Understanding the Land of the Bible

by O. Palmer Robertson

Publisher:

P&R

, 1996

Overview

Surveys the mountains, plains, valleys, rivers, and cities of Scripture and their significance for our understanding of biblical history and redemption.

Part introduction, part survey, and part atlas, Understanding the Land of the Bible provides a valuable survey of the land of the Bible and its theological relevance for exegesis, interpretation, and the flow of Scripture.

Key Features

• Examines the geography of the Bible lands across multiple historical periods
• Thoughful analysis of varying Christian views of Israel throughout history
• Practical organization

Contents

• Part One: An Overview of the Land
  • The Land as a Whole
  • The Land from West to East
  • The Land from South to North
• Part Two: Specifics of the Land
  • Mountains and Rivers
  • Climate and Vegetation
  • Towns and Cities in the Days of the Patriarchs
  • Towns and Cities During the Conquest and the Period of the Judges
  • Towns and Cities During the United and Divided Monarchies
  • The Land of the Bible in the Age of the New Covenant
• Part Three: Contrasting Perspectives on the Land
  • Five Perspectives on the Land

Top Highlights

“The wadi can also serve as a positive image of God’s blessings. For as streams (wadis) rush into the desert, so God’s blessings come unexpectedly to refresh the weary soul (Ps. 126:4). Those who are overwhelmed with a sense of the barrenness of life can look for refreshment from the Lord at the most unsuspecting moments, just as the waters of the wadi surprise the barren wilderness.” (Page 46)

“The girth of this, the most significant land in the history of the world, is no more than eighty miles across as the traveler journeys from the Mediterranean coast through Jerusalem to the Transjordan desert.” (Pages 15–16)

“Compacted into a territory no more than fifty miles wide and 150 miles long are mountain peaks snowcapped year-round and a depression so deep that it holds the distinction of being the lowest place on earth. To the west of this land are the shores of the Mediterranean, and to the east the desert of Arabia. Fertile valleys of Galilee contrast with stark mountainous terrain in the Negev.” (Pages 5–6)

“This land was made for Jesus Christ. All its diversity was designed to serve him.” (Page 109)

“Ironically, in attempting to keep the gospel of repentance and faith from the heathen Ninevites as a way of protecting the favored position of Israel, Jonah became God’s instrument of spreading the good news to the ‘ends of the earth’ through the on-board conversion of the heathen sailors as they made their way to Tarshish.” (Page 16)

Endorsements

Understanding the Land of the Bible, written by one of the finest, most trustworthy scholars of the Old Testament living today, is the best short introduction to the subject of which I am aware. . . . exactly what pastors, seminarians, and Bible college students have long been looking for.

—Robert L. Reymond, former professor at Covenant Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary

. . . a much needed tool for digging into the Bible. Robertson shows that the study of geography is not drudgery in a dusty desert but a refreshing oasis of theological insight.

—Mark D. Futato, professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary

Understanding the Land of the Bible is a guide to biblical Isreal and much more. It not only informs the reader about the cities, rivers, mountains, and climate of the land, but it does so while insightfully pointing out their biblical-theological significance. Find out about the setting for God’s great redemptive acts.

—Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College

Product Details

• Title: Understanding the Land of the Bible: A Biblical-Theological Guide
• Author: O. Palmer Robertson
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 1996
• Logos Release Date: 2018
• Pages: 168
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Geography; Palestine › Historical geography
• ISBNs: 0875523994, 9780875523996
• Resource ID: LLS:NDRSTNDNGLNDBBL
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:45:59Z

About O. Palmer Robertson

O. Palmer Robertson gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary and his Master's and Doctorate from Union Theological Seminary, Virginia. Dr. Robertson was active in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in America and has worked in various church ministries as well as seminary teaching. He has numerous books in print, including Psalms in Congregational Celebration. He is a frequent lecturer and conference speaker in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.