Recommended: Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism

The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism is 40% off this month. If you have any interest in understanding the world of Jesus and those who listened him, grab it.

Even if you know your OT very well, you may not be well informed on the 2 - 3 centuries before Christ. This dictionary is a great way to find the information you need on the 2nd temple period.

Before the dictionary articles (A-Z) even begin, you have almost 300 pages of background essays by some of the top scholars on 2nd temple topics which alone justify the purchase price:

Early Judaism in Modern Scholarship (John J. Collins)
Jewish History from Alexander to Hadrian (Chris Seeman & Adam Kolman Marshak)
Judaism in the Land of Israel (James C. VanderKam)
Judaism in the Diaspora (Erich S. Gruen)
The Jewish Scriptures: Texts, Versions, Canons (Eugene Ulrich)
Early Jewish Biblical Interpretation (James L. Kugel)
Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha (Loren T. Stuckenbruck)
Dead Sea Scrolls (Eibert Tigchelaar)
Early Jewish Literature Written in Greek (Katell Berthelot)
Archaeology, Papyri, and Inscriptions (Jürgen K. Zangenberg)
Jews among Greeks and Romans (Miriam Pucci Ben Zeev)
Early Judaism and Early Christianity (Daniel C. Harlow)
Early Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism (Lawrence H. Schiffman)

Highly recommended. I find myself using this dictionary several times a month.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Francis

I agree: it is a very good resource.

HJ. van der Wal

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/807341#Comment_807341

I agree: it is a very good resource.

[Y]

Milkman

Great book to have. [Y][Y]

mm.

Fergus Yuille

Hi Allen,

Would you recommend this dictionary for someone like me?

I preach about three times per year and teach regularly in Sunday school. On occasion I find myself wanting to know more about Judaism at large in the period this dictionary covers and am a bit frustrated that the dictionaries I have don't give me the info I want. I am a bit cautious about purchasing it because my budget is of course limited and the reviews I've read so far recommend it for those doing research. I am not a researcher, teaching the bible is not my day job but I do so because I love it and want to expound it as fully as I can.

I'd be grateful of your reply before June 1st if poss! Thank you.

Fergus

Paul Caneparo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1169027#Comment_1169027

Hi Allen,

Would you recommend this dictionary for someone like me?

I preach about three times per year and teach regularly in Sunday school. On occasion I find myself wanting to know more about Judaism at large in the period this dictionary covers and am a bit frustrated that the dictionaries I have don't give me the info I want. I am a bit cautious about purchasing it because my budget is of course limited and the reviews I've read so far recommend it for those doing research. I am not a researcher, teaching the bible is not my day job but I do so because I love it and want to expound it as fully as I can.

I'd be grateful of your reply before June 1st if poss! Thank you.

Fergus

Personally I think it depends how interested you are. I bought the abridged version for only $2.99 when Eerdmans were offering it during their regular eBook sales and I still returned it despite the great price because I felt my dollars would be better spent on resources I would use more.

I see the abridged version is also on sale at Logos, so if you're caught between how useful the expensive version will be but you're interested in the area, perhaps the abridged version would be a wiser investment.

https://www.logos.com/product/49314/early-judaism-a-comprehensive-overview

You can always take advantage of the 30 days returns policy to check it out.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1169027#Comment_1169027

I preach about three times per year and teach regularly in Sunday school.

Oh wow. Usually, I agree with Paul. This time not (smiling)

I have both. The concise is just the essays, which are good, but I wouldn't pay for (I guess I agree with Paul!). But the bigger one is just a riot in interesting dictionary A-Z information that can be so helpful in a Bible class full of questions (less so, in sermons).

Just popping it open, when the jews were being criticized for Abraham (huh? ... even Paul used Abraham), what was their issue? Almsgiving ... sure, the law, but what was the practice? And when Paul mentioned the Saduccees and angels, just 'angels'?? And on and on.

This type book can really make Bible class interesting. The volume constantly shows up in my searches. I guess the question is $$. And your interests.

Allen Browne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1169027#Comment_1169027

Would you recommend this dictionary for someone like me?
I preach about three times per year and teach regularly in Sunday school. On occasion I find myself wanting to know more about Judaism at large in the period this dictionary covers and am a bit frustrated that the dictionaries I have don't give me the info I want. I am a bit cautious about purchasing it because my budget is of course limited and the reviews I've read so far recommend it for those doing research. I am not a researcher, teaching the bible is not my day job but I do so because I love it and want to expound it as fully as I can.

Hi Fergus

This has remained a go-to resource for me. My usage is a bit different (lecturing, researching), but I think this would work for you.

It will be worth the investment if you take the time to read the essays at the front, such as "Jewish History from Alexander to Hadrian." Then you will use the A-Z when you have something specific to look up.

Fergus Yuille

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1169041#Comment_1169041

Allen, I really appreciate your reply. Thank you for taking the time; the advice about reading.the essays at the front rings true.

Fergus Yuille

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1169034#Comment_1169034

Paul, Many thanks for the reply. I appreciate your taking the time. Good comment bout the 30 days returns policy. I will probably purchase it with this in mind. And thanks for the pointer to the abridged version - I'll probably take a look but have a feeling I would appreciate the greater level of detail the full length version.

Fergus Yuille

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1169035#Comment_1169035

DMB, thank you to you too - very helpful, especially the exemplar article headings which don't show up on the pages to view on logos.

Fergus