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The following subject headings are examples useful in researching the Old Testament in our catalog, or in any catalog that uses Library of Congress classification.  In LEO, you need not type the hyphens when you do a Subject search.  To locate additional subject headings, use the Library of Congress Subject Headings volumes located near the printers in the Reference Room.

Bible -- O.T.	Bible and Feminism
Bible -- O.T. -- Commentaries	Bible as Literature
Bible -- O.T. -- [name of a book, e.g., Daniel]	Bible -- Antiquities
Bible and Literature	Bible -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. -- History

Bibliographic Index. 1937- .
(Index/Abstract Table 5)

Gorman, G. E. Theological and Religious Reference Materials. Westport, CN: Greenwood, 1984-1985. 3 vols.
(Ref BS 511.2 G6 1984)

The National Union Catalog, Pre-1956 Imprints. [London]: Mansell, 1980. 4 vol.
(Biblio Z 881 A1 U372).

This catalog attempts to list all books in any language published throughout the world through 1955. Volumes 53-56 contain Biblical entries. For the advanced researcher.

Wilson, John F. Research Guide to Religious Studies. Chicago: American Library Association, 1982.
(Ref BL 41 W5 1982)

Useful for its annotated bibliography of standard reference sources and for its essays discussing the important monographic sources.

Dictionaries and encyclopedias can be useful in getting brief descriptions of a topic or word. They can also be important early in the research process to determine the parameters of the research topic and to narrow down the scope of one's coverage. Some of these sources are useful for their bibliographies listing additional information. Carrier Library has many of the outstanding English language reference sources for your research.

The Anchor Bible Dictionary. New York: Doubleday, 1992. 6 vol.
(Ref BS 440 A54 1992).

The current standard (best) scholarly Bible dictionary. Many entries include brief bibliographies. Few illustrations. This dictionary updates, but does not replace, The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible.

Bauer, Johannes B. Sacramentum Verb: An Encyclopedia of Biblical Theology . [New York]: Herder and Herder, [1970]. 3 vols.
(Ref BS 440 B4313)

Bimson, John J. Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Places: Towns & Cities, Countries & States, Archaeology & Topography . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1995.
Ref BS 635.2 B34 1995)

This heavily illustrated book includes graphs and maps of the Biblical world. Comprehensive and a first choice.

Blair, Edward P. The Illustrated Bible Handbook . Nashville: Abingdon, 1987.
(Ref BS 475.2 B5 1987)

Useful for its introductory studies on the Old Testament. The beginning student should find this source helpful.

Botterweck, G. Johannes. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament . Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, [1974- ]. vol. 1- . in process.
(Ref BS 440 B5713).

Scholarly presentation of the key words and terms of the Old Testament. Alphabetical arrangement by the Hebrew term.

Encyclopedias Judaica . [New York]: Macmillan, 1972. 16 vols.
(Ref DS 102.8 E496)

Jewish scholarship that includes discussion of the Old Testament.

Encyclopedias of Religion and Ethics . Ed. by James Hastings. New York: Scribner, 1951 reprint of the 1908-1927 ed. 13 vols. in 7.
(Ref BL 31 E44 1951)

Scholarly presentation of lengthy articles with full bibliographies.

Encyclopedia of Religion . Ed. by Mircea Elieade. New York: Macmillan, 1987-1988. 16 vols. (Ref BL 31 E46 1987)

This encyclopedia offers the most current research in any of our encyclopedias covering the Old Testament. Bibliographies are included.

The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary . rev. ed. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.
(Ref BS 440 M52 1996).

Useful for the introductory student.

Hastings, James. A Dictionary of the Bible; Dealing with Its Language, Literature, and Contents, Including the Biblical Theology . Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, [1898-1904]. 5 vols.
(Ref BS 440 H5)

A standard, classic work of scholarship. Contains some bibliographies. A revised edition is not held by Carrier Library.

Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible. New York: Macmillan, 1986.
(Ref BS 440 I36 1986).

This profusely illustrated dictionary has definitions along with pertinent scripture references in the margins. A brief concordance is appended.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia . rev. ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1979-1988.
(Ref BS 440 I6 1979)

Scholarly, illustrated, alphabetically arranged encyclopedia. Longer entries have bibliographies.

The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible; . . . . New York: Abingdon, 1962. (4 vols. with a supplement in 1976)
(Ref BS 440 I63).

An excellent Old Testament dictionary source. Although The Anchor Bible Dictionary is more current this dictionary remains essential for serious and detailed research. Scholarly. Illustrated. Some bibliographies.

