What is the best Bible dictionary in your opinion? And why?

Question

Please tell why --- otherwise your answer won't be considered for best answer, sorry.

Answer 1

The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Books) is great for more in depth explanations not only of biblical terms, but the various doctrinal and philosophical positions. It shows how a name, idea, or theme is developed through the entirety of Scripture. I'd actually class it as an "concise encyclopedia."
Strongs, Holmans, Eastons, Naves and Vines are all great for shorter definitions.

Answer 2

I have the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary.

1st, I reviewed (online) several. I arrived at a selection of 3 or 4.

I then looked over these at a bookstore. HarperCollins had the most accurate entry for Yahweh (indeed, most others had no entry). This is a pet topic of mine - the tetragrammaton - and most of the other finalists did not even have an entry under Yahweh. This convinced me the the HCBD was the most complete.

It should be noted that this is not a language dictionary, such as Strong's. Entries are about biblical personages, locations, books, and the history of the bible and many versions. The information is very scholarly (i.e. shows little bias).

I have since found it very useful, and refer to it frequently when answering on bible history. However, I *do* long for an even more comprehensive work. This is exactly what it claims - a bible dictionary, and so has little or no information on topics that are not directly related to the bible. I would love to have included references concerning the post-biblical history of Christianity, for example.

Nevertheless, I have found it to be well worth the price. If you search Amazon for bible dictionaries and sort by ratings, I suspect that you will find the HCBD near the top of the list.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis. com/wheel/

Answer 3

Holman Bible Dictionary, 600 full-color photos, illustrations, charts and maps.

Time line of biblical history compared to world history.
Pronunciation guide for all proper nouns and other hard-to-pronounce words.
Latest archaeological info fromJerusalem excavations, Dead Sea Scrolls, Ebla, etc.

The latter is the reason I purchased it, but to say it is the best, I cannot say. I haven't compared that many.

I purchased it because it looked like the best to me.

Answer 4

If you want to learn about Christianity==the bible Anything else Dictionaries are better than wikipedia, because anyone can edit wikipedia

Answer 5

I use the Vine's Dictionary. I like it because it gives different definitions for meanings in all different verses. Also because its tied to the Strongs.
I also use www.studylight.org when I don't want to get out the Vine's. They have at least 5 different online dictionaries, and between them all, I tend to get what I'm looking for. If not, I dig out the Vine's.

Answer 6

Oh rebel, try this. Read it, learn it, live it.

Sorry I gave up reading after college. But I do like creative writing on a stick. Tastes like chicken....

Answer 7

I find the Holy Bible (Authorized KJV) interprets itself,
and therefore I don't use any Bible 'dictionaries' at all
in studying out the "allegory" and "mystery" thereof.
For such are called 'dangerous helps' of "many".

I do use the Authorized KJV Bible Word List:
http://www.apostolic-churches.net/bible/allwords/
Thereby I can check out how the bible defines a word.

If I used a dictionary, for confirmation, it'd be Webster's.

let us remember it's all "allegory" in both "covenants",
so taking any word of it literal is as miss-understanding.

'seek and find' doesn't suggest believing others,
but rather suggests seek and find out for yourself.

I would not have anyone believe whatever I say,
but rather I encourage all to seek and "find grace";
for I could be one of many shall come to "deceive".

His Grace --> Mercy ---> Peace with you all. Amen.

Answer 8

I feel it is a beautiful old book of myths. Many of its stories can be found in other myth. The stories, in and of themselves, are clearly mythical; two of every kind of animal on a wooden boat, man made of dust, the garden with its trees and serpent, Samson and his magic hair, the list goes on. We came learn a lot from what our distant forefathers thought, but the book is a fantasy.

Answer 9

Ive got one just one called faussets

Answer 10

Strong's....because only strong bible students use it.