Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible: Second Extensively Revised Edition - Hardcover

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9789004111196: Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible: Second Extensively Revised Edition

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9004111190 ISBN 13: 9789004111196

Publisher: Brill, 1998

The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible is the single major work of reference on the gods, angels, demons, spirits and semi-divine heroes whose names occur in the biblical books. First published in 1995 and chosen by "Choice" as Best Reference Work of 1996, an extensively revised edition was published in 1998. Arranged in the order of the Latin alphabet, the more than four-hundred names are those found in the books of the Hebrew and the Greek Bible, Old and New Testament, including the Apocrypha. There are entries on divine names recognized as such by the biblical authors; divine names in theophoric toponyms and anthroponyms; secular terms which occur as divine names in neighbouring civilizations, conjectural divine names, at times based on textual emendation, proposed by modern scholarship; and humans who acquired a semi-divine status in tradition. A typical entry contains a discussion of the pertinent name, its meaning, the religio-historical background, relevant biblical passages and an up-to-date bibliography. Extensive indices and cross-references provide easy access to the rich information of the dictionary. The Dictionary of Deities and Demons is the fruit of a common effort of a group of more than a hundred international scholars from a variety of traditions.

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Review:

"'This unique source is a grand scholarly achievement whose depth, breadth, and contemporaneity will make it useful to scholars and graduate students in religion and ancient cultures, Highly recommended for any library supporting programs in religion.'
D. Bourquin, "Choice, 1996.
"'...this is a fine work, and DDD" will not fail to become a household term of scholars. The editors - and not to forget the publisher - can be congratulated on their achievement.'
"Internationale Zeitschriftenschau f]r Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete, 1995.
'..".an excellent resource on the religious background of the Bible...an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the religious background of the Bible.'
Rich Johnson, "Southwestern Journal of Theology, 1998.
'"It is an authoritative resource, an exhaustive catalog of super-natural beings whose names appear in the Bible (that is, the Hebrew Bible, The Septuagint, and the New Testament)...Recommended for academic collections...'
Craig W. Beard, "Library Journal, 1999.
'"Every serious student of the Bible and its ancient setting must have this important tool near his or her desk.'
"Internationale Zeitschriftenschau f]r Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete, 1999.
'"The result is much more valuable and interesting than anything I have read in its field - in English- for a long time.'
David Ridgway, "The Times Higher Education Supplement, 2000.
'"magnificently producedThis work is invaluable for the beginning and competent reseracher.'
Linda L. Lam-Easton, "American Reference Books Annual, 2000.
'"For all libraries.'
Tammi J. Schneider, "Religious Studies Review, 2000.

From Library Journal:

The previous edition of this dictionary (Brill, 1995) was the first such reference work on the subject, and this second edition retains that distinction. It is an authoritative resource, an exhaustive catalog of supernatural beings whose names appear in the Bible (that is, the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint, and the New Testament). However, some readers who turn to this work based on its title are in for a few surprises. Along with the anticipated articles on angels, Baal, cherubim, Dagon, Elohim, and Yahweh, they will also find ones on Esau, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Moses, and Mary. Given the criteria established by the editorscandidates are those whose name contains that of a deity (Hebrew or otherwise) and humans who later achieved divine statustheir inclusion makes sense. Despite the inclusiveness of their criteria, the editors admit the inclusion of [some] deities often is more a tribute to scholarly ingenuity than an accurate picture of the religious situation in biblical times. The articles are full of transliterated ancient words, linguistic terminology, and parenthetical references that may make wading through them an investment not worth the return for general readers. Recommended for academic collections, though public librarians should evaluate what it offers against the needs of their users.Craig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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