Landman, Isaac, ed. The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia: An Authoritative and Popular Presentation of Jews and Judaism Since the Earliest Times . New York: Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, 1948. 10 vols.
(DS 102.8 U5).

Old Testament history and viewpoints are discussed in this scholarly work.

Leon-Dufour, Xavier. Dictionary of Biblical Theology . 2nd ed, rev. and enl. New York: Seabury, [1973].
(Ref BS 543 A1 L413 1973)

van der Woude, A. S., ed. The World of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans, 1989.
(Ref BS 1140.2 O93 1989).

A general handbook offering a variety of information. Major sections include history of Israel, literature of the Old Testament, and the books of the Old Testament.

Commentaries are tools written to expand on the Biblical text and to provide information about the Bible and its time. Generally, the commentaries listed here will amplify the text and supplement this with chapters/essays on topics of interest to the researcher of the Old Testament. The Anchor Bible, The Interpreter's Bible, and the New Interpreter's Bible are today the scholarly commentaries furnishing comprehensive coverage for the researcher.

Eiselan, Frederick, et al, eds. The Abingdon Bible Commentary. New York: Abingdon, 1929.
(Ref BS 491 E5)

An excellent one volume commentary. Although it represents an earlier generation of scholarship, it is still useful. Brief comments on the text are supplemented by essays on a wide range of Biblical topics.

The Anchor Bible. Garden City, N. Y.: Doubleday, 1964- . Vil. 1- . in process.
(Ref BS 192.2 A1 1964).

This series represents interfaith scholarship at its best. The Biblical text is followed by explanatory notes and commentary. One of the best commentaries today.

Black, Matthew, ed. Peake's Commentary on the Bible. New York: T. Nelson, [1962].
(Ref BS 491 B57 1972)

Scholarly presentation in a one volume commentary. In addition to commentary on the Bible text, there are chapters on such topics as archeology, geography, etc.

The Interpreter's Bible: The Holy Scriptures in the King James and Revised Standard Versions with General Articles and Introduction, Exegesis, Exposition for Each Book of the Bible. New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury, [1951-1957]. 12 vols.
(Ref BS 491 I65)

This commentary represents the leading scholarship in the English speaking world of the past generation. Still useful but The New Interpreter's Bible is updating this work. Detailed, with examples.

The New Interpreter's Bible: General Articles & Introduction, Commentary, & Reflections for Each Book of the Bible, Including the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1994-2002. 12 vol.
(Ref BS 491.2 N484 1994).

The current standard commentary. Superb commentary with the text of the New International Version and New Revised Standard Version in parallel columns. This is the updating of The Interpreter's Bible... (1951-1957). Although it will not completely replace the older work this new edition will offer the most current scholarship available.

Orchard, Bernard, Father. A Catholic Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. New York: Nelson, [1953).
(Ref BS 491 O7 1953).

The following titles are examples of Old Testament (Bible) versions in Carrier Library. Check the online catalog for other representative versions.

Bible. English. Authorized. 1611. Holy Bible: 1611 Edition: King James Version. Nashville, T. Nelson, 1992 reprint.
(Ref BS 185 1611 N4 1993).

Facsimile edition of the original 1611 version of the Bible.

Bible. English. Authorized. 1984. The Holy Bible, King James Version.... Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, [1984].
(BS 185 1984 G73 1984)

Bible. English. Douai. 1914. The Holy Bible, Translated from the Latin Vulgate; .... Baltimore: John Murphy, [1914].
(Ref BS 180 1914)

Bible. English. 1961. New English. The New English Bible. [New York]; Oxford UP, 1961.
(BS 192 A1 1961 N4)

Bible. English. New Jerusalem Bible. 1985. The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1985.
(BS 195 J4 1985)

The Jerusalem Bible is located at BS 195 J4 1966.

Bible. English. New Revised Standard. 1989. The Holy Bible...: New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University, 1989.
(Ref BS 191.5 A1 1989 N49).

Bible. English. Revised Standard. 1952. The Holy Bible. Revised Standard Version Containing the Old and New Testaments,.... New York: T. Nelson, 1952.
(BS 191 A1 1952 N4)

Carrier Library has a number of books on Old Testament history. The following are examples only of this collection. The Van Seters work is included because of his attention to the historiography of the Old Testament time period. Books dealing with the history of the Jews, and other Old Testament era peoples, e.g. Assyrians and Hittites, may be useful to historical research.

