Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible (Hardcover)

~ Karel van der Toorn (Editor), Bob Becking (Editor), Pieter Willem Van Der Horst (Editor)
Key Phrases: rpu mlk, phoric element, term mesités, Near East, Hebrew Bible, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The previous edition of this dictionary (Brill, 1995) was the first such reference work on the subject, and this second edition retains that distinction. It is an authoritative resource, an exhaustive catalog of supernatural beings whose names appear in the Bible (that is, the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint, and the New Testament). However, some readers who turn to this work based on its title are in for a few surprises. Along with the anticipated articles on angels, Baal, cherubim, Dagon, Elohim, and Yahweh, they will also find ones on Esau, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Moses, and Mary. Given the criteria established by the editorscandidates are those whose name contains that of a deity (Hebrew or otherwise) and humans who later achieved divine statustheir inclusion makes sense. Despite the inclusiveness of their criteria, the editors admit the inclusion of [some] deities often is more a tribute to scholarly ingenuity than an accurate picture of the religious situation in biblical times. The articles are full of transliterated ancient words, linguistic terminology, and parenthetical references that may make wading through them an investment not worth the return for general readers. Recommended for academic collections, though public librarians should evaluate what it offers against the needs of their users.Craig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This text is designed as a work of reference on the gods, angels, demons, spirits and semi-divine heroes whose names occur in the biblical books. Arranged in the order of the Latin alphabet, over 400 names found in the books of the Hebrew and the Greek Bible, Old and New Testament, including the Apocrypha are included. There are entries on divine names recognized as such by the biblical authors; divine names in theophoric toponyms and anthroponyms; secular terms which occur as divine names in neighbouring civilizations, conjectural divine names, at times based on textual emendation, proposed by modern scholarship; and humans having acquired a semi-divine status in tradition. Entries contain a discussion of the pertinent name, its meaning, the religio-historical background, relevant biblical passages and an up-to date bibliography. Owing to the comprehensive coverage of names and its religio-historical emphasis, this book provides information concerning the spiritual world in which the peoples of the book have lived. Extensive indexes and cross-references provide easy access to the information of the dictionary. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 960 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; 2 edition (May 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802824919
• ISBN-13: 978-0802824912
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #828,956 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference., October 1, 2000

By	M Manning (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible (Ddd) (Hardcover)

The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible (DDD) is a masterpiece of scholarly knowledge. The book is simple to read with cross referencing material readily accessible. All acceptible Biblical and apocryphal individuals are listed. Thus, extending the borders of information included in it's pages. If you are in search of a book containing ancient gods and semi-gods in Mesopotamia, then this book is an excellent chose. It is a must for any Ancient Near East mythology library. Of all the mythological publications I have ,and/or reviewed, this is by far the best for reference.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A helpful resource for students of the Bible, July 23, 2004

By	djdjdjdjdjdj9 "djdjdjdjdjdj9" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible (Ddd) (Hardcover)

One reviewer notes that this book is highly liberal (ie, its theology tends to minimalize the text of scripture, biblical historicity is challenged, etc.), which may be a fair crop in many cases. This work is multi-authored and edited. Having said that, varying opinions will arise in some of the articles.

Without too much criticism, I feel this book is helpful for conservatives AND liberals. Liberals can feel free to glean what they may from the majority of the articles herein, as one reviewer states here, without too much 'gut-wrenching conservatist interpretation.' However, the articles in this book are helpful for the conservative in that they allow him/her to engage the deities and demons of the bible from a centrist to leftist perspective, which is helpful when developing a working hypothesis in research. Why? Because good students and/or scholars are ones that can amalgamate opinions from all opinions to arrive at a sound conclusion. DDD helps both sides of the theological spectrum come together and gain access to some of the traditions of interpretation of virtually all the deities/demons of the Bible under one cover.

Due to its liberal swing, I would argue that DDD **HEAVILY** relies on archaeological interpretation and critical examination of textual information--as these tools are most commonly employed by theological liberals (often times to the point of exaggeration) in their arguments. The previous reviewer seemed to distance himself/herself from liberal viewpoints to the extent that he/she doesn't even know or recognize their more common methodologies and presuppositions.

I find DDD a very helpful tool if I need quick information on beings such as 'Ishtar,' 'Isis,' 'Baal,' etc. Entries such as 'El Shaddai,' 'YHWH,' and 'Elohim' will most surely carry a leftist perspective, which, as I state above, can be hated (as one reviewer noted), or taken into careful consideration.

The other reviewer sites ABD as a better source for the information presented in this book. This may come as a shock to him/her, but ABD is not only missing key terms that should have been included (where's the entry for 'wine-making' or oenology?), but ABD suffers from a vast array of various thinkers within the theological spectrum. For example, the article written on 'Abortion' was written by a 7th-Day Adventist and the articles '(OT) Holiness' and 'Unclean and Clean' and 'Laying on of Hands (OT)' and others were written by an individual who was a Mormon at that time (thereby representing at least two denominations mostly distrusted by orthodox Christians). Furthermore, ABD is a six-volume set (and very expensive)?one advantage of DDD is the wealth of information it provides under one cover. I wonder if the previous reviewer's opinion regarding ABD and/or DDD would change considering some of these facts.

I recommend DDD for any serious student of the Bible.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent in its element, March 22, 2006

By	Preston Halcomb "Silver Fox" (Lexington, KY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is excellent for what it is. The book has been invaluable to me in helping to research various biblical / judeo-christian myth cycles. It is well worth the price, especially with the hefty discount given by Amazon (paid full price for mine in 1999).