The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Volume 1 (Hardcover)

by David Noel Freedman (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
In the past 30 years , there have been three major encyclopedic Bible dictionaries published in English: The Interpreter's Bible Dictionary (IBD ), the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible , and The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ( ISBE ). When it was published in 1962 (with a supplementary volume in 1976), the IBD represented the state of critical Biblical scholarship. The ISBE , though an extensive revision of the previous edition (1929), retained many articles from its predecessors (1915 and 1929). Because of the numerous developments in biblical scholarship during the past three decades, the editor felt (rightly) that it was time for a Bible dictionary that would represent the current state of the discipline. The Anchor Bible Dictionary ( ABD ) is the result of his vision. The ABD is both international and interconfessional, with nearly 1000 contributors from around the world representing Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim traditions (and also those of no religious tradition). The list of contributing scholars includes names long associated with biblical and theological studies. The currency of the dictionary as a whole is reflected especially in the inclusion of such subjects as the Dead Sea Scrolls, early Jewish-Christian relations, the historical Jesus, and sociological and literary methods of biblical criticism (including feminist hermeneutics), and in numerous entries on archaeological sites. In addition, the bibliographies are usually up to date and often extensive. Unlike previous Bible dictionaries, the bibliographic entries in the ABD are complete citations, listed individually rather than in a run-on fashion, and hence easier to use. Even in such a monumental success as the ABD , there are weak spots. One might expect to find pronunciations, especially for place and personal names--which is the case with the IBD and the ISBE --but none are given here. There are few illustrations throughout. The maps are inadequate, and some of the topics are handled clumsily. Yet overall, this is a solid piece of work, well written and well edited. It will serve scholars and students because of its currency and thoroughness and lay readers because of its generally readable style. The ABD deserves a place on the shelves beside the standard Bible dictionaries of previous generations and is recommended for public, academic, and seminary libraries.
- Craig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Six years in the making, this state-of-the-art dictionary offers the most up-to-date and comprehensive treatment of biblical subjects and scholarship. An essential reference for every serious reader of the Bible.

B & W illustrations and line-art throughout.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1232 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385193513
• ISBN-13: 978-0385193511
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.7 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #758,352 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding resource and a treasure to last a lifetime.., January 10, 2002

By	Kersi Von Zerububbel "Kersi" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 Volume Set) (Hardcover)

This six volume set is a treasure trove of Biblical and Historical scholarship. The contributors are all well regarded in their respected disciplines. Virtually ALL aspects of Biblical scholarship is treated in a cogent manner. The writing and layout of the set is excellent. Topics ranging from prehistory to the Temple layout to the destruction of the Second Temple and numerous other details are explained in a superb manner. The scholarship is top notch.

I have owned this set since 1994 and find myself frequently looking something up in these volumes. Just pick up one of the volumes and turn to a topic at random. Chances are you'll be hooked. Do not let the title dissuade you from getting this set. Even if you are not into Biblical scholarship this set will give you a lifetime of fulfilling study.

If you are a serious student of the Jewish and/or Christian Bible then this set is a must. If you are a history buff this set will be a valuable addition to your library.

What a treasure!

38 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Undoubtedly the best book of its kind published in English., September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 Volume Set) (Hardcover)

This book presents a wealth of information about all areas of biblical scholarship. It is truly a stunning work and will be of benefit to all serious students not only of the Bible, but of the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world in general. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Bible ENCYCLOPEDIA I have seen so far., December 5, 2007

By	B. Marold "Bruce W. Marold" (Bethlehem, PA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 Volume Set) (Hardcover)

`The Anchor Bible Dictionary', at six (6) rather large volumes, is probably the most authoritative encyclopedia on Christian Biblical matters. And, let us be clear about the fact that it is quite definitely NOT a dictionary in the same sense as the excellent `New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology' edited in its English translation from the German by Colin Brown and `Theological Dictionary of the New Testament', edited in German and completed around 1933 by Gerhard Kittel, and translated into English by Geoffrey W. Bromiley, which has 10 huge volumes filled with a wealth of information. Both of these are true dictionaries, dealing with Greek terms and their meanings in ancient Greek literature, Hebrew scriptural translations into Greek, and New Testament Greek.
The Anchor volumes are far more like the single volume `HarperCollins Bible Dictionary' which is also a misnamed encyclopedia. Whether you purchase the Anchor or the HarperCollins may depend (aside from financial resources) on whether you plan to use the book `on the road', as in a Sunday Bible Study class. Another reason for passing on the Anchor volumes is if you happen to live within walking distance or easy driving distance of a good library, or even a modest library dedicated to Christian study, as you may find in a local church. Every municipal, college, and church library I have seen has a copy of `The Anchor Bible Dictionary'.
To state the obvious, the Anchor clearly has more information in it than HarperCollins, as it is literally six times longer. Among other things, this means that for `Torah', for example, you get a bit over one and a half pages in HarperCollins, while you get eighteen (18) pages, or about nine times as much information, plus a very good bibliography, which is absent from the HarperCollins article. And, for each book of the Bible, you essentially get a thumbnail commentary and outline, probably good enough for most, unless you intend to study that book in detail. This does not mean the HarperCollins has no bibliographies. It does, but it is not with every long article.
On smaller articles, the Anchor also tends to be a bit better than the HarperCollins. I have run across many minor (single occurrence) proper names in the New Testament which are simply not in HarperCollins, but which are in the Anchor. There may not be much to say, but at least you may get an etymology and a proper pronunciation.
I know there are other reputable Bible `encyclopedias' available, but I am fairly sure these two are the best. And, in the end, it may all come down to your wallet. Both are good choices, but the Anchor is unquestionably more complete and better for many purposes.