SBS International

• Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Set of 28 Books) by D.J. Wiseman [IVP Academic - June 1991]
  • Each volume covers themes and questions about each book and possible interpretations.
• Tyndale New Testament Commentaries by R. T. France, R. Alan Cole, Leon Morris, and Colin G. Kruse [IVP Academic - January 2007]
  • Each volume covers themes and questions about each book and possible interpretations.
• The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas [InterVarsity Press - November 2000]
  • Provides historical information on the books of the Old Testament.
• The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig S. Keener [InterVarsity Press - February 1994]
  • A verse by verse aid in providing the cultural background of what you are reading.
• How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman [InterVarsity Press - June 1988]
  
  • Times of reflection and suggested exercises help bridge the gap between the writers of the psalms and their imagery and today.

Maps, Charts:

• The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands by Barry Beitzel [Moody Publishers - October 15, 1985]
  • Text and maps combine to make this atlas a great reference tool for your library.
• Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts: All the Visual Bible Study Aids and Helps in One Key Resource-Fully Reproducible by Nelson Reference [Thomas Nelson - September 4, 1999]
  • A resource full of visual aids which can be reproduced for classroom use.

Dictionaries, Concordance, References:

• Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible by James Strong [Hendrickson Publishers; Har/Cdr Up edition - June 30, 2007]
  • Need help finding a word or verse in scripture? What does the word mean in Greek or Hebrew? This concordance is one of the most used reference tools for the KJV.
• The Complete Wordstudy New Testament With Greek Parallel by Spiros Zodhiates [AMG Publishers - September 1992]
  • Text is KJV. A handy book to have in your reference library.
• The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament by Warren Baker and Gene Carpenter [AMG Publishers - October 2003]
  • Simple and concise.
• Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Completely Revised and Updated Edition by Ronald F. Youngblood [Thomas Nelson - August 25, 1995]
  • A comprehensive dictionary with maps, photographs and pronunciation guides.
• Vine's Expository Dictionary of the Old & New Testament Words by W. E. Vine [Nelson's Publlishing]
  
  • Help in understanding word, context and where they come from.
• Dictionary of New Testament Background (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter [InterVarsity Press - November 2000]
  • Excellent research tool in understand historical background.
• Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Joel B Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall [InterVarsity Press - January 1992]
  • A comprehensive look at Jesus and the Gospels.
• Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids [InterVarsity Press - December 1997]
  • Focuses on Acts, Hebrews, the Epistles, Revelation, the Church Fathers and Christianity up through the middle of the second century.
• Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by David W. Baker and T. Desmond Alexander [InterVarsity Press - January 2003]
  • Overviews and insights into the Old Testament times of the Pentateuch
• Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson [InterVarsity Press - December 2005]
  • A thorough look at background for the historical books.
• Evangelical Dictionary of Theology by Walter A. Elwell [Baker Academic; 2 edition - May 1, 2001]
  • Covers systematic, historical and philosophical theology.
• Dictionary of Biblical Imagery by Leland Ryken, Jim Wilhoit, Tremper Longman, and Colin Duriez [InterVarsity Press - November 1998]
  • Explores the images, symbols, motifs, and metaphors of the Bible

Hard Sayings, Figures of Speech:

• Figures of Speech Used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated by E. W. Bullinger [Baker Books - April 1, 2003]
  • A valuable reference tool in understanding and explaining the different figures of speech used in nearly 8.000 passages throughout the Bible.
• Hard Sayings of the Bible by Peter H. Davids, Frederick Fyvie Bruce, Manfred T. Brauch, and Walter C. Kaiser [InterVarsity Press; Subsequent edition - October 1996]
  • Historical, cultural, and linguistic background helps provide good references for those difficult verses.

Historical Background:

• The New Manners & Customs of Bible Times by Ralph Gower [Moody Publishers - October 12, 2005]
  • Maps, photographs, charts and diagrams help bring to life the cultural aspect of the Bible.
• New Testament History by F.F. Bruce [Galilee / Doubleday - March 15, 1983]
  • Jesus and the history of two generations of Christians.
• The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity by James S. Jeffers [InterVarsity Press - October 1999]
  • Well written, this book will help you gain insight into what life was like for Christians in the 1st century.
• Josephus: The Essential Writings by Flavius Josephus and Paul L. Maier [Kregel Academic & Professional - July 12, 1990]
  • Maier translates and condenses Josephus into an easy to read format.
• Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius Pamphilus and C. F. Cruse [Hendrickson Publishers; Updated edition - October 1, 1998]
  • Named the "Father of Church History", Eusebius transcribed vital facts and information of the Christian Church in the first 3 centuries.
• A Survey of Israel's History by Leon J. Wood [Zondervan; Rev Sub edition - October 11, 1986]
  • Looks at the history of God's chosen people. Map, charts and diagrams included.