Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Zondervan has completely revised its previous New International Bible Dictionary by Douglas, itself a revision of the earlier Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary by Tenney (both now deceased). This newest incarnation updates every article and has over 1800 new entries. Editor Silva (The Essential Bible Dictionary) is also the editor of the recent Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, and this work "may be regarded, to some extent, as an abbreviated version of its multivolume cousin," according to the introduction. Because of the extensive revision, articles are no longer signed, and there are no bibliographies for entries; the reader is encouraged to investigate the longer Encyclopedia for further information. In all, there are over 7200 articles with intratext cross-references; 500 full-color charts, photographs, and illustrations; and 75 full-color maps. Also included are a pronunciation index, a list of abbreviations, and an index of scripture. Although inexpensive and handsomely produced, this title, like TheZondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, is geared toward a conservative Christian audience. Jesus Christ is referred to throughout as "our Lord," and his divinity is unquestioned. The New Testament books "have brought untold blessing where they have been received and obeyed," and the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit to "give God's message to men and women." This work, therefore, may not be appropriate for libraries seeking a more academic or ecumenical resource. For them, the scholarly Anchor Bible Dictionary (Doubleday, 1992) or the more layperson-friendly New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (Abingdon, 2009) would be more appropriate. BOTTOM LINE Recommended for church libraries, parochial schools, and Christian theological libraries serving a conservative Christian audience.—Amanda Sprochi, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia