From the four rivers of Eden to Israel’s wilderness wanderings, the biblical narratives in the Pentateuch are filled with geographical details. God’s story of redemption takes place in the real, but often unfamiliar, world of the ancient Near East.
Written by a team of experts on biblical geography and culture, the Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Pentateuch is a guide to the world of the patriarchs. Each article addresses a particular story, event, or subject in Genesis through Deuteronomy, with full-color maps and photos providing deeper layers of context. Historical and cultural insights give readers a richer understanding of the biblical story.
Because the Bible, more than any other holy book, roots its revelation of the Creator in identifiable time and space, the geographic context of the biblical message is of the greatest importance. This means that this series, and particularly this volume on the Pentateuch, is extremely valuable to the student of the Bible, not only in its articles dealing with specific geographic data and locations, but also with the larger geographic issues. Highly recommended.
—John N. Oswalt, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
In Scripture, especially in the Pentateuch, land is not only a grand theme but part of its message, with a knowledge of the geographic setting often yielding greater perception of a story’s significance. With stunning visuals and insightful discussions from top-notch scholars, the Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Pentateuch is a much-needed resource that all Bible students, scholars, and pastors will want on their shelves.
—L. Michael Morales, professor of biblical studies, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
The Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Pentateuch is a robust addition to the library of anyone serious about the historicity of the biblical text. I am delighted that such a robust resource exists! It assembles the best of evangelical scholarship on places mentioned in the Pentateuch. The essays are beautifully illustrated with photographs, artwork, charts, maps, and diagrams to help readers visualize the biblical context. Linguistic, cultural, historical, archaeological, and other resources are brought to bear on the text as the authors engage with critical perspectives and weigh various proposals. Each essay begins with a summary of key points and closes with a bibliography of relevant sources. This book will be a significant help to me in my own research and teaching.
—Carmen Joy Imes, associate professor of Old Testament, Talbot School of Theology
Geography is a central concern throughout Scripture, but the full significance of the geographical context is easily overlooked without a familiarity with the places, the relative distances, and the ancient setting. The Lexham Geographic Commentaries will not only place you in the sandals of the ancient writers of Scripture, but they will explain the significance of the geographic details in the biblical text for your life today.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
To create an innovative, award-winning commentary on the geographic and physical background of the biblical text, we partnered with noted Bible scholar and cartographer Dr. Barry J. Beitzel. This commentary will not only place you in the sandals of the Apostles as they traveled throughout the Roman Empire, but it will explain the significance of the geographic details in the biblical text for your life today.
In the Lexham Geographic Commentary articles on each passage are enriched with relevant details that integrate the valuable resources of Logos Bible Software. So instead of being bound to the commentary text, you will be encouraged to explore Atlas maps of the region discussed, or conduct a Bible Word Study of a Greek word that was mentioned. And if reading through a commentary isn’t your thing, no worries! The wealth of information throughout the Lexham Geographic Commentary will be accessible from multiple angles within Logos Bible Software. So whether you’re studying a specific pericope using the Passage Guide or simply reading through your preferred Bible with the commentary linked together, the relevant information will be surfaced helping you further explore the acts of the Apostles and John’s letters to the seven churches.
Barry J. Beitzel is professor emeritus of Old Testament and Semitic languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He holds a PhD in ancient Near Eastern studies from Dropsie University in Philadelphia. He obtained a postdoctorate in ancient Near Eastern geography from the Université de Liège, Belgium, and has engaged in postdoctoral archaeological work in eastern Syria through UCLA. He is the author of Where Was The Biblical Red Sea? Examining the Ancient Evidence and The New Moody Atlas of the Bible.