The Oxford Companion to the Bible (Oxford Companions)

Of all the "companions" to the Bible available, this is the most comprehensive. The editors have done a fine job compiling most topics referenced in the Bible into a concise single-volume tome. Each book of the Bible is covered, as well as books of the apochrypha; the list of characters covered is nearly complete; and the many themes of modern religious scholarship is, at least to the novice, very comprehensive. There are a number of maps at the end to rival Biblical atlases.There are at least two omissions that perhaps should not have been left out. There is no individual entry on Caesar Augustus (though he is mentioned within the context of the Roman Empire). Augustus dominated his world, in fact Herod and Pilate were mere role players within the greater Roman imperial framework. The fact that Herod and Pilate gain more attention in both the Oxford Companion and the Bible, reflects the regionality of the Bible, but for comparison purposes, a specific entry on Augustus would have helped gain perspective. The other omission is the town of Emmaus. In itself this is insignificant, but considering the resurrected Jesus chose this town to first appear is no small matter.Omissions aside, this book lives up to its name. This is indeed a fine companion to the Bible that any interested person should consider purchasing.

If I had known how much information was in this, I could have skipped all those books I bought on specific bible topics. This is much more than single paragraph summaries of people, places and things in the bible. There are many long, detailed articles on Israeli history, ancient Jewish and early Christian beliefs, all the different sects of Judaism and early Christianity. Most useful are the related articles on different subjects: what does the bible say about death, heaven, hell, women, homosexuality, capitol punishment? Next time you hear someone quoting the bible to support their politcal agenda, you can, in a minute, see what the bible REALLY says about that subject. Objective, thorough, invaluable!

In a world of tele-evangelists who preach the word of God without having a clue in most cases of what they are preaching, I'm so elated that the editorial staff at Oxford Publications decided to release this thorough, insightful, and conventional way to learn more of what the Bible really says.Divided in a dictionary-format, with topics in alphabetical order, "The Oxford Companion to the Bible" by editors Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan, explore the topics of religion as discussed in the Bible. While many zealots and fanatics might disagree with several definitions/discussions such as the topics of homosexuality, prostitution, and any other acts that they feel go against God's words, the editors take a non-biased, neutral approach.Topics such as Jesus' brothers and sisters (more conservative churches such as the Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches claim that these were children Joseph had from a previous marriage), lesbianism (it was never demoralized in the Old Testament, but was considered immoral in one of Paul's letters after the New Testament was written) and numerology (many dispute that only 144,000 are going to enter the Kingdom of God according as many Protestant groups proclaim in their teachings) can all be of items of major discussion to Bible students or critics, but with this book it somewhat makes more sense.I also enjoyed the historical chapters added by the editors that discuss the printing of Bibles throughout Europe and the New World. For example, the first Bible to be published in Spain was written in Catalan, and not in Castilian. The publication of Bibles in Native American languages also interested me, seeing that most of them are extinct today.The discussion of the symbolism of numbers also captured my attention. Whether it is the most perfect number, 7, or the most incomplete, 6, the divinity of numbers in the Bible's scriptures are all discussed here. Overall, "The Oxford Companion to the Bible" is an excellent book to delve into the importance of matters in the spiritual realm. Whether you are a believer or not, critic or student, liberalist or zealot, this book will open many minds with thoughts of what the Bible really means in our world.

I shudder to use the word "Truth"...but all religions claim to hold the "Truth". Well, if you want to research the "Truth", you must read this book. Everything you wanted to know about the books of the Bible is listed and explained here. The characters, the events, the interpretations...are all here.I've taken college courses on religion and the Old Testament, and let me tell you- the Oxford Companion coincides with my teachings.History is a key factor in the Companion. And it should be.If you were raised a Jew or Christian, it is imperative you read this book to clear up some question I know you have.The Companion offers insights in WHEN the books were written, WHO wrote them, and WHY they did. It offers objective, non-slanted commentary about the stories.If you are still not convinced to pick up his book, let me wet your appetite. The Oxford Companion explains what "666" means- and has satisfactory evidence. The "truth" may suprise you. The Companion discusses Jesus' brothers and sisters, how did Judas REALLY die, who REALLY slew Goliath, how exactly WAS the Reed Sea parted (that's right REED Sea).If you want to reseach the Bible from a historical and literally standpoint- you must read this.

Perhaps the most in-depth companion to the bible written to date. While several other tomes, such as the Oxford Dictionary of Christanity(another fine work) give a thorough detailed look at the bible, the OCB instead chooses a myriad of topics and names of importance and gives concise, detailed, bibliographed information on them. A must have for those doing serious biblical research.