__'The Lion Handbook remains arguably the best single volume introduction to the Bible.' Andy Bannister__

__The Lion Handbook to the Bible was first published in 1973 and has been continuously in print ever since, selling over 3 million copies worldwide.__

This fascinating guide to the book that has intrigued and inspired millions of people for thousands of years comprises an authoritative yet accessible commentary on the Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter, alongside over 100 articles by leading scholars around the world on areas of special interest.

Beautifully illustrated throughout with more than 700 photographs, maps and illustrations, the Handbook is a pleasure to browse and read, and a mine of information and insight about this crucially important book.

__This new fifth edition has a total refresh of over 700 photographs, maps, and illustrations.__

Still the best book to have next to the Bible. The Lion Handbook to the Bible was first published in 1973 and has been continuously in print ever since, selling over 3 million copies worldwide. This fascinating guide to the book that has intrigued and inspired millions of people for thousands of years comprises an authoritative yet accessible commentary on the Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter, alongside over 100 articles by leading scholars around the world on areas of special interest. Beautifully illustrated throughout with more than 700 photographs, maps and illustrations, the Handbook is a pleasure to browse and read, and a mine of information and insight about this crucially important book. This new fifth edition has a total refresh of over 700 photographs, maps, and illustrations.

__The Lion Handbook to the Bible was first published in 1973 and has been continuously in print ever since, selling over 3 million copies worldwide.__

This fascinating guide to the book that has intrigued and inspired millions of people for thousands of years comprises an authoritative yet accessible commentary on the Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter, alongside over 100 articles by leading scholars around the world on areas of special interest.

__Beautifully illustrated__ throughout with more than __700 photographs, maps and illustrations__, the Handbook is a pleasure to browse and read, and a mine of information and insight about this crucially important book.

__This new fifth edition has a total refresh of over 700 photographs, maps, and illustrations.__

An updated 5th Edition of the worldwide bestselling The Lion Handbook to the Bible.

Still the best book to have next to the Bible

Introducing the Bible

__STARTING WITH THE BIBLE__  
14 The Books of the Bible  
18 What is the Bible?  
22 Reading the Bible

__THE BIBLE IN ITS SETTING__   
26 Making connections – the Bible and world history  
28 The Bible in its time  
30 Bringing the past to life  
36 The land of Israel  
38 Animals and birds  
40 Trees and plants  
42 Israel's calendar

__UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE__  
46 Keys to understanding  
50 Understanding the Bible  
52 The Bible as story  
53 Interpreting the Bible down the ages  
58 The text and the message

__PASSING ON THE STORY__  
62 Storykeepers – the oral tradition  
64 The scribes  
66 Editors at work  
68 The Hebrew Bible  
70 An approved list – the 'canon' of Scripture  
74 Spreading the word – the task of translation

__THE BIBLE TODAY__  
80 Cultural perspectives – East and West  
83 Jesus in a plural society  
86 The Qur'an and the Bible  
89 The Bible through women's eyes  
92 A scientist looks at the Bible  
95 Our world – their world

  
__The Old Testament__

98 Introducing the Old Testament  
100 Chart: The Old Testament story  
104 Map: Israel in Old Testament times  
105 The Old Testament and the ancient Near East

__THE FIVE BOOKS__  
Genesis to Deuteronomy  
108 Introduction  
115 Genesis  
117 Creation stories  
119 People as God's caretakers  
121 Personal names in Genesis 1 – 11  
123 Flood stories  
131 Hagar  
132 Abraham  
136 Where were Sodom and Gomorrah?  
138 Sarah  
143 Women of faith  
144 Jacob  
149 Joseph  
154 Egypt  
159 Exodus  
162 The names of God  
170 A way of life: the Ten Commandments  
176 The significance of the Tabernacle  
180 Leviticus  
182 Sacrifice  
185 Priesthood in the Old Testament  
190 The great festivals  
193 Numbers  
196 The quail  
198 Nomadic life  
205 Deuteronomy  
206 Moses  
210 Covenants and Near Eastern treaties  
214 The promised land

__ISRAEL'S HISTORY__  
Joshua to Esther  
220 Introduction  
225 Joshua  
228 Cities of the conquest  
231 Canaanites and Philistines  
234 'Holy War'  
238 Judges  
242 Settled life  
247 Understanding Judges  
251 Ruth  
252 A portrait of Ruth  
254 A story through women's eyes  
255 1 &amp; 2 Samuel  
257 Hannah  
265 Magic in the  
Old Testament  
269 David  
276 1 &amp; 2 Kings  
279 Solomon's Temple and its successors  
283 King Solomon's fortified cities  
287 Unravelling the chronology of the kings  
296 The Black Obelisk  
301 Sennacherib's Prism  
302 The siege of Lachish  
305 The lost Ark  
306 Chart: Kings of Israel and Judah  
308 1 &amp; 2 Chronicles  
325 Hezekiah's conduit  
328 Ezra  
332 The scribe  
334 Nehemiah  
340 Esther  
341 Portrait of Esther

