# Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books is an encyclopedic reference covering Israel’s history and the biblical books from Joshua through Nehemiah. Edited by Bill T. Arnold and Hugh G. M. Williamson, it combines book-focused and thematic articles with treatments of archaeology, ancient cultures, languages and interpretation.

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## At a glance

- Includes major articles on Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, alongside thematic entries on Israel’s history.
- Eight consecutive articles survey historical periods from settlement through the postexilic period.
- Coverage extends to archaeology, ancient Near Eastern cultures, Hebrew and Aramaic, textual evidence, interpretation and theological topics.
- The publisher describes the work as presenting evidence and informed debate rather than offering quick, settled answers.

## Pros

- Broad reference coverage connects biblical books with historical, archaeological, linguistic and interpretive topics.
- The sequence of articles on periods of Israel’s history offers a condensed historical overview within the volume.
- Its discussion of interpretive methods and preaching may be useful to students and communicators.

## Cons

- At 1,108 pages and a listed weight of 2.02 kg, this is a substantial desk reference rather than a compact carry-around book.
- Its focus is specifically the Old Testament Historical Books and related history, not a general reference to every part of the Bible.

## Specifications

### Publication
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Publication date: Nov. 11 2005
- Language: English
- Print length: 1108 pages
- ISBN-10: 9780830817825
- ISBN-13: 978-0830817825
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 2.02 kg
- Dimensions: 17.78 x 6.1 x 25.4 cm

## A good fit for

- Students and researchers studying the Old Testament Historical Books and the history of Israel.
- Readers seeking reference articles on biblical archaeology, ancient cultures, textual evidence or interpretive approaches.
- Communicators looking for background on interpreting or preaching from the Historical Books.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking a short introductory overview or quick answers without scholarly discussion.
- Buyers looking for a general Bible dictionary covering the full Old and New Testaments.

## Customer feedback

The supplied aggregate ratings skew strongly toward the top end, though a smaller share fall in the middle and lower categories. This is a cautious overall signal rather than evidence about particular features or specific reader concerns. For a long reference volume aimed at detailed study, ratings alone cannot show whether its scope or scholarly approach suits an individual reader.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which biblical books are covered?
Major articles focus on Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah. The reference also covers Israel’s history and related themes.
### Does the book include archaeology and ancient cultures?
Yes. The description lists coverage of Syro-Palestinian archaeology, significant sites, neighbouring empires and peoples, and material topics such as architecture, agriculture and trade.
### Is this a quick-answer dictionary?
The publisher says it sets out evidence and arguments to support informed discussion, rather than offering easy resolutions.
### How large is the volume?
The listing gives a print length of 1108 pages and a listed weight of 2.02 kg.

## Alternative options

- [Dictionary of Paul and His Letters: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship](https://loonieperks.com/visit/dictionary-old-testament-historical-books)

## Add-ons

- [Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship](https://loonieperks.com/visit/dictionary-old-testament-historical-books)
- [Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets](https://loonieperks.com/visit/dictionary-old-testament-historical-books)

## Images

![Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books — 1](https://loonieperks.com/i/P0yEJ46kT1ksYtE-RYdXu_NuTGUwK67c9SIfLPrav52ntY3U3qfrLaJWRJFY89KxHx1k1dCuhnv-JVZiPUEPv5vtKV6b_khrUSgjlTTFZ2H_9pQ6nmOo.jpg)