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Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version
Clear . . . Simple . . . Easy to read -- This world-renowned Bible handbook is updated and revised to provide even greater clarity, insight, and usefulness. Now with NIV text! Do you need help understanding the Bible? Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version makes the Bible's wisdom and message accessible to you. Whether you've never read the Bible before or have read it many times, you'll find insights here that can give you a firm grasp of God's Word. You'll develop an appreciation for the cultural, religious, and geographic settings in which the story of the Bible unfolds. You'll see how its different themes fit together in a remarkable way. And you'll see the heart of God and the person of Jesus Christ revealed from Genesis to Revelation. Written for both mind and heart, this completely revised, updated, and expanded 25th edition of Halley's Bible Handbook retains Dr. Halley's highly personal style. It features: - All-new maps, photographs, and illustrations - Contemporary design - Bible references in easy-to-read, best-selling New International Version (NIV) Practical Bible reading programs - Helpful tips for Bible study - Fascinating archaeological information - Easy-to-understand sections on how we got the Bible and on church history - Improved indexes
864 pages, ebook
First published May 7, 2002
376 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Henry H. Halley
44 books10 followersaka: Henry Hampton Halley
Dr. Henry H. Halley was a well-respected author, minister, and Bible lecturer, dedicating his life to spreading his passion for Bible study and memorization. The original "Halley's Bible Handbook" grew from small pamphlets about the Bible that he gave away to encourage churches and individuals in Bible study.
Dr. Henry H. Halley was a well-respected author, minister, and Bible lecturer, dedicating his life to spreading his passion for Bible study and memorization. The original "Halley's Bible Handbook" grew from small pamphlets about the Bible that he gave away to encourage churches and individuals in Bible study.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 25, 2009
I bought this book because it was free in the Kindle store for a spell. I'm glad I didn't pay anything for it.
Overall, my problem with this book is twofold: 1) it takes an unquestioning literalist view of the entire Bible, and 2) it demonstrates a severe lack of intellectual curiosity throughout.
I maintain that the result is worse than no study guide whatsoever.
The fact that Christianity is a broad tent, and that the Bible has been read in various ways over the centuries and today, is lost to Halley. I do not mind the presentation of the literalist view if it were combined with other credible viewpoints past and present. But to assert that this is the ONLY way to read the Bible is doing a terrible disservice to a religion, and misrepresents it in a egregious fashion. Christianity has had a brief literalist bubble, and there is much that the thinking Christian can question about such an interpretation, which is perhaps why it is dying off.
Let me provide a few choice quotes.
"Accept the Bible just as it is, for exactly what it claims to be. Don't worry about the theories of the critics. The ingenious efforts of modern criticism to undermine the historical reliability of the Bible will pass..." It is terribly bothersome to me that a purported study guide is encouraging people trying to intellectually engage the Bible to suspend their intellect. For whom shall find Christianity relevant today if we cannot understand it in the context of modern science? Christianity ought not fear science, nor science religion; the two ought to be embraced together, and the religious can learn about the Bible from science.
Regarding the creation story: "How did the writer know what happened before man appeared? No doubt God revealed the remote past, as later the distant future was made known to the prophets." No mention of other viewpoints -- that it has strong parallels to other ancient creation myths, what science and philosophy have to say, etc. Even Wikipedia's Creation_myth page reminds us that the Church was not literalist.
In the introduction, it advances the view that the Bible is "God's own record of His dealings with people in His unfolding revelation of Himself to the human race... Nor do we know just how God directed these authors to write. But we believe and know that God did rect them and that these books therefore must be exactly what God wanted them to be."
That is of course a rather controversial view, though it was perhaps widely held in some circles. But it boggles the mind, and ignores, for one thing, the multiple ancient sources that modern Bible assemblers must attempt to synthesize to make a coherent book.
The only value I see in this book is a glimpse at the viewpoint of an earlier age. At that it may excel. As a guide for someone alive today -- frankly I am surprised that it has garnered such high reviews here.
