The World of the Bible

by Roberta L. Harris

Few regions of the world can boast such a rich and complex history as the Holy Land. In this authoritatively written and magnificently illustrated new survey, Roberta L. Harris explores its turbulent past, interweaving events of the biblical narrative with the latest archaeological research and interpretations.

Lying near the cradle of civilization in the Near East and at the crossroads of three continents, the Holy Land was not only constantly fought over by the empires of Egypt, Babylon, Assyria and the Hittites, it was also the birthplace of two of the world's great religions and an early home to a third.

The World of the Bible begins in the fertile crescent where civilization first arose and explores the ancient cities of Ur, Mari and Ebla. The reader follows the fate of the Israelites under the pharaohs and studies their subsequent return to Canaan, the settlement of the Israelite tribes, and the rise of the Old Testament empires.

Full coverage is given to the development of the area's major religions, tracing the ancestry of Judaism, Jesus and the origins of Christianity, and the arrival of Islam in the 7th century. Illustrated features are included on many aspects of biblical life, and on topics such as the origins of the alphabet and the tragic siege of Masada. With detailed maps and site plans, a timeline of the principal events and a gazetteer of sites and museums to visit, this is an accessible, lively and informative introduction to the Bible lands.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Middle East, Christianity, Ancient History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

Reviews

[Reeds · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm confused by this book. In the book, the author says that she doesn't believe what the Bible says. Why compile a book, that is about a book that you don't believe in?

Things like what ancient king reigned when, may be accurate, but I wouldn't take this author's opinion about whether something written in the Bible is true or not.

Why is it that several megalomaniac kings who literally skin people alive, and put their skin on their city walls, if these guys brag that they did something on a cuneiform, it is believed?
But if the Bible says God did something, oh no, that is impossible.
Only ruthless murderers will be believed.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful, short history, centring on archaeology and with lots of pictures, which makes it a pleasant coffee-table affair. Its tiresome desire to oppose Christian tradition whenever it has the chance gives it a two-star rating. For example, there is mention of the empress Helena mystically discovering the tomb of Christ (among other holy sites), but no mention of the bishop of Jerusalem, Macarius, (and probably other bishops and priests of the church, who had inherited old traditions) who directed her. Otherwise, it is a nice and bright archaeological survey of the Holy Land.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archaeology can provide background information about situations from the Bible. The nature of the information, however, is inherently different form biblical information- it does not have a message. This text draws from archaeological, political, and socioeconomic history to illustrate the world of the Bible, not vet it's accuracy. I would recommend to anyone who is considering a serious study of the Old/New Testament.

[Dawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our textbook for a class I took at BYU Jerusalem, but I've read it a couple times since- I love love love it! It made the old testament come alive for me. It's all the secular history and archaeology of the Bible.

[Andy]

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