Holman Bible Atlas: A Complete Guide to the Expansive Geography of Biblical History
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
The Holman Bible Atlas illuminates the Bible for a whole new generation of students and teachers by introducing them to the physical, cultural, and historical settings of the biblical narrative. Integrating insights from physical and historical geography, archaeology, ancient historical sources, and the Bible itself, the Holman Bible Atlas presents 132 newly designed full color maps complete with specific biblical texts to assist teachers and students alike in understanding. Beginning with the physical geography of the ancient Near East and Palestine, the Holman Bible Atlas illuminates various periods of biblical history by outlining eras from the Patriarchs through the Christian era and Constantine.
- Discussion of great empires influential to the ancient Near East—Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome
- Insight on Israel’s neighboring people groups—the Aramaeans, Moabites, Edomites, Amorites, and Phoenicians
- Discussion of road systems, economic life, and the recovery of ancient societies by archaeologists
Top Highlights
“The gospel story begins ‘In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus’ (Luke 2:1). These familiar words link the New Testament era with the most powerful state the ancient world ever produced. The Roman Empire provided the historical setting for all New Testament events and created the conditions necessary for the spread of the gospel. The Roman Peace (Pax Romana) established by Augustus ended centuries of bitter conflict and established safe borders within which Roman law governed. Travel and commerce flowed freely throughout the vast empire. In some sense, the political and cultural dominance of Rome over the Mediterranean basin was part of the ‘fulness of the time’ (Gal. 4:4 KJV) God prepared for His supreme revelation through His Son.” (Page 190)
“The emergence of powerful and enduring civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia gave strategic importance to Palestine. Palestine was a ‘land bridge’ linking the two great cultural centers. The major international route, the International Coastal Highway, crossed portions of Palestine. This geographical fact is crucial to the history of Palestine. As part of the corridor connecting Egypt and Mesopotamia, Palestine possessed a strategic importance far greater than its size or relatively few resources might suggest. Palestine sat astride the vital economic and military arteries of the Near East. Historically, this meant two things: (1) the people living in Palestine felt the imprint of many cultures, and (2) the major powers sought control of this small land.” (Page 4)
- Title: Holman Bible Atlas
- Author: Thomas V. Brisco
- Publisher: Broadman & Holman
- Publication Date: 1998
- Pages: 297
Thomas V. Brisco is Dean of the Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University. He previously served as Professor of Religion at Baylor University and Professor of Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received a B. A. at Ouachita Baptist University and a M. Div. and Ph. D. at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Brisco specializes in ancient near eastern history and archaeology particularly as these subjects relate to the historical, cultural, and geographical setting of the Bible. His archaeological field experience includes work at Tel Aphek and Tel Batash in Israel.
Reviews
5 ratings
Blake
11/21/2021
I like the book, honestly. There is good information and it is well written. I have both the book and digital copy. I do have problems with this purchase and I recommend you not buy it. First, I have issues with the resource loading on my mobile device which I use quite often. I have tried everything. It worked at first, but now just does not load/display. I may issue a technical request to figure it out. Second, and this is a gripe with many folks (there is a thread in the forum in fact): The map files are low resolution. Logos claims that this is what the publisher sent them. I know that other version of digital software also have this same issue. Logos is compelled to provide the buyer a more usable high resolution of the maps, we pay full price for the digital copy and I expect a map that I can zoom in and not become crud. Its that bad which is a shame because the book itself and printed maps are outstanding and useful. What a shame. 3 stars for the digital copy and 5 stars for the book.
Darwin Te
12/15/2020
Bobby D. Gayton
11/12/2018
Is Logos going to offer the newest Baker's Bible Atlas by Charles F. Pfieffer? I need it for a class that I am teaching at a School of Preaching and Biblical Studies.
Katelyn M
10/30/2018
Collin A Barth
6/30/2014
Johann
3/16/2012
This is a great resource for me. I'm a very visual person and it helps me to know how Biblical places relate to each other on a map with a description of the political issues and notes on archeological evidence that supports the Biblical record. One more note: I find viewing the graphics in Logos hard, which is more of a comment on the Logos system than the Atlas. But you can save the image to your computer and open it in another program if you need to see the details better. I hope Logos finds a way to display graphics better.