__POETRY AND WISDOM__  
Job to Song of Solomon  
344 Introduction  
349 Job  
352 Understanding Job  
359 Psalms  
363 The Psalms in their setting  
367 A poet looks at Psalms  
379 God and the universe  
382 Self-justification, cursing and vengeance in Psalms  
388 Christ in the psalms  
393 Proverbs  
395 Wisdom in Proverbs and Job  
397 Important themes in Proverbs 10 – 31  
400 Ecclesiastes  
403 Song of Solomon THE PROPHETS Isaiah to Malachi  
408 Introduction  
414 Chart: The prophets in their setting  
417 Isaiah  
420 Understanding Isaiah  
423 Prophets and prophecy  
432 The Assyrians  
439 Jeremiah  
441 Portrait of Jeremiah  
456 The Babylonians  
459 Lamentations  
461 Ezekiel  
473 Daniel  
478 Old Testament views of the afterlife  
480 The Persians  
483 Hosea  
486 Understanding Hosea  
488 Joel  
490 Amos  
491 Justice and the poor  
495 Obadiah  
496 Jonah  
498 Micah  
500 Nahum  
502 Habakkuk  
504 Zephaniah  
505 Haggai  
507 Zechariah  
512 Malachi  
515 Deuterocanonical books  
521 The Greeks

__THE NEW TESTAMENT__

526 Map: Israel in New Testament times  
527 What is the New Testament?  
528 Jewish religion in New Testament times  
532 Herod's Temple  
534 Jews under Roman rule: the province of Judea  
536 Chart: The New Testament story

__THE GOSPELS AND ACTS__  
Matthew to Acts  
538 Introduction: The Gospels and Jesus Christ  
542 The life of Jesus  
545 Studying the Gospels  
549 Matthew  
551 'God with us' – the incarnation  
553 The star of Bethlehem  
557 The twelve disciples of Jesus  
563 Jesus and the kingdom of God  
566 Jesus and money  
569 Jesus and the Old Testament  
574 Passover and the Last Supper  
577 Mark  
581 Fishing in Lake Galilee  
587 Jesus and the cities  
589 Jesus and women  
592 Roman soldiers in the New Testament  
593 Pilate  
595 Luke  
596 The virgin birth  
600 The census  
602 Mary, the mother of Jesus  
603 Women's perspectives in the Gospels  
605 The New Testament miracles  
608 Martha and Mary  
619 Jesus' resurrection  
621 John  
627 The Herod family  
630 Jerusalem in New Testament times  
636 The peace of God  
637 Love  
641 Mary Magdalene  
643 Acts  
650 A historian looks at the New Testament  
655 'Good News!' – from the first Christians  
659 The city of Athens  
661 The Holy Spirit in Acts  
670 Roman rule, Greek culture

__THE LETTERS__  
Romans to Revelation  
674 Introduction: The Letters  
680 Chart: The New Testament Letters  
681 Romans  
684 The city of Rome  
689 Paul  
692 God's sovereign choice  
694 1 Corinthians  
696 The city of Corinth  
701 Sexual issues in the church at Corinth  
703 Spiritual gifts  
706 2 Corinthians  
711 Galatians  
714 Ephesians  
716 The city of Ephesus  
720 Philippians  
723 Colossians  
724 Understanding Colossians  
727 Angels in the Bible  
728 1 &amp; 2 Thessalonians  
732 1 &amp; 2 Timothy  
737 Titus  
739 Philemon  
740 Hebrews  
742 The Old Testament in the New Testament  
746 Understanding Hebrews  
749 James  
752 1 &amp; 2 Peter  
753 The Jewish Dispersion  
758 1, 2 &amp; 3 John  
762 Jude  
763 Revelation  
765 The seven churches of Revelation  
766 Emperor worship and Revelation  
771 Understanding Revelation Nazareth, hometown of Jesus.

Pat Alexander;David Alexander

Cover

Halftitle

Title Page

Copyright

Preface

1. Introducing the Bible

Starting With the Bible

The Bible in Its Setting

Understanding the Bible

Passing on the Story

The Bible Today

2. The Old Testament

Introduction

The Five Books

Israel's History

Poetry and Wisdom

The Prophets

3. The New Testament

The Gospels and Acts

The Letters

4. Rapid Factfinder

An updated 5th Edition of the worldwide bestselling The Lion Handbook to the Bible

The Lion Handbook to the Bible was first published in 1973 and has been continuously in print ever since, selling over 3 million copies worldwide. This fascinating guide to the book that has intrigued and inspired millions of people for thousands of years comprises an authoritative yet accessible commentary on the Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter, alongside over 100 articles by leading scholars around the world on areas of special interest. Beautifully illustrated throughout with more than 600 photographs, maps and illustrations, the Handbook is a pleasure to browse and read, and a mine of information and insight about this crucially important book. For this new edition, the images throughout have been re-researched and refreshed, allowing for future digital use, and an improved final print.

