The Student Bible Atlas

Tim Dowley

• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781506400105
• eBook ISBN: 9781506400501
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Reference

For more than twenty-five years, The Student Bible Atlas has been a trusted companion for Bible students of all ages and interests. Clear, concise, colorful, and priced for any budget, there are nearly 100, 000 copies in print! All of the best features of The Student Bible Atlas are retained in this beautiful new edition. The table of contents remains the same, as does the tone and content. The layout, however, is beautifuly redone, with new maps that convey essential information in a crisp, up-to-date way. It's a great atlas, now made even better! The Student Bible Atlas contains thirty maps covering both Old and New Testaments, a helpful index of place names, and a guide to the major archeology sites of the Middle East. The Bible is full of places and journeys: Abraham's epic journey from Ur to the land of Canaan; the Hebrews' journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land; Paul's pioneering series of missionary travels. All these and many more are covered in this invaluable and readily accessible Bible companion.

MAP 1

Lands of the Bible

Palestine—at the cross-roads of the ancient world, fought over countless times across the centuries—lies at the western end of the Fertile Crescent. This great arc of low-lying, wellwatered, cultivatable land stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Nile Delta. Mesopotamia, ‘the land between the rivers’, makes up a large part of the Crescent, and was one of the cradles of civilization.

MAP 2

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Abraham made an epic journey from the city of Ur, in Babylonia, across the Fertile Crescent to Haran, and then on to the land of Canaan. He also traveled to Egypt during a time of famine.

Genesis 11:31–13:18

MAP 4

The Exodus

Abraham’s descendants, the Hebrews, remained in Egypt for some 400 years, becoming enslaved by the Egyptians. Finally, after a series of terrible plagues, Moses led them out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and into the desert. We cannot be sure which route they took; the map shows the traditional route and two alternatives. (They would not have taken the direct, coastal route, since it was guarded.) At Mt Sinai Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Exodus, Numbers

MAP 6

Israel Enters Canaan

Although Moses brought his people to the borders of Canaan, it was Joshua who led them into the land. Canaan was occupied by many small kingdoms and fortified towns. The Israelites first took Jericho, then moved south and north, only gradually gaining the upper hand. But the Philistines still held five key cities; and many Canaanite cities remained unconquered.

Joshua 1–11

MAP 7

Dividing the Land

Once the Israelites had entered Canaan, each tribe was given an area in which to settle, mostly west of the river Jordan. The tribe of Levi was given no land, but had certain towns to live in. Six ‘cities of refuge’ were also named. After the death of Joshua, ‘Judges’ such as Ehud, Gideon, and Samson led the Israelites against the Philistines and other enemies.

Joshua 13–21; Judges

MAP 8

The Kingdom of Saul

Since the Philistines posed a constant threat, the Israelites demanded a king to lead them, like the nations around them. The last Judge, Samuel, anointed Saul their king. Saul, a fine warrior, held back challenges from the Ammonites to the east and the Philistines in the west until he was defeated and killed at Mt Gilboa.

1 Samuel 9–31

MAP 9

The United Kingdom

Under King David and his son Solomon the kingdom prospered. David pushed back the frontiers to their furthest extent, conquering the Philistines, Moab, Edom, Ammon, and the northern states, and leaving Solomon a peaceful and secure inheritance. David made Jerusalem the nation’s capital; Solomon extended the city and built the Temple there, and also engaged in extensive foreign trade.

2 Samuel; 1 Kings

MAP ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Map 1: Lands of the Bible
• Map 2: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Map 3: Abraham’s Family in Canaan
• Map 4: The Exodus; Map 5: Crossing Jordan
• Map 6: Israel Enters Canaan
• Map 7: Dividing the Land
• Map 8: The Kingdom of Saul
• Map 9: The United Kingdom
• Map 10: The Divided Kingdom
• Map 11: The Prophets
• Four Empires
• Paul’s Missionary Journeys
• Gazetteer