John D. Currid

Discover the book of Joshua's significance for believers today In this new contribution to the Pillar Old Testament commentary series, John D. Currid illuminates the book of Joshua by examining its historical, archaeological, and theological significance. Rather than treating Joshua as an isolated narrative, Currid shows how the book fits into God's unfolding redemptive plan and connects to the broader biblical story. The commentary features Currid's own translation of the Hebrew text. His careful attention to exegetical detail gives preachers a solid foundation for their exposition. He also provides a helpful structure for understanding the book's narrative arc, using descriptive section headings-- "Crossing," "Seizing," "Dividing," and "Serving"--to show how the actions of Joshua and the people of Israel unfold across the book's chapters. Most importantly, Currid consistently shows how the biblical text applies to believers today. In these pages, pastors and teachers will find the guidance they need for connecting the book's key themes--God's sovereignty, provision, covenant, and more--to Christian discipleship and the life of the church.

Did the Old Testament writers borrow ideas from their pagan neighbors? And if they did, was it done uncritically? A respected Old Testament scholar and archaeologist engages with this controversial question by carefully comparing the biblical text to other ancient Near Eastern documents. Well-researched and thoughtfully nuanced, Currid aims to outline the precise relationship between the biblical worldview and that of Israel’s neighbors.

Capitalizing on recent advances in satellite imaging and geographic information systems, the Crossway ESV Bible Atlas offers Bible readers a comprehensive, up-to-date resource that blends technical sophistication with readability, visual appeal, and historical and biblical accuracy. All the key methods of presenting Bible geography and history are here, including more than 175 full-color maps, 70 photographs, 3-D re-creations of biblical objects and sites, indexes, timelines, and 65,000 words of narrative description. The atlas uniquely features regional maps detailing biblically significant areas such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Italy, and Greece. It also includes access to online maps and illustrations. This carefully crafted reference tool not only sets a new standard in Bible atlases but will help ESV readers more clearly understand the world of the Bible and the meaning of Scripture.

Many people today are familiar with archaeolognical undertakings in the land of the Bible and the fascinating objects that have been discovered. However, the process of archaeology is generally not well understood. How do excavators know where to dig? How do they identify what they've found? John Currid provides many answers in this basic guide to Palestinian archaeology. Currid, a field archaeologist and Old Testament scholar, surveys the history of archaeological work in the Holy Land and the development of excavation methodology. He highlights pioneering individuals and their contributions, and explains the purposes of topographical survey, site identification, digging techniques, and find analysis. Utilizing the book's practical outline of archaeological investigation, the final chapter describes the site identification, history of excavation, and finds at et-Tell (Bethsaida). Complete with color photographs, line drawings, and sidebars, Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible offers a concise introduction to Palestinian archaeology useful for college classes, study groups, and excavation teams.

Foreword by Kenneth A. Kitchen The role of Egypt in the Old Testament, particularly the Pentateuch, is a significant one. John Currid's in-depth study of that role sheds valuable light on this important aspect of Israel's history and Scriptures. Currid observes that more biblical scholars today are returning to the study of Egypt and its texts. "My hope," he writes, "is that this volume will add to the growing interest in and understanding of the Egyptian connections with the Old Testament." After surveying the scholarly interest in Egypt and the Bible and highlighting the uniqueness of the Hebrew worldview, Currid proceeds through the Old Testament canonically, showing Egyptian influences throughout. He explores the creation story, Joseph narrative, Serpent confrontation, ten plagues, route of the Exodus, Solomon's contacts with Egypt, the relationship of Hebrew poetry to Egyptian wisdom literature, and the links between Hebrew prophecy and Egyptian magic and soothsaying. The result is an enlightening guide to Egyptian influences on Israelite history. This valuable study offers the most up-to-date information on archaeological discoveries and includes Currid's original translation of Egyptian hieroglyphics. Photographs, indexes, and a bibliography enhance the study. Kenneth Kitchen writes in the foreword: ""In the increasingly erratic world of Old Testament studies, where there is still too often a stubborn refusal to pay proper attention to the firm factual framework of reference that the ancient Near Eastern world offers us in assessing the nature and worth of the biblical writings, Currid's well-documented book is a breath of fresh air and represents a valuable contribution."" Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament will serve as a text in courses on archaeology and the Old Testament, Old Testament history, and Old Testament backgrounds."