Eissfeldt, Otto. The Old Testament: An Introduction, Including the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, and Also the Works of Similar Type from Qumran: The History of the Formation of the Old Testament. New York: Harper & Row, [1965].
(BS 1140 E538)

Grant, Michael. The History of Ancient Israel. New York: Scribner, 1984.
(DS 117 G894 1984)

Noth, Martin. The Old Testament World. Philadelphia: Fortress, [1966].
(BS 1197 N6513 1966)

Pfeiffer, Robert H. Introduction to the Old Testament. New York: Harper and Brothers, [1941].
(BS 1140 P47)

Van Seters, John. In Search of History: Historiography in the Ancient World and the Origins of Biblical History . New Haven, CN: Yale UP, 1983.
(DS 62.2 V35 1983)

This section provides examples of research on how our English version of the Old Testament--the Bible--came to be. Carrier Library's copy of the Septuagint represents the earliest existent version of the complete Old Testament. The books by Beyerlin and Pritchard print Near East texts that shed light on the Old Testament and the historical time period. Several books in this section are on the canon of the Old Testament, i.e. the genuine and inspired writings recognized by the organized church.

Beckwith, Roger T. The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church and Its Background in Early Judaism. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1985.
(BS 1135 B43 1985)

Beyerlin, Walter. Near Eastern Religious Texts Relating to the Old Testament. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1978.
(BL 1060 R4413)

Scholarly presentation. Useful for background on the civilizations in contact with Old Testament peoples.

Bible. O. T. Greek. Septuagint. 1980. The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Regency Reference Library from Zondervan, [1980].
(BS 742 B74 1980)

Earliest extant Old Testament version. A commentary on the Septuagint by Peter Katz, entitled The Text of the Septuagint: Its Corruptions and Their Emendation is @ BS 744 K33 1973.

The Cambridge History of the Bible. Cambridge: UP, 1963-1970.
(Ref BS 480 C26)

Scholarly presentation of the history of the text and canon of the Old Testament. Essential for researching this area of Old Testament study.

Coats, George W., and O. Long Burke, eds. Canon and Authority: Essays in Old Testament Religion and Theology . Philadelphia: Fortress, 1977.
(BS 480 C34)

Kenyon, Frederic G. Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts. New York: Harper, [1958].
(BS 445 K46 1958a)

Price, Ira M. The Ancestry of Our English Bible: An Account of Manuscripts, Texts, and Versions of the Bible . 3rd rev. ed. New York: Harper, [1956].
(BS 445 P7 1956)

Discussion includes a section on Old Testament texts and versions.

Pritchard, James B. Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament. 3rd ed. with supp. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1969.
(BS 1180 P83 1969)

Valuable for linking the Old Testament to its time and the historical and geographical setting. Scholarly.

Robinson, Henry W., ed. The Bible in its Ancient and English Versions. Westport, CN: Greenwood, [1970] reprint of the 1940 ed.
(BS 445 R66 1970)

Sanders, James A. Torah and Canon. Philadelphia: Fortress, [1972].
(BS 1135 S25).

Several titles are listed in this section to furnish representative examples of criticism of Old Testament theology. A subject heading useful in the online catalog would be:

BIBLE O.T.--THEOLOGY

Eichrodt, Walther. Theology of the Old Testament. Philadelphia: Westminster, [1961-1967]. 2 vols.
(BS 1192.5 E353)

Prussner, Frederick C., and John H. Hayes. Old Testament Theology: Its History and Development. Atlanta: John Knox, 1985.
(BS 1192.5 P74 1985)

Wright, George E. The Old Testament and Theology. New York: Harper & Row, [1969].
(BS 1192.5 W7)

Works by several of the leading Old Testament archaeology scholars, e.g. William Albright and James Pritchard are included in this section. Additional archaeology information should be located in journal articles (see the index section below) and in general history books on the Old Testament.

Albright, William F. Archaeology and the Religion of Israel. 5th ed. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins, [1968].
(BS 1180 A4 1968)

Scholarly presentation by a leading Old Testament researcher of this century.

Avi-Yonah, Michael, ed. Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1975-1978. 4 vols.
(DS 111 A2 E5313)

Very scholarly discussion. Illustrated, including color. Maps and lengthy bibliographies are featured. This has been updated by the work edited by Stern (below).

