A Cultural Handbook to the Bible
Pilch, author of The Cultural Dictionary of the Bible (1999), provides Bible scholars and readers with another insightful collection of articles that helps place the Bible in a historically accurate cultural context. Originally a series of articles written for the Bible Today, this volume collects Pilch’s writings on the subject from 1998 to 2006. Each chapter provides short, clearly written entries that are extensively annotated so readers can easily reference the passages to which Pilch points. Further-reading lists are also provided at the end of each chapter, giving readers an opportunity to continue their studies with the theological and anthropological resources used by the author. Pilch has a knack for making potentially dry material lively and interesting, using pop-culture references like Garrison Keillor and Hollywood musicals to illustrate a particular point in a relevant and entertaining way. While this is first and foremost a reference book for those seeking to broaden their understanding of the Bible using current knowledge of Middle Eastern cultures, it may prove to be a draw for history buffs as well. --Taina Lagodzinski