I have nothing against literalists; I respect them even if I disagree. But to pretend that there isn't even a debate here borders on the dishonest, and certainly sidelines this book out of the "serious and useful scholarly work" bookshelf.
Overall, my problem with this book is twofold: 1) it takes an unquestioning literalist view of the entire Bible, and 2) it demonstrates a severe lack of intellectual curiosity throughout.
I maintain that the result is worse than no study guide whatsoever.
The fact that Christianity is a broad tent, and that the Bible has been read in various ways over the centuries and today, is lost to Halley. I do not mind the presentation of the literalist view if it were combined with other credible viewpoints past and present. But to assert that this is the ONLY way to read the Bible is doing a terrible disservice to a religion, and misrepresents it in a egregious fashion. Christianity has had a brief literalist bubble, and there is much that the thinking Christian can question about such an interpretation, which is perhaps why it is dying off.
Let me provide a few choice quotes.
"Accept the Bible just as it is, for exactly what it claims to be. Don't worry about the theories of the critics. The ingenious efforts of modern criticism to undermine the historical reliability of the Bible will pass..." It is terribly bothersome to me that a purported study guide is encouraging people trying to intellectually engage the Bible to suspend their intellect. For whom shall find Christianity relevant today if we cannot understand it in the context of modern science? Christianity ought not fear science, nor science religion; the two ought to be embraced together, and the religious can learn about the Bible from science.
Regarding the creation story: "How did the writer know what happened before man appeared? No doubt God revealed the remote past, as later the distant future was made known to the prophets." No mention of other viewpoints -- that it has strong parallels to other ancient creation myths, what science and philosophy have to say, etc. Even Wikipedia's Creation_myth page reminds us that the Church was not literalist.
In the introduction, it advances the view that the Bible is "God's own record of His dealings with people in His unfolding revelation of Himself to the human race... Nor do we know just how God directed these authors to write. But we believe and know that God did rect them and that these books therefore must be exactly what God wanted them to be."
That is of course a rather controversial view, though it was perhaps widely held in some circles. But it boggles the mind, and ignores, for one thing, the multiple ancient sources that modern Bible assemblers must attempt to synthesize to make a coherent book.
The only value I see in this book is a glimpse at the viewpoint of an earlier age. At that it may excel. As a guide for someone alive today -- frankly I am surprised that it has garnered such high reviews here.
I have nothing against literalists; I respect them even if I disagree. But to pretend that there isn't even a debate here borders on the dishonest, and certainly sidelines this book out of the "serious and useful scholarly work" bookshelf.
October 30, 2023
read it with your Bible and you’ll probably know more then the average Christian
Full of great information, archeological, historical, founding of the church. Great overall view of Christianity. Took me awhile to getting around to reading it, but finished it today. Peace.
Full of great information, archeological, historical, founding of the church. Great overall view of Christianity. Took me awhile to getting around to reading it, but finished it today. Peace.
August 8, 2011
I was disappointed with the updated version. I also have the 22nd edition published in 1959/
April 24, 2022
I didn’t read it once when I was supposed to in college, but this thing made me fall in love with reading scripture after college. 10/10 would recommend buying it!!!!
May 2, 2022
A treasure for Bible study
Halleys Bible handbook has been a vast collection of important Bible resource material in my Christian life. I highly recommend it.
Halleys Bible handbook has been a vast collection of important Bible resource material in my Christian life. I highly recommend it.
June 4, 2025
This was a great commentary! I wish it had had a few more full color pictures but this was a great overview commentary!
February 14, 2018
Excellent reference book - very detailed and useful for layman's study or as reference material when preparing for teaching adult Sunday school classes.
August 18, 2017
3 stars [Literary]
Writing: 2.5; Use: 3.5; Truth: 2.5-3.
