondervan Atlas of the Bible. Revised edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
Taking a historical and geographical approach to visualizing the lands of the Bible, this atlas abounds in colorful maps, charts, tables, and photographs.
Archaeology
If you are looking for synthesized and scholarly information on the material culture associated with the Bible lands, the following resources are recommended.
1 / Magness, Jodi. The Archaeology of the Holy Land: From the Destruction of Solomon’s Temple to the Muslim Conquest. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
2 / Murphy O’Connor, Jerome. The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
If you plan to visit the Holy Land and desire reliable yet concise information on the sites you visit, be sure to pack this guide with you.
3 / Yale University Press published a 3-volume set entitled Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, each volume treating a different chronological period.
Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000-586 BCE (Mazar, 1992).
Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 732-332 BCE (Stern, 2001).
Alexander to Constantine: Archaeology of the Land of the Bible (Meyers and Chancey, 2012).
4 / Stern, Ephraim, ed. New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land [NEAEHL]. 5 vols. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 1993 and 2008.
For a more in-depth look at particular sites in the Holy Land and the material culture found during their excavations, this set is a gold mine. The invaluable, supplementary fifth volume from 2008 updates all excavations through 2005.
5 / If you are interested in staying up-to-date with recent publications, the Biblical Archaeological Society offers an all-access membership to its online resources including past and current issues of its quarterly journal, Biblical Archaeology Review, digital access to NEAEHL (mentioned above), and more.
Culture and Society
A key component of biblical interpretation is understanding the social world of the Bible whether in the time of Abraham or the time of Paul. Scholarly resources addressing cultural backgrounds of the Bible prove themselves invaluable as the student aims to step into the shoes of the original authors and audience.
OLD TESTAMENT ERA
1 / King, Philip and Lawrence Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
2 / Matthews, Victor and Don C. Benjamin. The Social World of Ancient Israel: 1250-587 BCE. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011 [1993].
NEW TESTAMENT ERA
1 / Burge, Gary M. and Gene L. Green. The New Testament in Antiquity: A Survey of the New Testament Within Its Cultural Contexts. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
An excellent introduction to the world of the New Testament, this volume presents background details to this historical era, cultural commentary, and a detailed yet very readable survey of each New Testament book.
2 / Parker, Cyndi. Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2021.
A clear and engaging overview of the historical, geographical, and social world of the first century, this book is a must read for those hungry to better understand the culture in which Jesus lived.
Map-Marking Projects
While the maps at the back of your Bible may prove helpful for a general understanding of the Bible lands, a more in-depth look at particular stories on particular terrain prove useful to the student.
Interact with the lands of the Bible with a hands-on, map-marking experience produced by James Monson and Steven Lancaster. Biblical Backgrounds provides students with highly detailed maps and marking guides to better learn and track the stories related to Bible times. Additional resources like chronological timelines and studies on the regions, routes, and geology of the Bible lands are also available.
Photo Libraries of the Biblical Lands
1 / BiblePlaces.com, created by Dr. Todd Bolen and his team, offers high-quality photo collections of the biblical lands for purchase. Proving to be a valuable resource for pastors, teachers, and students of the Bible, these archives capture the visuals of the Holy Land and beyond, from archaeological ruins to cultural imagery. Pre-designed PowerPoint presentations, notated with study commentary on biblical topics or passages, are also available.
2 / HolyLandPhotos.org, created by Dr. Carl Rasmussen, provides you with nearly 7,000 photos of the biblical lands free for download when used non-commercially. A search engine allows you to pull photos related to specific passages or events in the Bible, and a complete site list offers an overview of all photos available.