Kapelrud, Arvid S. The Ras Shamra Discoveries and the Old Testament. Norman, Okla.: U of Oklahoma, 1963.
(BL 1670 K33 1963)

Example of a book shedding light on religious cults and their practices during Old Testament Times and the relationship to the Hebrew people.

Negev, Avraham. Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land. rev & updated ed. New York: Prentice-Hall, 2001.
(Ref DS 111 A2 A73 2001).

Dictionary arrangement. This illustrated volume has citations to Biblical verses.

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the New East. New York: Oxford University, 1997. 5 vol.
(Ref DS 56 O9 1997).

A scholarly study having interest to ancient history and Old Testament studies. Maps, timelines, and illustrations are included. Bibliographies are available.

Pfeiffer, Charles F., ed. The Biblical World: A Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, [1966].
(Ref BS 622 P4)

Alphabetical arrangement. Excellent illustrations. Some entries contain a bibliography.

Pritchard, James B. Archaeology and the Old Testament. [Princeton, NJ]: Princeton U, 1958.
(BS 1180 P84)

Stern, Ephraim, ed. The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993. 4 vol.
(Ref DS 111 A2 N488 1993).

The standard (best) archaeological encyclopedia available today in the English language. Scholarly presentation with maps, illustrations, drawings, etc. Extensive bibliographies. The final volume has chronological tables, king lists, and a glossary.

The two titles listed here are devoted to Old Testament chronology. Many other sources will have chronological charts in varying degrees of emphasis. Many Biblical atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and histories offer chronology information.

Finegan, Jack. Handbook of Biblical Chronology: Principles of Time Reckoning in the Ancient World and Problems of Chronology in the Bible. Princeton, NJ: Princeton U, 1964.
(BS 637.2 F5)

Scholarly presentation.

Walton, John H. Chronological Charts of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1978.
(Ref BS 637.2 W35)

Comprehensive coverage is furnished in fifty-nine separate chronology charts.

Carrier Library has the major concordances for Old Testament research. A concordance is an alphabetical arrangement of the principal words with reference to the book and verse in which they are used.

Cruden, Alexander. A Complete Concordance to the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, [1949].
(Ref BS 425 C85 1949)

The Eerdman's Analytical Concordance to the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans, 1988.
(Ref BS 425 W48 1988).

Ellison, John W., comp. Nelson's Complete Concordance of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. New York: Nelson, [1957].
(Ref BS 425 E4 1957)

Strong, James. The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version for the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order;... . New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury, 1890, 1942.
(Ref BS 425 S8 1942)

Young, Robert. Analytical Concordance to the Bible. . . . 22nd American ed., rev. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans, 1970.
(BS 435 Y7 1970)

Atlases are valuable in Old Testament research to demonstrate the geographic situation and how it can pertain to the historical and religious climate. Generally, the noted atlases will include illustrations, charts, archeology matters, and a discussion of Old Testament Times.

Aharoni, Yohanan. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. 3rd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1993.
(Ref G 2230 A2 1993).

Covering the full time period of Biblical history this superb atlas has over 270 maps, many with very specific times and places. Brief commentary. A key to scripture references and a chronological table are appended.

Bahat, Dan. The Illustrated Atlas of Jerusalem. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.
(Ref G 2239 J4 B34 1990).

This atlas covers the complete history of Jerusalem as a city. Maps, illustrations, and drawings are provided. Comentary and a bibliography are included.

Grollenberg, Lucas H. Atlas of the Bible. London: Nelson, 1957.
(Ref BS 620 G752)

Scholarly approach with a chronological arrangement. Many illustrations.

May, Herbert G. Oxford Bible Atlas. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford U, 1974.
(Ref BS 630 M35 1974)

Less detailed than our other Bible atlases.

Negeman, Jan H. New Atlas of the Bible. Garden City, NJ: Doubleday, 1969.
(Oversize BS 621 N4413 1969b)

Although not strictly an atlas, this work is generally placed in the atlas section. This looks more at the development of the Biblical text and less at geographic topics.

Pritchard, James B., ed. The Harper Atlas of the Bible. New York: Harper & Row, 1987.
(Ref G2230 H47 1987)

The best current Biblical atlas. Comprehensive coverage with all illustrations and maps in color.

Wright, George E., ed. The Westminster Historical Atlas to the Bible. rev. ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, [1956].
(Ref BS 630 W7 1956)

An outstanding atlas. Scholarly. Somewhat dated compared to the Harper Atlas (noted above).

Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1989.
(Ref BS 630 R37 1989).

