What Is a Bible Background Commentary? Commentaries are among the most important books any Christian can own, for commentaries are dedicated to helping the reader better understand the Bible. Yet commentaries vary in focus. The Victor Bible Background Commentary: New Testament is a special type of reference tool. It is intended to provide enrichment information for the communicator of God's Word. In seventy-seven teachable units this volume covers the whole of the New Testament. It draws on a variety of sources to provide background which illuminates the text and guides its application to people today. And because the goal of the book is to serve the lay Bible teacher and preacher, special attention is paid to those passages which are most teachable an preachable. Each chapter includes the following features: and • Exposition: gives overview of the teaching unit. and • Word Studies: focuses on key terms and phrases. and • The Passage in Depth: explores discrete teachable and preachable events/teachings found in the exposition. Most entries include: and • Background: gives information on key historical, archaeological, or cultural elements and • Interpretation: examines original intent of the writer and • Application: suggests how passage might be developed in a lesson/sermon Also included in many of the units are sidebars that contain quotes from primary historical sources, charts, or relevant research. Dr. Lawrence O. Richards has published over 125 books in a thirty-year writing history. His textbooks on Christian education have been translated into twenty-two languages. His scholarly works on the Bible include The Revell Bible Dictionary and The Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words. Victor Books has previously published Dr. Richards' The Teacher's Commentary, The 365 Day Devotional Commentary, and The Bible Reader's Companion. this present work, The Victor Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, is the product of forty years of study plus two years of intensive research.

This book sheds light on a vast array of everyday objects, practices, and customs, illuminating every aspect of daily life in Bible times.

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.

In this book, Mike will provide a comprehensive introduction to Isaiah explaining the structure, style and various themes Isaiah addresses as well as several lessons developed from key passages in Isaiah's book.

Jefferson regarded Jesus as a moral guide rather than a divinity. In his unique interpretation of the Bible, he highlights Christ's ethical teachings, discarding the scriptures' supernatural elements, to reflect the deist view of religion.