Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible [Hardcover]

Carl G. Rasmussen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999 | Series: Premier Reference Series

The Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the most comprehensive Bible atlas available for personal and classroom study. It is designed for both quick reference and detailed study. The GEOGRAPHICAL SECTION presents the physical geography of the lands of the biblical world, from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Clear, detailed descriptions will give the reader a vivid picture of regions that are the backdrop of biblical history and that influenced, to a much greater degree than commonly understood, the course of that history. The Israel/Jordan region especially is discussed in depth. The Atlas divides the area into twenty-three natural regions and discusses physical features such as distances, topography, climate, natural lines of communication, soil types, agricultural uses, major sources of water, and role in biblical times. The reader can visualize the various regions with the help of 'block diagrams,' which provide a three-dimensional, bird's-eye view of each region. The HISTORICAL SECTION presents in detail the flow of biblical history in its geographical context and shows how geography influenced the course of biblical history. Each chapter in this section begins with a chronological chart for the period under discussion, allowing the reader to see at a glance how the history of Israel fit into the history of the Ancient Near East as a whole. A separate section on JERUSALEM traces the history and development of the city that is at the center of much of biblical history. A chapter on THE DISCIPLINES OF HISTORICAL GEOGRPAHY shows the reader how the actual sites of ancient cities are rediscovered -- an often complex process that stirs the imagination with the excitement of highly specialized detective work. An outstanding feature of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the GAZETTEER. This is an exhaustive place-name index that gives the exact geographical location for each name with the pages and maps on which the name may be found in the Atlas. In addition it gives a brief biblical/historical summary for each name , with Scripture references, and the modern-day name in Hebrew and/or Arabic. Several appendixes add to the usefulness of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. - A two-page CHRONOLOGICAL CHART provides a quick overview of the history of the Ancient Near East. - A GLOSSARY of terms aids the reader in understanding the text without having to resort to dictionaries or encyclopedias. - A BIBLIOGRAPHY provides the reader with suggestions for further, in-depth reading of the study. - A SCRIPTURE INDEX and an INDEX OF PERSONS will aid especially the pastor and teacher. This is why the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible will become the standard by which serious students will measure other Bible atlases.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the most comprehensive Bible atlas available for personal and classroom study. It is designed for both quick reference and detailed study. The GEOGRAPHICAL SECTION presents the physical geography of the lands of the biblical world, from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Clear, detailed descriptions will give the reader a vivid picture of regions that are the backdrop of biblical history and that influenced, to a much greater degree than commonly understood, the course of that history. The Israel/Jordan region especially is discussed in depth. The Atlas divides the area into twenty-three natural regions and discusses physical features such as distances, topography, climate, natural lines of communication, soil types, agricultural uses, major sources of water, and role in biblical times. The reader can visualize the various regions with the help of "block diagrams," which provide a three-dimensional, bird's-eye view of each region. The HISTORICAL SECTION presents in detail the flow of biblical history in its geographical context and shows how geography influenced the course of biblical history. Each chapter in this section begins with a chronological chart for the period under discussion, allowing the reader to see at a glance how the history of Israel fit into the history of the Ancient Near East as a whole. A separate section on JERUSALEM traces the history and development of the city that is at the center of much of biblical history. A chapter on THE DISCIPLINES OF HISTORICAL GEOGRPAHY shows the reader how the actual sites of ancient cities are rediscovered -- an often complex process that stirs the imagination with the excitement of highly specialized detective work. An outstanding feature of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the GAZETTEER. This is an exhaustive place-name index that gives the exact geographical location for each name with the pages and maps on which the name may be found in the Atlas. In addition it gives a brief biblical/historical summary for each name , with Scripture references, and the modern-day name in Hebrew and/or Arabic. Several appendixes add to the usefulness of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. - A two-page CHRONOLOGICAL CHART provides a quick overview of the history of the Ancient Near East. - A GLOSSARY of terms aids the reader in understanding the text without having to resort to dictionaries or encyclopedias. - A BIBLIOGRAPHY provides the reader with suggestions for further, in-depth reading of the study. - A SCRIPTURE INDEX and an INDEX OF PERSONS will aid especially the pastor and teacher. This is why the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible will become the standard by which serious students will measure other Bible atlases.

About the Author

Carl Rasmussen (PhD, Dropsie University) was a professor of Old Testament at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an adjunct professor at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem. He is the author and creator of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; Supersaver edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310251605
• ISBN-13: 978-0310251606
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carl Rasmussen (PhD, Dropsie University) is an adjunct professor at the Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem. He is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

www.HolyLandPhotos.org is the web site featuring free high resolution images of Israel, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Italy, Syria, and Egypt that Dr. Rasmussen maintains. Each year he leads adult "study tours" to Turkey, Greece, and Israel.

He has spent 16 years of his adult life leading and teaching in Israel, Turkey, Greece, and Jordan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Man, Amazing Book, September 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible (Hardcover)

I am a student at the college where Dr. Rasmussen teaches; I can profess with great confidence that he has extensive first hand knowledge of the Bible and the Holy Land. This knowledge shines through gloriously in this book; the information is presented thoroughly and networked within the pages of the only NIV Atlas of the Bible you will ever need!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best!, June 9, 2009

By 

Edward Choy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible (Hardcover)

I studied under Dr. Rasmussen in Israel and I can say from first hand experience that he is simply the best when it comes to understanding the land of the Bible and communicating it. His atlas not only gives you the maps and pictures but you get a complete historical account of the land, which is worth the price of the book alone. This should be used by any serious student of the bible, especially when studying the history of Israel.

14 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece, January 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible (Hardcover)

This atlas pays accute attention to detail and history. It is THE BEST Bibllical Atlas I have ever used. Carl Rasmussen has definitely set the standard.