Catholic Bible Dictionary [Hardcover]

Scott Hahn (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0385512295 | ISBN-13: 978-0385512299

More than a generation has passed since the appearance of the last major Catholic Bible dictionary. It has been a fertile generation for biblical scholarship, an eventful time for biblical archaeology, and a fruitful time for the Church’s interpretation of the Bible. It is time for a new resource.

Scott Hahn, internationally renowned theologian and biblical scholar, has inspired millions with his insight into the Catholic faith. Now he brings us this important reference guide, written specifically for Catholics, which contains more than five thousand clear and accessible entries and covers a wide range of people, places, and topics. From Genesis to Revelation, the whole of salvation history is presented and explained in smart, easy-to-understand prose.

Catholic Bible Dictionary is an invaluable source of information, insight, and guidance for Catholics and others who are interested in enriching their understanding of Sacred Scripture. Scott Hahn draws from two millennia of scholarship to create an accessible and comprehensive tool for deeper and more rewarding biblical study.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Scott Hahn’s writings and conferences have been so effective in bringing Catholics closer to Sacred Scripture. His valuable Catholic Bible Dictionary will be another big help to faithful Catholics who have taken seriously the Church’s encouragement to become immersed in God’s Word.”
—Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

“Catholic Bible Dictionary is a timely, academically solid and user-friendly response to the call of the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church for the development of ways of helping the faithful more fully access the treasures of the Bible.”
—Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, S.T.D., Archbishop of Washington

“Catholic Bible Dictionary is an extremely useful tool for any Bible student, whether beginner or advanced. This dictionary is particularly helpful for Catholics who need both etymological studies of terms and solid theological help. My only hope is that the readers will study the articles on a regular basis and eventually read the whole dictionary as they study the whole Bible.”
—Fr. Mitchell C. Pacwa, S.J., president of Ignatius Productions and host of EWTN

“Thousands of people have been assisted by Scott Hahn in studying the Bible from an informed and spiritual point of view. This dictionary is a powerful part of that effort and will significantly help any reader learn more about the Bible in an organized and reliable way. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to come to a deeper knowledge and love of sacred scripture.”
—Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR

“Catholic Bible Dictionary is a superb reference book that is an absolute must for all students of Scripture–both clerics and laity. I would never be without a Bible dictionary in my home; however, Catholic Bible Dictionary is not just any Bible dictionary. It is written specifically for Catholics and is therefore more extensive and complete than others. With over five thousand entries as well as the latest up-to-date information on every important item, name, place, and event in Sacred Scripture, this book is essential for students of Scripture; it is also indispensable for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of God’s Word. In fact, I believe that every Catholic who owns a Bible should also have a copy of Catholic Bible Dictionary.”
—Gail Buckley, founder and president of Catholic Scripture Study International

“Catholic Bible Dictionary answers the urgent need for a generally accessible resource deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition. It will be of great help to Catholics in broadening and deepening the familiarity with the Bible they already possess through the regular readings in the liturgy. Particularly helpful are the clear overviews of each book of the Bible that will allow readers to place the selections they hear at mass in their proper context.”
—Dr. Michael Waldstein, Max Seckler Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University and translator of Pope John Paul II’s Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body

“This new, thoroughly sound, and trustworthy Catholic Bible Dictionary is a tremendous gift. With this dictionary on your left and the Catechism on your right, you can confidently and prayerfully study the Sacred Scriptures.”
—Marcus Grodi, TV host, The Journey Home

About the Author

General editor Scott Hahn is founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (SalvationHistory.com). A professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville, he also holds the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He is the author of many books, including The Lamb’s Supper (Doubleday), Kinship by Covenant (Yale), Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Benedict XVI (Baker Academic), and A Pocket Guide to the Bible (Our Sunday Visitor). His academic work has appeared in Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Currents in Biblical Research. He is editor of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and Letter & Spirit: A Catholic Journal of Biblical Theology.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion (June 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385512295
• ISBN-13: 978-0385512299
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Religion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The CATHOLIC BIBLE DICTIONARY We've Been Waiting For!, June 17, 2009

By 

Terry Fenwick (Half Moon Bay, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Catholic Bible Dictionary (Hardcover)

Although I have only been Catholic for 6 years, for over 40 years I have been a Bible student and teacher with literally thousands of books and I do know good resource books. Catholic Bible Dictionary is a great Catholic Dictionary! I trust everything Dr. Scott Hahn has published because I know anyone seeking truth is safe under the teaching of this well-known writer and scholar; the information has been researched historically, as well as having used the Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

I had been on the wait list for the Catholic Bible Dictionary and was anxious for it to arrive. The Dictionary was a long time coming but I knew it would be worth the waiting. I was right! Today the Catholic Bible Dictionary arrived. I dropped everything I was holding, ran for a knife and opened the box! I fell in love with the cover which is a picture of the center section of the painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Jan and Hubert Van Eyck. (Saint Bavo Cathedral of Ghent.) The painting is glorious! And, that is even before I opened the book! Next I opened the book and the first thing I saw was the Imprimatur . . . that is a good thing. Converts really like that.

And then, I love the fonts. It is large print and you know immediately that everything is important. Sections are divided so that you will see where you have been and where you are going! In a dictionary? How unusual is that! And that is just at first glance! You see a list of the Church Fathers . . . this is just the beginning! I have hardly had time to look at everything but I have read some of the introductions of different Books of the Bible and they are perfect; each book of the Bible is identified. There is a history of the versions of the Bible! There are complete definitions for topics not covered in great detail in other dictionaries, i.e., Covenant, Liturgy, Interpretation of the Bible. On the cover there is a notation that there are "over five thousand entries as well as the latest up-to-date information on every important item, name, place, and event in Sacred Scripture."

Catholic Bible Dictionary is an academically solid CATHOLIC dictionary, with many superb references and very easy to read. I have already gifted this beautiful book to five friends and would not hesitate giving this to a Protestant. We will all find Truths we need to know in this new resource book. I will be back and edit this review after I use the book more, however, since people are going to want to know what people are saying about the Catholic Bible Dictionary, I wanted to get this on Amazon.

What do I say? I say one thing - "Buy it! You can't be disappointed."

92 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A word from the General Editor, June 24, 2009

By 

Scott W. Hahn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Catholic Bible Dictionary (Hardcover)

I'm very pleased to present The Catholic Bible Dictionary after working on it for a number of years with a team of colleagues and friends. The book is a reference work aimed at highly motivated Catholic lay people who are intent on a lifetime of Scripture reading and study. I hope it will also be a handy and reliable resource for pastors as they prepare homilies and catechesis. For seminarians, it could provide a solid beginning for biblical research, leading to other resources (lexicons, commentaries etc.).

If you wish to get a good sense of what the Dictionary is about, I'd suggest that you read some of the following articles as samples:

Biblical Criticism; Covenant; Family; Inspiration; Interpretation of the Bible; Jesus Christ; Jubilee; Kingdom; Law; Liturgy; Marriage; Mary, the Mother of Jesus; Messiah; Parousia; Priest, Priesthood; Sacrifice; Temple; Typology.

I'd also recommend the entries on each of the different books of the Bible.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Biblical Resource!, July 8, 2009

By 

Stacy Summers (Denver, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Catholic Bible Dictionary (Hardcover)

Anything that bears the name of Scott Hahn is going to be reliable, orthodox, and comprehensive! This book is no exception. A great resource tool you will "go to" again and again..... I highly recommend this excellent dictionary.... dare I say "encyclopedia!"... for your best reference when studying the Sacred Scriptures!