Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament Set - (Hardcover)

About the Book

This series brings to life the world of the Old Testament through informative entries and full-color photos and graphics. Here readers find the premier commentary set for connecting with the historical and cultural context of the Old Testament.

Book Synopsis

An image rich, passage-by-passage, five-volume commentary box set of the entire Old Testament.

The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary integrates textual and artifactual context from the ancient Near East to inform our understanding and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible--while remaining respectful to the inerrancy of Scripture.

Without a deep knowledge of the ancient cultures the Old Testament was born from, we can be tempted to impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This unique Bible backgrounds commentary set examines:

• The history of the ancient Near East as a means of recovering knowledge of the events that shaped the lives of the people.
• The archaeology as a means of recovering the lifestyle reflected in the material cultures.
• The literature of the ancient Near East as a means of understanding the heart and soul of the people who inhabited the ancient world that Israel shared.

Detailed exegetical notes are combined with comparative discussions of the cultural settings that help scholars interpret the Old Testament. This set brings all five volumes together into one beautiful package:

• Volume 1: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
• Volume 2: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel
• Volume 3: 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
• Volume 4: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
• Volume 5: Minor Prophets, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

THE ZONDERVAN ILLUSTRATED BIBLE BACKGROUNDS COMMENTARY SERIES

Invites you to enter the world of the Old Testament with a company of seasoned guides, experts who will give new insights into these cherished writings. Features:

• Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams, and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text.
• Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more.
• Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages.
• Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.

From the Back Cover

Many today find the Old Testament a closed book. The cultural issues seem insurmountable and we are easily baffled by that which seems obscure. Furthermore, without knowledge of the ancient culture we can easily impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This series invites you to enter the Old Testament with a company of guides, experts that will give new insights into these cherished writings. Features include * Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text. * Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more. * Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. * Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.

Review Quotes

'A unique and important commentary. ...There is nothing else like it available today.'--Richard E. Averbeck, professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Seminary

'Enables scholars, pastors, and laity to access the rich data from over one hundred and seventy years of explorations and excavations in the Near East.'--K. Lawson Younger, professor of Old Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

'This is an impressive and rich resource...judiciously researched. ...Notwithstanding their traditional approach to Scripture, I heartily recommend this series with enthusiasm.'--Shalom Paul, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Bible Department, Hebrew University

'This tool is a rich gift to everyone who seeks to teach Scriptures.'--John Ortberg, author and pastor

'To me, every Christian should own these commentaries.'--Dan Kimball, author and pastor