BOOK NOTICES

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 31, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 13.

A Standard Bible Dictionary. Edited by Melancthon W. Jacobus, D.D., Edward E. Nourse, D.D., and Andrew C. Zenos, D.D. One large Quarto Volume, 9,000 Titles; over 900 pages; 300 illustrations; numerous colored maps prepared for this work. Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York and London.

This is a Bible dictionary, like the Standard English Dictionaries, along entirely new lines. The publishers have done the best they could. They have employed high talent and educated men in the production of the work, and have spared no pains or expense in its production. Some of its excellent features are as follows:

1. Intelligibility; conveying the information as directly and simply as possible. It is designed for all classes, from the learned theologian to the general Bible reader.

2. The Hebrew and Greek proper names are given, transliterated into English, and whenever possible translated, together with pronunciation. This literal definition idea extends to words in common use.

3. The American Standard Revised Version is taken as the standard English text, altho some of the contributors use both the R.V. and A.V.

4. The order in the treatment of names is clear and logical; for instance, Jezreel stands for two cities, for the name of a valley, the name of a person, as a symbol. All these meanings are clearly noted.

5. The subjects treated are very comprehensive and concise. There are many helpful cross references. Tho a term may be treated in a class, yet individual reference is made to that class or heading. Thus, “Ephah, a measure. See weights and measures.”

6. The source and meaning of all Bible proper names are given, and accord with the latest data.

7. Bible names variously spelled are found in their regular place in the vocabulary, but the reference is to the spelling adopted by the American Standard Revised Version.

8. Special attention has been given to the latest determinations in the geography and topography of the Holy Land.

9. Attention has been paid to Biblical Archeology.

10. Excellent work has been done in typography and maps. Long articles have analysis of contents at the beginning, with numbers corresponding to subdivisions of article.

The critical position of the dictionary is considered moderately conservative, “liberal, but not radical,” as compared with another extremely liberal work just published. But it shows a long, long drift from the orthodoxy of the past. In many of its articles on theology it would have been counted twenty years ago frankly infidel. These articles are signed, for the dictionary is a work of many men. As a real dictionary, it is an admirable work; but for a theological guide we advise our readers to go to the Bible. Get the meaning of words and terms; find the location of towns, countries, mountains, etc.,—you can get no better help,—but for the doctrines, the teachings of the prophets, the apostles, the Author of the Bible, learn from the Bible itself. Great learning may walk over profound truths unheeding, while a little child may perceive them.