See more of this title: The World of the Bible

The Bible is often best understood when it is properly placed in the cultural and social context in which it was written. To this end, this extensive reference explores the culture of the Israelites and the ancient nations that surrounded and influenced them. The time periods covered include the Bronze Age of Palestine; the Age of Empires; the Dawn of the Modern World; and the history, cultures, and beliefs of such civilizations as the Canaanites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, ancient Greeks and ancient Romans. Comprehensive and enlightening, this is a thorough history that is ideal for both Biblical studies and general historians.