Resources From The Learning Bible

Bible Study Resources from The Learning Bible

Here are some resources to understand the background and context of the stories in the Bible. These articles are drawn from the American Bible Society's Learning Bible and will help you learn about the people, places, practices, culture, and beliefs in Biblical times.

Longer articles (reading time: 10 to 20 minutes each)

• How the Bible Came to Us
• What Books Belong in the Bible
• Translating the Bible
• Archeology and the Bible
• The Ancient World: Peoples, Powers, and Politics
• From Joshua to Exile: The People of Israel in the Promised Land
• After the Exile: God's People Return to Judea
• Jesus Christ in the New Testament
• Different Kinds of Literature in the Bible
• Prophets and Prophecy
• People of the Law: The Religion of Israel
• Trade and Travel
• The World of Jesus: Peoples, Powers, and Politics
• How People Made a Living in the Time of Jesus
• Religions and Philosophies in Bible Times
• Miracles, Magic, and Medicine
• The Gospels and Acts
• The New Testament
  

People and Nations

Mini articles (reading time: 2 to 5 minutes each)

• Abraham
• Adam
  
• Alexander the Great
• Clement of Rome
  
• David
• Elijah
• Enemies (The Wicked)
• The Epistle of Barnabas
  
• Foreigners (Aliens)
• Genealogies in the Bible
• Gentiles
• Hasmoneans (Maccabees)
  
• Herod the Great
• Heroines of the Jewish Scriptures
• Hezekiah
• Ignatius of Antioch
• Isaac
  
• Israel's Priests
• James Brother of Jesus
  
• John the Baptist
• Josiah
• Justin Martyr
  
• King of Egypt (Pharaoh)
  
• Mary Magdalene
  
• Moses
• Nebuchadnezzar 
• Nomads (Wandering Herders)
  
• Papias of Hierapolis
  
• Paul (Saul) of Tarsus
• Polycarp of Smyrna
  
• Pontius Pilate
• The Poor
• Shepherds
• Solomon
  
• Stoics
  

History and Culture

Mini articles (reading time: 2 to 5 minutes each)

• At the Market
• Agreements (Covenants)
• An Ancient Flood Story
• Autobiography in Sirach and the Bible
  
• Baptism
• Birthright
• Burial
• Church
• Circumcision
• The Council in Jerusalem
  
• Crucifixion
• Dates in B.C. and A.D. 
• Diaspora (The Dispersion)
• Disasters (Plagues) 
• Exile 
• Fish and Fishing
• Hanukkah 
• History Writing in Ancient Times
• Moneychanging in the Temple 
• Passover and the Festival of Thin Bread
• Pesach: The Feast of Unleavened Bread
  
• Prostitution in the Bible 
• Religion in the Roman World
  
• Romance Fiction in the Ancient World
  
• Roman Empire
• The Sacred Tent
  
• Shavuot: The Feast of Weeks
  
• Slaves and Servants in the Time of Jesus
  
• Sukkot: The Feast of Booths
  
• Synagogues 
• Temple Offerings
  

Geography

Mini articles (reading time: 2 to 5 minutes each)

• Alexandria
• Assyria
• Babylon
• Egypt
  
• Israel
  
• Jerusalem
• Land 
• Palestine
• Persia 
• Phoenicia
• Zion
  

Objects, Plants, and Animals

Mini articles (reading time: 2 to 5 minutes each)

• Bread
• Locusts
• The Sacred Chest
• Scrolls
  
• Water
• Wine

Ideas and Concepts

Mini articles (reading time: 2 to 5 minutes each)

• Acts of Mercy
• Angels
• Apocalyptic Writing
• Blessed (Happy)
  
• Blood
  
• Canaanite Gods and Goddesses
  
• Day of the Lord
• End Times
  
• Eternal Life
  
• Faith
• Fire
  
• God’s Saving Love (Salvation)
• Heaven
• Hell
• Holiness
  
• Holy Spirit
• Holy War (The Lord's Battles)
  
• Hope
  
• I Am
  
• Justice
  
• Kingship in Israel
  
• Law
  
• Lord (Title for Jesus)
• Lord (YHWH)
  
• Love
  
• Making Promises (Vows)
• Martyrdom
• Messiah (Chosen One)
• Names of God
  
• Paradise
  
• Parables (Stories)
• Peace
  
• Prayer
• Purity (Clean and Unclean)
  
• Redeemer (Redemption)
  
• Resurrection
• Satan
• Second Coming
• The Servant Songs in Isaiah
  
• Sin
• Son of God
• Son of Man
• Spiritual Gifts
• Stories (Parables)
• Ten Commandments
  
• Truth
• Wisdom
  

Charts

• Archaeological Ages
• Egyptian Dynasties
• Jacob's Children
• Jesus' Twelve Disciples
• The Judges of Israel
• Key Events in David's Life
• Kinds of Proverbs
• Leaders of House Churches in the New Testament
• The Miracles of Jesus
• Numbers in the Bible
• People of Faith Mentioned in Hebrews 11
• Sacrifices and Offerings
• Some Well-Known Miracles of Jesus
• Spices and Perfumes
• Ways of Remembering the Past in Words
• Weights and Measures in Ancient Israel