Victor H. Matthews - The Cultural World of the Bible: An Illustrated Guide to Manners and Customs

The first edition of this volume was published in 1988. Since that time both the field of biblical studies and I have continued to change. We have learned from and weathered the storms of interpretive differences and have been amazed by advances in the analysis of archaeological data. And our heightened precision in readings of ancient texts has come through the production of image-based, digital editions. With that in mind, I continue to believe that a book detailing the social world of ancient Israel deserves a place in classrooms and for private study. The editors of Baker Academic and I have decided that we should revise and expand this new edition so that it can be more effectively used as a textbook or as a supplement to other textbooks in classes on the Bible. The result of this new focus is that we have retained the best of what has appeared in previous editions, such as the historical summaries at the beginning of each chapter and the discussion of aspects of everyday life, while significantly expanding the text and adding new pedagogical features. Rather than serving primarily as a reference work, its aim is to spark conversation and to bring the narratives and the characters to life. The Bible deserves close study, and students should have the opportunity to exercise their critical thinking skills to raise questions and to seek out a fuller understanding of how the ancient world differs from their own. While they cannot physically enter Jerusalem in the time of King David, they can explore what it is like to live in a world without automobiles, electricity, and smartphones. Even though they may not experience being taken into exile after seeing their homes destroyed, they can be made aware through reading what prophets like Jeremiah had to say about these devastating times, and they can feel the pain of musicians who no longer can sing a song to Yahweh in the temple (Ps. 137). And when they read one of Jesuss parables, they can explore his use of agricultural metaphors and social situations and gain a better sense of what he meant by the kingdom of heaven. With that said, I commend this book to your use, and I hope it succeeds in advancing your study of the Bible and its world.