In addition to historical maps this atlas features a major section on geographical imagery. Illustrated, with commentary, throughout. Appendices contain a bibliography, index of footnotes, a gazetteer, historical timeline, and an index of scriptural references.

The Old Testament has a number of individuals that are well known, and written about, e.g. David and Moses. Information on people can be located in a number of places, including books, commentaries, journal articles, and Biblical dictionaries and encyclopedias. The following listed titles are reference sources providing brief, and quick, biographical information. Click on Biography Index (VIVA) which is an index covering all times periods.

Alexander, George M. The Handbook of Biblical Personalities. Greenwich, CN: Seabury, 1962.
(Ref BS 570 A55)

Brief entries. Notes key scriptures connected with the individual.

Comay, Jean. Who's Who in the Old Testament, Together with the Apocrypha. New York: Holt, Reinhart and Winston, [1971].
(Ref BS 570 C64)

Three very different titles are given in this section. The first title reproduces medieval miniature paintings. The second book is an anthology of paintings, music, stories, etc. built around various Old Testament themes. The final entry, by a leading Old Testament scholar, furnishes comprehensive coverage of illustrations throughout the Old Testament world.

Cockerell, Sydney C. Old Testament Miniatures: A Medieval Picture Book with 283 Paintings from the Creation to the Story of David. New York: G. Braziller, [1969].
(Oversize ND 3356 B6 1969)

Maus, Cynthia P., comp. The Old Testament and the Fine Arts an Anthology of Pictures, Poetry, Music and Stories Covering the Old Testament. New York: Harper, [1954].
(BS 1197 M35)

Pritchard, James B. The Ancient Near East in Pictures Relating to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. with supp. Princeton, NJ: Princeton U, 1969.
(BS 1180 P826 1969)

In addition to the three titles listed here, some of Carrier Library's collection of general quotation books will contain selections from the Old Testament. For assistance with this, check with a reference librarian.

Bratcher, Robert G. Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament. rev. ed. London: United States Bible Societies, [1967].
(BS 2387 B66 1967)

Miner, Margaret. A Dictionary of Quotations from the Bible. New York: New American Library, 1988.
(Ref BS 432 B442 1988).

Arranged alphabetically by topic. In each topic key scriptures are listed.

Stevenson, Burton E. The Home Book of Bible Quotations. New York: Harper, [1949].
(Ref BS 432 S667)

Use Dissertation Abstracts to locate American dissertations on Old Testament research from 1861 to the present. Dissertations can be valuable in advanced research, especially for their extensive bibliographies and use of primary sources.

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Indexes/Abstracts

Carrier Library has a number of indexing titles which include Old Testament topics. Both scholarly and general articles are included in this section. An attempt has been made to include indexes whose main emphasis is not on Old Testament studies, e.g. several music and art indexes.

Art Index. 1983- . 1929- . as a print title.

ATLA Religion Index. 1949- .

Essay and General Literature Index. 1985- . 1900- as a print index.

Humanities Index. 1984- . 1974-1993 as a print index.

Music Index. 1949- . print index.

Nineteenth Century Readers' Guide. 1890-1899. print index.

Philosopher's Index. 1967- .

Poole's Index to Periodical Literature. 1802-1906. print index.

RILA. 1975- .

RILM Abstracts of Music Literature. 1967- .

Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature. 1900-1993. print index.

Social Sciences and Humanities Index. 1965-1974. print index.

Social Sciences Citation Index. 1976-1994. print index.

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Periodicals

The following journal titles are representative of Carrier Library holdings on the Old Testament. Because Old Testament articles can be located in many journal sources, the researcher should habitually use an index or abstract. Scholarly articles commonly include footnotes and/or a bibliography of additional sources.

Biblical Archaeology Review. 1993- .
Interpretation. 1974- .
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament. 1992- .
Journal of Biblical Literature. 1972- .
Journal of Religion. 1921- .
Religious Studies Review. 1977- .

This is basically a book review source. It also contains essays on religious topics. Old Testament topics and books are included.

Theology Today. 1970- .
Union Seminary Quarterly Review. 1971- .

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Electronic Text Sources

ATLA Religion Database
Electronic Text

This is the major computer database to Old Testament research. Coverage is generally 1949 to date with journal articles, essays in books, and books indexed.

WorldCat (VIVA)
Electronic Text

This database is the catalog holdings of most American libraries. It contains over 47 million titles. An excellent source to locate published works on the Old Testament.

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This page is maintained by: millergw@jmu.edu
Last reviewed: January 2004
© James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA