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Summary: Essential Bible reference
Review: As the previous reviews suggest, if you wish to own only one Bible dictionary or commentary, do get this book. This volume covers all aspects of the Bible and presents informative articles/entries on almost all conceivable Biblical topics. A fine reference for the average person as well as for the Bible scholar, preacher, Sunday school teacher, etc. A wonderful work!
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Summary: An exploration of the symbols and metaphors of the Bible.
Review: Every reader of the Bible has encountered the powerful, comforting and sometimes puzzling imagery of Scripture. These concrete pictures with their hidden force have struck sharp and lasting impressions on our minds. Their imprint has etched itself on the language and grammar of Christian faith and Western culture.Traditional Bible dictionaries and reference works offer little help to explorers of the Bible's galaxy of verbal pictures. They excel in describing the climate, borders and location of Galilee or Sinai. But they are often blind to the artistic expressions and deaf to the musical meanings that echo from within the world of the biblical text. The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery is the first contemporary reference work dedicated to exploring the images, symbols, motifs, metaphors and literary patterns found in the Bible. More than that, it examines the Bible's universal archetypes or master images--including the plot motifs and character types that recur throughout life, literature and the Bible. The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery explores the dazzling variety in which the Word of God comes dressed in the clothes of everyday life. It traces the trail of images from Eden to the New Jerusalem. It captures the plotted patterns of biblical narrative. It surveys the imaged texture of each book of the Bible. Here is a Bible dictionary with a difference--an inviting, enlightening and indispensable companion to the reading, study, contemplation and enjoyment of the Bible. Praise for the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery: "The human mind is a picture gallery, and we live by the images found in it. This massive and careful work can aid us all in glimpsing the multitudinous pictures that are given us in the Scriptures to transform our lives." Elizabeth Achtemeier, writer, lecturer, preacher "People think with pictures in their heads. The Bible is God's picture book even though it is all in words. The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery helps us to see the verbal pictures that we may have missed and then helps us to make sense of them. The Dictionary is a helpful tool for Bible study--and it's even fun to read." Haddon Robinson, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
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Summary: A look into why Biblical imagery is so important
Review: I really had no clue as to how important biblical imagery was before i read many parts of this dictionary. Biblical imagery isn't just for Catholics anymore! Biblical imagery is so important to the bible because the bible is wrapped up in imagery. Why does God refer to His followers as sheep? What was the significance of the prodigal son getting a robe, ring and sandals when he returned home? How are various metaphors used in scriptures? How does Old Testament imagery relate to New Testament writings? All these are questions that many of us have entertained and are answered in great depth in this dictionary. I don't remember what course this book was necessary for in bible school, but I am sure glad that I got my hands on it. If you are a preacher, pastor or a leader in the church you need to get your hands on this book too. Biblical imagery is too important for us to be ignorant of. God uses imagery to emphasize points or principles and we need to know what He is saying instead of being confused at why such a figure would be used to tell a parable or story.
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Summary: Commentaries and Study Bibles, Step Aside. The Bible is Back
Review: Put your commentaries at the bottom of the pile. Put your study Bibles (God's Word with man's opinions presumptiously slipped in with it) with your commentaries. Here is a book that uses the Bible to interpret the Bible (which commentaries rarely do). This book is an objective approach to Bible interpretation, using scriptures throughout the Bible in their context to determine the meaning of Bible words as the Bible defines them--Scripture defining Scripture. The book deals with figures of speech, figures of association, metonymy, synechdoche, metaphors and similies, cultures, writing techniques, and far more. It is written clearly and concisely, with much detail. It reads dynamically and even devotionally. It is written at a level for any person who wants to study the Bible seriously and correctly without being a heavy theological work. This book is not written as a commentary on Bible texts, but is a resource to help you let the Bible be it's own commentary. When I use this book which, again, uses scripture to explain scripture, I rarely use a commentary. With this book, I can study the Bible on my own (which is what God primarily intends) and use the book as a scripture resource to help determine what concepts are imbedded in the text by the use of certain words and writing techniques. Commentaries are okay when one gets stuck in their thought processes or when they need a nudge of what a text may be saying. Commentaries can help us think in new directions and think "out of the box." But commentaries must only be used to spur one on. They must not be used to just lift an answer from someone and just blindly use it, thus taking the easy way out and putting blind trust in someone else just because they have an education. But this dictionary isn't a commentary. It reads very openly and is self discerning because it is so Bible based. It recognizes that the first rule of Bible interpretation is the Bible contexts themselves. Buy one. Use it. You won't be needing your commentaries too much because you'll have a major tool that will help you seek God for yourself and what He is saying in His Word to you, not what someone else thinks you need to hear. This book allows you to be personal with God in His Word. So open your Bible, place this help with you, and learn more easily what God is saying.
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Summary: Commentaries and Study Bibles, Step Aside. The Bible is Back
Review: Put your commentaries at the bottom of the pile. Put your study Bibles (God's Word with man's opinions presumptiously slipped in with it) with your commentaries. Here is a book that uses the Bible to interpret the Bible (which commentaries rarely do). This book is an objective approach to Bible interpretation, using scriptures throughout the Bible in their context to determine the meaning of Bible words as the Bible defines them--Scripture defining Scripture. The book deals with figures of speech, figures of association, metonymy, synechdoche, metaphors and similies, cultures, writing techniques, and far more. It is written clearly and concisely, with much detail. It reads dynamically and even devotionally. It is written at a level for any person who wants to study the Bible seriously and correctly without being a heavy theological work. This book is not written as a commentary on Bible texts, but is a resource to help you let the Bible be it's own commentary. When I use this book which, again, uses scripture to explain scripture, I rarely use a commentary. With this book, I can study the Bible on my own (which is what God primarily intends) and use the book as a scripture resource to help determine what concepts are imbedded in the text by the use of certain words and writing techniques. Commentaries are okay when one gets stuck in their thought processes or when they need a nudge of what a text may be saying. Commentaries can help us think in new directions and think "out of the box." But commentaries must only be used to spur one on. They must not be used to just lift an answer from someone and just blindly use it, thus taking the easy way out and putting blind trust in someone else just because they have an education. But this dictionary isn't a commentary. It reads very openly and is self discerning because it is so Bible based. It recognizes that the first rule of Bible interpretation is the Bible contexts themselves. Buy one. Use it. You won't be needing your commentaries too much because you'll have a major tool that will help you seek God for yourself and what He is saying in His Word to you, not what someone else thinks you need to hear. This book allows you to be personal with God in His Word. So open your Bible, place this help with you, and learn more easily what God is saying.
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Summary: Helps to bring out the spiritual meaning of the Bible.
Review: So often we are limited in our inspiration from the Bible because of following only the literal meanings of its stories, passages and admonitions. By understanding the symbolical meanings we can go higher in our inspiration. This book helps to do just that. For example, Ephesians 6:10-17 would be ridiculous if taken literally, but taken spiritually it is powerful and uplifting. Great job IVP. My only complaint is this should have been sold in two volumes with larger type and more words to explore!!!
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Summary: very helpful to read the Bible
Review: The authors are skillful in biblical imagery.And the bookis necessary to all the Bible student.
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Summary: If you buy only 1 study aid for the bible, this should be it
Review: The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery is one of the most masterful works in helping students see beyond what ordinary meanings and text of the bible. This exegetical work will aid students, teachers, and those seeking further light and knowledge to know what some of the obscure passages in the bible are saying. The symbolisms are explained using simple, everyday relationships that will cause you to wonder why you didn't see it so clearly before. As one reviewer above noted, there are hardly any interpolations of men, the editors mostly employ other verses in the Bible to explain itself. The only complaint I have is that once in a while the editors interject doctrines which may not be acceptable across all faiths, but these instances are few and far between. Excellent book; I recommend it to everyone.
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Summary: Innovative companion to commentaries and bible dictionaries
Review: This is a terrific book. It is different from any other biblical studies resource I have seen. It covers ground that is not really treated in such depth in other aids. You do still need to use standard bible dictionaries and commentaries, in my opinion. But, used in conjunction with them, it is going to really open up the Bible for you. I am disappointed that the editors decided that they would not let you know who wrote the various articles. Their argument is that their editorial work has not left the research done by the various contributors unchanged, and that it would be misleading to append a given contributor's name to an entry, when they have often extensively revised that entry. I feel they should have let us know about their editorial work, AND shown the contributors' names at the end of each entry. The articles dealing with the imagery in each biblical book are very helpful. Here is an example of what you will find: The article on Colossians gives some insights into the purpose of Paul's letter, the image of the cosmic Christ, the motifs of knowledge and fullness in Colossians and the metaphorical use of circumcision. Many of the images referred to in each article on Bible books are also given more in-depth treatment in individual articles. This book is one of the most interesting aids to biblical study I have seen. Highly recommended. If you would like to purchase the work at a bargain price, Amazon also sells the Essential IVP Reference Collection CD ROM, which contains this great work, and 17 other helpful biblical resources. In some ways, the electronic version is more useful than the book.
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Summary: Anyone with a Bible should own this book...
Review: This is a very extensive, yet concise topical dictionary that explores the countless metaphors and images so prevelant in the Bible. It is amazing how much God used symbolism to represent Himself or His promises, and most people (including the OT Jews) never caught it. One point of interest to me was the meaning behind the lampstand God had Moses contruct. Most people overlook the details God gave concerning it's construction and what it referred to, but not this book... If you are a fan of the IVP series that includes such volumes as "Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels," "Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments," "Dictionary of Paul and His Letters," you will thoroughly enjoy this reference book.
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