Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Historical Books, Volume 1: Joshua-Ruth

Following Joshua's conquest to the time of the judges

· Study the land in which the stories of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth took place
· Learn how geographic and cultural factors can provide theological insights
· Visualize the promised land through full-color maps and photos

Joshua led Israel to conquer a real historic land, and the judges delivered Israel from real historic enemies. When we understand geographic and cultural features of the Bible, we experience its stories with fresh eyes. 

· Why did Joshua attack the cities he did?
· Why are Dan and Beersheba so regularly paired?
· What is the significance of Samson's battles in the Shephelah?

Written by a team of experts on biblical geography and culture, the Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Historical Books, Volume 1, is a guide to the world of Israel in the promised land. Each article addresses a particular story, event, or subject in Judges through Ruth, with full-color maps and photos providing deeper layers of context. Historical and cultural insights give readers a richer understanding of the biblical story.

Barry J. Beitzel (PhD, Dropsie University) is professor emeritus of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He obtained a postdoctorate in ancient Near Eastern geography from the Université de Liège, Belgium, and has engaged in postdoctoral archaeological work through UCLA in eastern Syria. Dr. Beitzel is the editor of the Lexham Geographic Commentary series and the author of The New Moody Atlas of the Bible. His publications on Near Eastern geography have appeared in a variety of monographs and journals, including Biblical Archaeology Review, The Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, and Iraq: The British Institute for the Study of Iraq. His maps appear in National Geographic, The Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas, The Holman Bible Atlas, The NIV Study Bible, The ESV Study Bible, and several monographs.