The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible 2vols

The field of biblical studies is dynamic, with new discoveries, new methodologies, and new perspectives continually enhancing the interpretation of the Bible. There is thus a need for an up-to-date, comprehensive, authoritative, and balanced series of reference works for biblical scholars and students. The two-volume Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible is the first in this series of specialized reference works, each addressing a specific subfield within biblical studies. The series aims to produce high-level scholarly reference works that are accessible and in-depth, going beyond the basics to provide more specialized coverage. Books of the Bible provides a single source for authoritative reference overviews of scholarship on some of the most important topics of study in the field of biblical studies. The Encyclopedia contains almost 150 in-depth entries, ranging in length from 500 to 10,000 words, on each of the canonical books of the Bible, major apocryphal books of the New and Old Testaments, important noncanonical texts, and thematic essays on topics such as canonicity, textual criticism, and translation. Books of the Bible has extensive cross-references to other useful points of interest within the Encyclopedia, and comprehensive lists of abbreviations and an index for ease of use. Illustrations of various types supplement the text and enhance its appeal. Bibliographies for all entries further add to its usefulness.
"an excellent and succinct summary of the current state of biblical scholarship...a very valuable addition to biblical studies and should be in any serious library, either personal or institutional."
--Bryan Buchanan, Association for Mormon Letters

"The OEBB brings together topics that are not always easily found in one source, making this reference material invaluable"
--Susanah Hanson, Trinity School for Ministry
Theological Librarianship

"A good reference work is addictive, and this pair of volumes certainly has that quality."
--The Times

"A great deal of careful thought and planning is evident. The treatments of individual books follow a consistent template, with a bibliography that is thorough and up-to-date, illustrations, a topical outline, and a thorough index. The list of contributors is impressive. Recommended to lower-level undergraduates and above." --CHOICE

"The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible makes an excellent addition to scholarly religious reference resources. With its breadth of entries and quality of contributors, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible provides a wealth of insight."--Journal of Religious and TheologicalInformation