The characters and heroes of the Bible are some of the best known in all of history. We encounter them again and again, in art, literature, and folklore. Yet these Biblical men and women remain among the most elusive, enigmatic and least understood of any heroes. Biblical Images, a collection of twenty-five portraits of Biblical figures, explores what is hinted at in the Scriptures to help us understand these characters from within, to analyze their motives, and to appreciate their spiritual experiences and aspirations. It is a subtle yet penetrating study of men and women of the Bible who personify profound truths about the human experience. Book jacket.

This reference work explores the images, symbols, motifs, metaphors, figures of speech, and literary patterns found in the Bible. With over 800 articles by over 100 expert contributors, this is an inviting, enlightening and indispensable companion to the reading, study, contemplation and enjoyment of the Bible.

Provides a description of the element or image, shows examples of how it is used in the biblical text, and presents photographs and maps that further illustrate the ideas.

Biblical references to over four hundred similes, metaphors, and symbols are compiled under headings and subheadings, enabling pastors, teachers, and students to locate and compare the imagery of Scripture.

For Robert Fyall, the mystery of God's ways and the appalling evil and suffering in the world are at the heart of Job's significant contribution to the canon of Scripture. This New Studies in Biblical Theology volume offers a holistic reading of Job, with particular reference to its depiction of creation and evil, and finds significant clues to its meaning in the striking imagery it uses.

ÒDid Jesus just misunderstand when he prayed that the kingdom was close at hand?Ó ÒWhy would God make the price of redemption the sacrifice of his own Son?Ó ÒIf Adam and Eve are not historical people does that mean that original sin does not exist?Ó ÒWhy didn't God keep his promise to David, that his line and his kingdom would be secure forever?Ó A single mistake lies behind each of these questions: an image had been understood as a fact. Through the examination of central biblical images, namely, Òcovenant,Ó Òmessiah,Ó Òkingdom,Ó Òoriginal sin,Ó and Òredemption,Ó 'Plain Words About Biblical Images' explores the role that images play in our thinking as we seek to understand spiritual realities. In the course of this study we discover that we must be willing to reinterpret our images if we want to grow into adult faith. 'Plain Words About Biblical Images' is one of the most readable books you will ever discover. Its insightfulness will help you to grow in your understanding of scripture and your ability to deal with contemporary faith issues.

This book suggests a regional paradigm for understanding the development of the traditions about Egypt and the exodus in the Hebrew Bible. It offers fresh readings of the golden calf stories in 1 Kgs 12:25-33 and Exod 32, the Balaam oracles in Num 22-24, and the Song of the Sea in Exod 15:1b-18 and from these paints a picture of the differing traditions about Egypt that circulated in Cisjordan Israel, Transjordan Israel, and Judah in the 8th century B.C.E. and earlier. In the north, an exodus from Egypt was celebrated in the Bethel calf cult as a journey of Israelites from Egypt to Cisjordan, without a detour eastward to Sinai. This exodus was envisioned in military terms as suggested by the nature of the polemic in Exod 32, and the attribution of the exodus to the warrior Yahweh, Israel's own deity. In the east, a tradition of deliverance from Egypt was celebrated, rather than the idea of a journey, and it was credited to El. In the south, Egypt was recognized as a major enemy, whom Yahweh had defeated, but the traditions there were not formulated in terms of an exodus. While acknowledging the reshaping of these traditions in response to the exile, Images of Egypt argues that they originated in the pre-exilic period and relate to Syro-Palestinian history as it is otherwise known.