The Lion Handbook to the Bible has been on the nearest shelf to my desk for a few decades - my 'go to' introduction for preaching and teaching but also to browse in a relaxed way amongst its many gems. -- David Wilkinson Indispensable guide for the serious Bible student. -- R.T.Kendall It remains arguably the best single volume introduction to the Bible. -- Andy Bannister The best commentary ever. -- Jennifer Rees Larcombe

Pat Alexander is co-founder and former editorial director of Lion Publishing. She is also the compiler and author of many books ranging from the best-selling Lion Handbook to the Bible to The Lion First Bible. Pat lives in Oxford where she is actively involved in local church and community life. Deceased. David Alexander was a founder of Lion Publishing, and for 28 years a Director of the company. He spent much time researching and taking photographs for books such as The Lion Handbook to the Bible. Helping people to understand the Bible and communicating its message was a key factor in his work. David took his degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University.

'Indispensable guide for the serious Bible student.' - R. T. Kendall

'The Lion Handbook to the Bible has been on my nearest shelf to my desk for a few decades - my 'go-to' introduction for preaching and teaching but also to browse in a relaxed way amongst its many gems.' - David Wilkinson

'I wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommend it to anyone wanting to take the Bible more seriously and engage at a deeper level.' - Gavin Calver

'The best commentary ever' - Jennifer Rees Larcombe

'A great one volume introduction to, highly readable, that opens the door to more serious scholarship. It remains arguably the best single volume introduction to the Bible.' - Andy Bannister

The Bible's history in your hands, this new Lion Handbook to the Bible is rich with even more crisp images, and enlightening background knowledge.

\["Looking for a visual way into the Bible?","This is a go-to guide to help you picture the world of God's word as you read","You won't only read the Bible from now on: you'll picture it too."\]

Looking for new depths of Bible reading? Want to better picture where Jesus walked, how Moses lived, and where David shepherded? This 5th edition of the Lion Handbook to the Bible is here for you.  
For uncovering the land that housed the life-changing events of the Bible, this handbook is perfect. It offers the keys to understanding the Bible in a whole new way.

It's your trusted companion through the Bible.

For 43 years now, the Lion Handbooks to the Bible have illuminated reader's steps in God's word, becoming the best book to have next to the Bible. Its brilliant commentary, including articles by writers like John Goldingay, has been thoroughly researched, and sits alongside high-quality images of landscapes, artefacts, and the world as it exists today.

Explored here are all the small details of the Bible. The secret meanings and nuances of the many cultures that feature lie waiting in these pages. From the lasting symbolism or the river Jordan ,to the politics of Herod's reign, to what the armour worn by Philistine soldier looked like.

The Bible's history in your hands.

Included in this handbook are:

- Over 120 articles by leading theologians and scholars
- A thorough guide to the Bible that explores, chapter by chapter, the key words and meanings of the passages of the Bible
- More than 700 high-quality, restored and new, images taken by the Lion founder, and contributing editor, David Alexander
- 20 Charts and Diagrams that visualises vital information in a pleasing and engaging way
- Over 60 maps of the changing and shifting locations of the Bible
- A 'Rapid Factfinder to the Bible' that helps you locate precisely what it is you are looking for


Perfect for long-time believers wanting new depths, or seekers looking to better understand this iconic book, The Lion Handbook to the Bible will leave you never wanting to read the Bible without it again.

Pat Alexander was co-founder and former editorial director of Lion Publishing. She was also the compiler and author of many books ranging from the best-selling Lion Handbook to the Bible to The Lion First Bible. Pat lived in Oxford where she was actively involved in local church and community life.

David Alexander was a founder of Lion Publishing, and for 28 years a Director of the company. He spent much time researching and taking photographs for books such as The Lion Handbook to the Bible. Helping people to understand the Bible and communicating its message was a key factor in his work. David took his degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University

Is this book Hardback or paperback. I am looking for a hardback copy?

The new lion handbook to the bible

Keith Kitson

A book every household should have in their library. This publication constitutes a quality which matches the best of the reknowned Dorling Kindersley publication so popular on the marketplace.

Beautiful publication

Bessie Beryl Harper

All you need to help you understand the Bible bettet

Good buy

Susan Willmets

I have had a previous edition of this book and found it very readable,useful alongside my bible as well as for background information to bible times. In order to encourage a non church goer to take more interest in the bible I lent my copy of the Lion handbook and never got it back! So another was copy was very desirable.

Don't like being without this interesting and informative book

The Lion Handbook to the Bible Fifth Edition

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