Edited by Bill T. Arnold and Hugh G. M. Williamson, the Dictionary of the Old Testament Historical Books is the second volume in IVP's award-winning and ground breaking Old Testament dictionary series. This volume picks up where the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch left off--with Joshua and Israel poised to enter the land--and carries us through the postexilic period.
Some of the most critical interpretive, theological, and historical matters are brought to the forefront by this section of the Bible, and therefore by this dictionary. In addition to the major fields just noted this volume provides articles on architecture, various ancient near eastern societies and their cultures, social interaction, economy, textual concerns, scribal traditions, the nature of both the Bible's history the historians who recorded it for posterity. Moreover, ample concern is given to issues in linguistics with a strong emphasis on issues in Hebrew and Aramaic. Each biblical book is treated in detail, and the pertinent issues from each appropriately illuminated in order to establish reading competency in the biblical text.
As with all volumes in this series, the Dictionary of the Old Testament Historical Books is a critical and unique resource for both scholars and pastors. Its scope is unmatched by any other reference work on the market. Very useful for historical research, exegesis, and sermon/lesson preparation.