This is an updated version of the first Bible handbook ever published, by a man who loved the Word of God and wanted others to read it more. It is 1,056 pages of high-gloss pages, including good-resolution pictures of objects of art, geographical features, buildings, manuscripts, etc. In addition to relaying material on the Bible book-by-book, it has background information and supplementary information taking up about 175 pages.
After surveying two other books, this was in my estimation the best textbook to assign in a high-school level Bible Survey. Its strengths are love of Scripture, pleasing illustration, and useful bits of information the average Bible reader does not know. Its sole weakness is that Halley (and/or his later editors) often present his solution to exegetical or cultural Bible difficulties too simplistically. He doesn't cover almost any nuance amidst these difficulties, but as it appears he didn't go to seminary, this might be expected.
Recommended only to Christians, of course--those who want to recommit to Bible study, or want a deeper background knowledge. It is better--as Halley himself avows--for one to read the Bible itself.
Writing: 2.5; Use: 3.5; Truth: 2.5-3.
This is an updated version of the first Bible handbook ever published, by a man who loved the Word of God and wanted others to read it more. It is 1,056 pages of high-gloss pages, including good-resolution pictures of objects of art, geographical features, buildings, manuscripts, etc. In addition to relaying material on the Bible book-by-book, it has background information and supplementary information taking up about 175 pages.
After surveying two other books, this was in my estimation the best textbook to assign in a high-school level Bible Survey. Its strengths are love of Scripture, pleasing illustration, and useful bits of information the average Bible reader does not know. Its sole weakness is that Halley (and/or his later editors) often present his solution to exegetical or cultural Bible difficulties too simplistically. He doesn't cover almost any nuance amidst these difficulties, but as it appears he didn't go to seminary, this might be expected.
Recommended only to Christians, of course--those who want to recommit to Bible study, or want a deeper background knowledge. It is better--as Halley himself avows--for one to read the Bible itself.
August 1, 2009
I have been reading this book all summer. I agree with Mr. Halley that every well educated person should study the Bible on a regular basis. Just the history that is taught in the Bible is a great study in itself. The way that the author writes gives me the feeling that he is talking in a down to earth friendly way about this fabulous piece of literature. He gives Christians a picture of what the Bible is about from start to finish so that we can see the whole picture of why things happened the way they did. I espexially like the article about how we got the Bible. I reccomend this book to all people who seek to be well informed and enlightened.
October 2, 2015
While not nearly comprehensive, this Bible Handbook is a fantastic touchpoint for historical and archaeological information pertaining to the Bible. It can be a great resource for those looking to expand their contextual knowledge of many New and Old Testament scriptures, and also for those interested in history. Each book of the Bible is covered with contextual information, interpretive insights and swathes of factual background. I use it fairly frequently.
May 31, 2009
I learned about who was believed to author the gospels and the rest of the new testament. This is a great reference book that descries the modern day area of the land where the disciples and Jesus lived. Plenty of histoy is included in this author's writing. I will use this book more than once and I am glad to have a copy of it when I have questions.
August 12, 2014
I used to love this handbook but I've since found better ones (baker illustrated) and since finding a better one this sits on the shelf more and more. Often it's very brief contextual and even historical background compared to the Baker is illustrated handbook I have. I still like it better than other handbooks I've looked at so I say it's a three star review.
October 31, 2010
Supposedly this is taught in seminary courses. I was not overly impressed. So-so survey of the bible but not an overly scholarly treatment. I don't understand why this book is as popular as it its.
January 2, 2008
I used an older version of this when I first began studying the Bible. It was quite helpful if slightly limited in its perspective.
July 17, 2008
everyone needs it
Currently reading
October 7, 2009Awsome historical account of the Bible!
Read
June 14, 2013good overview
April 12, 2015
I have the e-book edition. It is a fantastic resource but I wish I had a physical book to thumb through.
July 9, 2018
I read through the commentary on Revelation, and then had to give it up in favor of other books because of limited time. Lots of helpful stuff though.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews