Each chapter in this book on everyday life in Bible times contains a wealth of references to passages in the Bible. Simple sketches and illustrations help depict commonly used equipment, materials, structures, and raw goods.

From the customs of religious life to common domestic and social practices, The Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times is your quick and reliable guide to the cultural backgrounds that formed the backdrop of biblical writings. Unlike many similar works, this Bible companion is organized thematically, making it easier to scan over broad subjects at one go. Topics include: The family—describes what the Bible says about children and childbirth, education, the different roles performed by men and women; as well as topics like sex, marriage, divorce, old age, death, and burial. The household—from house architecture and furniture to topics of everyday survival, such as food and its preparation, water access, and how illnesses were handled. Work life—discusses major Old Testament occupations and trades, from livestock and woodworking to commerce. Social life—includes explanations of population, the calendar, economics, crafts, travel and trade, dress, and music. Government—how different aspects of governance were handled in towns, larger cities, and the state, including the roles of the king, elders, and officials. Israel's religious life—from the use of high places and altars, to the importance of the tabernacle and the temple, to the role of priests and Levites. Between the brief introductions you might find in a study Bible and the overwhelming amount of detail in an exhaustive reference handbook, Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times strikes the perfect balance of manageable information, giving any student of Scripture the keys to unlock commonly misunderstood passages as well as deepen your appreciation of even the most familiar Bible stories.

While the history of Israel during the period from ca. 1200 to 586 B.C.E. has been in the forefront of biblical research, little attention has been given to questions of daily life. Where did the Israelites live? What did people do for a living? What did they eat and what affected their health? How did the family function? These and similar questions form the basis for this book. The book introduces different aspects of daily life. It describes the natural setting and the people who occupied the land. It deals with the economy, both rural and urban, emphasizing the main sources of livelihood such as agriculture, herding, and trade. These topics are discussed in relation to the family in particular and the social structure in general. Other topics include urban society, the bureaucracy and the military. Beyond material culture, the book delves into daily and seasonal cultural, social and religious activities, art, music, and the place of writing in Israelite society. Drawing on textual and archaeological evidence, and written with nontechnical language, the book will be especially helpful for undergraduates, seminarians, pastors, rabbis, and other interested nonspecialist readers as well as graduate students and faculty in Hebrew Bible.

What does Bible prophecy tell us about the time of the end? Are we living in the end time? When will be the end of the world? For thousands of years people have been fascinated with predictions of the end of the world. If we look into the inspired writings of the biblical prophets and apostles, we find many prophecies that refer to the time of the end. Should we take them seriously? Are world conditions such that these prophecies could be fulfilled in our day? Jesus Christ Himself talked of a future time so horrendous that no human lives would be spared "unless those days were shortened" (Matthew 24:22). Did He have our time in mind? Many biblical warnings leave us in no doubt that increasingly cataclysmic events will occur before God's direct intervention in human affairs. These terrifying prophecies will see their fulfillment at some future time. The crucial question is when. This eye-opening Bible study aid booklet, Are We Living in the Time of the End?, examines exactly what Jesus, His apostles and the biblical prophets really said about the intriguing days they referred to as the time of the end. You need this vital information! Chapters in this ebook: -- Are We Living in the Time of the End? -- What Is the Time of the End? -- A World in Perpetual Crisis -- Noah and Our Time: A Sobering Parallel -- The End of the Age -- The Time of the End: The End of What? -- Biblical Terms for the Coming End of Man's Age -- Jesus Christ's Olivet Prophecy: Where Are We Now? -- Did Jesus Christ Foretell Devastating Storms? -- 'This Generation Will Not Pass' -- The End Time in the Book of Revelation -- The Population Explosion and Prophecy -- God's Framework for End-Time Prophecy -- Preparing for the End Time -- What Can You Do? Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "But we should remember that Jesus made it clear that no one could know the exact time of His return: "… Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36)." "Some think the subject of the end time in the Bible is mainly confined to the New Testament. But beginning in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, the Scriptures look beyond our present evil age to the time of the establishing of God's Kingdom. Old Testament scriptures have much to say about events that take place during the end of this age and the following "world to come."" "When Scripture mentions "the time of the end" or "the end of the age," it is referring to the coming end of the present evil age. This age—in reality the age of Satan—will draw to an end, replaced by the age of God's rule over and guidance of all of humanity." "Revelation is a book written to reveal the future, and Jesus Christ is the One who does the revealing...Here is the theme of Revelation—the time of the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ to establish God's Kingdom on earth." "How should we view prophecy? Can it provide spiritual benefits? The apostle Peter mentioned that prophecy should serve to strengthen our hope and faith in the future (2 Peter 1:19)."

A narrative history of the Old and New Testaments.

Documents the author's quest to live one year in literal compliance with biblical rules, from being fruitful and multiplying to growing a beard and avoiding mixed-fiber clothing.