Paul P. Enns - Manners and Customs of Bible Times

Shepherd's Notes Titles Available

SHEPHERD'S NOTES COMMENTARY SERIES

Old Testament

New Testament

SHEPHERD'S NOTES CHRISTIAN CLASSICS

SHEPHERD'S NOTES BIBLE SUMMARY SERIES

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

Dear Reader:

Shepherd's Notes are now available on every book in the Bible. In addition, we are pleased to provide a number of volumes in what we call The Bible Summary Series. This series will give you a perspective on various parts of the Bible that you wouldn't get by focusing on a book at time. These volumes include Old Testament, New Testament, Life & Teachings of Jesus, Life & Letters of Paul, Basic Christian Beliefs, and Manners & Customs of Bible Times.

This particular volume, Manners & Customs of Bible Times by Paul Enns, provides a quick and easy-to-read description of the cultures and practices that form the background in which events in the Bible took place. Manners & Customs of Bible Times complements other volumes of Shepherd's Notes including a number of volumes on Christian classics. You can find a complete listing of all Shepherd's Notes on the back cover.

It's our prayer that Shepherd's Notes will serve you well as you read and live God's Word.

In Him,

David R. Shepherd
Editor-in-Chief

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY USER

Shepherd's Notes is a complete library of resources designed for Bible study. Forty-one of the volumes provide an easy-to-use tool for getting a quick handle on a particular Bible book's important features and for gaining an understanding of the message of that book.

Shepherd's Notes: The Bible Summary Series complement and supplement Shepherd's Notes on individual books of the Bible. The present volume, Manners & Customs of Bible Times, enriches Bible study by closing the gap between the cultures and times in which events in the Bible took place with the twenty-first century.

Shepherd's Notes are for laypersons, pastors, teachers, small-group leaders and participants, as well as the classroom student. Enrich your personal study or quiet time. Shorten your class or small-group preparation time as you gain valuable insights in the truths of God's Word that you can pass along to your students or group members.

DESIGNED FOR QUICK ACCESS

Those with time restraints will especially appreciate the timesaving features built in the Shepherd's Notes. All features are intended to aid a quick and concise encounter with the crux of the message.

Concise Information. Manners & Customs of Bible Times is arranged topically and is designed so that you can quickly get the information you need to understand better the portion of Scripture you are studying.

Icons. Various icons in the margin highlight recurring themes and aid in selective searching or tracing of those themes.

Sidebars and Charts. These specially selected features provide additional background information to your study or preparation. These include definitions as well as cultural, historical, and biblical insights.

In addition to the above features, for those readers who require or desire more information and resources, a list reference sources used for this volume suggests many works that allow the reader to extend the scope of his or her study.

DESIGNED TO WORK FOR YOU

Personal Study. Using Shepherd's Notes with a passage of Scripture can help explain many passages that aren't readily understandable apart from the historical and cultural context.

Teaching. Manners & Customs of Bible Times will be useful in preparing to teach from almost any portion of Scripture.

LIST OF MARGIN ICONS USED IN MANNERS & CUSTOMS
OF BIBLE TIMES

	Historical Context. To indicate historical informationhistorical, biographical, culturaland provide insight on the understanding or interpretation of a passage.
	Old Testament Passage. To indicate an Old Testament passage that illustrates the topic under discussion.
	New Testament Passage. To indicate a New Testament passage that illustrates the topic under discussion
	Word Picture. To indicate that the meaning of a specific word or phrase is illustrated so as to shed light on it.
	Personal Application. To provide a personal or universal application of truth relevant to a particular text.