Historical Context

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In my precept class we are dealing with questions about
historical context of books of the bible, chapters and also scripture verses. Do
you know of any resources in L4 that explain historical context?

Thanks for the help

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Simon’s Brother

Do
you know of any resources in L4 that explain historical context?

Thanks for the help

Sam I say start with these three types of books:

Study Bible Notes - there is a variety available in Logos -> chapter introductions can be particular helpful.

To explore a little deeper you will then want:

Bible Handbook - this will complement the chapter introduction notes in the study bible

Both of these will probably lead you to needing:

Bible Dictionary - this will allow you to explore the items of interest you have picked up from the two previous resources in more detail.

Beyond this to get down to historical context of specific passages:

Bible Background Commentaries

Some final books to consider Handbooks on Bible Manners and Customs.

Philana Crouch

Hi Sam,

Historical context when studying Scripture is very important and Logos does have some excellent resources.

Bible Dictionaries/Encyclopedias

IVP Essential Collection 3 - http://www.logos.com/product/8588/the-essential-ivp-reference-collection-version-3

New Testament dictionary series

Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels

Dictionary of Paul and His Letters

Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments

Dictionary of New Testament Background

Bible background commentaries

IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament

IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament (2vols) - http://www.logos.com/product/4714/ivp-dictionary-of-the-old-testament-bundle

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - http://www.logos.com/product/3875/international-standard-bible-encyclopedia

Ancient Documents that shed light on cultural and historical background

The Ancient Near Eastern Texts - http://www.logos.com/product/3860/ancient-near-eastern-texts

Why are these helpful? One example is putting the laws in Leviticus into context. In the surrounding nations there was one set of penalties for nobility and a harsher punishment for a commoner (i.e. a noble would pay a fine, commoner would get death for same crime) but in the Bible we find the principles of equality under the law. While we find similarities in things considered a crime, we can also see just how revolutionary the faith God introduced, and why it was so different from Israel's neighbours.

This is also very helpful in understanding the context of the New Testament

Honor, Patronage, Kinship and Purity by David deSilva

http://www.logos.com/product/2964/honor-patronage-kinship-and-purity

Sam West

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301205#Comment_301205

thanks to both for your reply and help. another question. what is the difference in interpretation and historical context/

thanks again

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301208#Comment_301208

what is the difference in interpretation and historical context/

Historical context in just piece of information that you bring to interpretation so that you can understand what the author intended. For example, it is useful to know when interpreting the story of the Samaritan woman at the well that:

it wasn't the usual time for a woman to be fetching water
a Jewish male would not normally speak to a Samaritan woman .... etc.

John Fidel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301210#Comment_301210

William Barclay's NT commentary series, Daily Study Bible is always a good source of historical context and background.

http://www.logos.com/product/6752/the-new-daily-study-bible-new-testament

Frank Fenby

Do
you know of any resources in L4 that explain historical context?

Here are the commentaries I have tagged back good sources of background context.

Here are some other resources that are primarily background.

Here is how I call for these resources in one of my custom passage guides. When I expand any of these sections it will take me to background material on the passage I am studying. I have also pointed to other passage guide sections that may give you some help with backgrounds.

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301229#Comment_301229

William Barclay's NT commentary series, Daily Study Bible is always a good source of historical context and background.

http://www.logos.com/product/6752/the-new-daily-study-bible-new-testament

I would second this. [Y]

I have found Barclay on the whole to be very good on historical background. As these commentaries tend to be relatively short (by the standards of other commentaries), they won't be the most comprehensive - but they do provide an excellent overview. Barclay is an excellent starting point from which you could get ideas to do more in-depth historical background study if necessary.

Mike Childs

Sam,

I would add my second to the excellent resources on historical context recommended by Philana Crouch. The IVP Dictionaries are one of the best bargains out there. Excellent resources.

Sam West

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301781#Comment_301781

Sam,

I would add my second to the excellent resources on historical context recommended by Philana Crouch. The IVP Dictionaries are one of the best bargains out there. Excellent resources.

Michael: Will the IVP Dictionaries give me historical information on
a particular text such as Isaiah 1: 1-4 or are they limited to chapter and book.

Thanks for the help

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301886#Comment_301886

Will the IVP Dictionaries give me historical information on
a particular text such as Isaiah 1: 1-4

Keep Smiling [:)]

Sam West

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301891#Comment_301891

Thanks keep Smiling you sold me

GregW

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/301886#Comment_301886

Will the IVP Dictionaries give me historical information on a particular text such as Isaiah 1: 1-4 or are they limited to chapter and book.

The IVP Bible Background Commentaries give you background by verse, the Dictionaries are topical, but sometimes the topics are linked to particular verses. Bothe types of resource are very usefel, but you get them all if you buy the Essential IVP Reference Collection, which has an excellent set of resources.

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/302048#Comment_302048

The IVP Bible Background Commentaries give you background by verse, the Dictionaries are topical, but sometimes the topics are linked to particular verses. Bothe types of resource are very usefel, but you get them all if you buy the Essential IVP Reference Collection, which has an excellent set of resources.

I am very interested in this resource, but am trying to be careful with what I spend at the moment. Is this a resource Logos has discounted in the past, perhaps during the Christmas sales?

*EDIT* - I just noticed Logos offer a generous academic discount on this collection and just snapped it up! The price wasn't far off what this was being offered at during the Facebook sale in April.

Philana Crouch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/302070#Comment_302070

The IVP Dictionaries are topical, but related to the different genres in the NT. For example the Gospels have their own dictionary, while Paul's letters have its own. Verse by verse context is something you will have from the commentaries.