Product Description

A comprehensive resource on the everyday life of the people of the Bible draws on recent archaeological and historical evidence to describe the agriculture, clothing, crafts, commerce, homes, places of worship, and other aspects of their culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #264595 in Books
• Published on: 1996-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 440 pages

Amazon.com Review
Harper's Encyclopedia of Bible Life is a casual yet informative guide to the people and places of biblical times. Completely revised from its original publication in 1944, the book is written for the layperson rather than clerics. It's a handy companion for students--or for anyone curious about the customs, languages, and social structures of the time. The authors, Madeleine S. and J. Lane Miller, are concerned with the very ordinariness of the era--exploring how people lived, the occupations they toiled at, and the kinds of homes they resided in. As with any record of this period, the information is derived from both subjective and objective sources, including archaeological evidence, historical manuscripts, and stories and narratives passed down through the generations.

The book is split into three distinct sections: "The World of the Bible" looks at the New and Old Testaments; "How the People of the Bible Lived" investigates day-to-day living; and "How the People of the Bible Worked" traces livelihoods--from craftsmen to soldiers, and even prostitutes. With over 150 illustrations and information on 74 biblical subjects, Harper's Encyclopedia of Bible Life is a mighty read.

Customer Reviews

A Valuable Resource... Twice Over
Madeleine and J Lane Miller have written a valuable resource for the study of everyday life in Bible times. The blurb inside the dust jacket says that there are 74 subjects in 14 sections with 150 illustrations. There are sections on geography, homes, food, clothing, medicine, family events, the life of a nomad, the life of a professional, etc.

Let's say one is reading the story of David and Bathsheba. One might turn to the section on military life and read Soldering under David. There one might read that Saul was the first to establish a professional army in Israel rather than depend upon a militia. David added mercenaries to his army. In Israel mercenaries worked for wages but had no rights as a member of an Israelite tribe. A mercenary so totally belonged to the king that when a king died, like a concubine, a mercenary passed on to the king's heir. This raises the question to mind as to whether Uriah the Hittite was a mercenary along with other members of "the Thirty." One then might decide to read the section on Prostitutes. Prostitution did exist in Israel and there may have been temple prostitutes at Shiloh in the pre-monarchial period. Deuteronmic Law prohibited both male and female prostitution, but prostitution was a fact of life throughout the Ancient Near East.

Though the Millers have included a section on the Industrial Life, their book is lacking in discussing the economics of Bible life. There are no chapters on money or taxation. Even so I found this to be a valuable resource. When a favorite sister-in-law admired the book, I gave her my first copy. And then I missed the book so I went out and bought a second copy.

Harper's Encyclopedia of the Bible
This is a very well written book on the life of of the people who we read about in the Bible. It can be a little dry at times reading about very detailed life in ancient times and how they struggled but overall a very good reference for your library. The photos are in black and white.

Good Cover
This book really has an excellent cover!