What do you think?
Rate this book
Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible
The Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the most comprehensive Bible atlas available for personal and classroom study. It is designed for both quick reference and detailed study. The GEOGRAPHICAL SECTION presents the physical geography of the lands of the biblical world, from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Clear, detailed descriptions will give the reader a vivid picture of regions that are the backdrop of biblical history and that influenced, to a much greater degree than commonly understood, the course of that history. The Israel/Jordan region especially is discussed in depth. The Atlas divides the area into twenty-three natural regions and discusses physical features such as distances, topography, climate, natural lines of communication, soil types, agricultural uses, major sources of water, and role in biblical times. The reader can visualize the various regions with the help of 'block diagrams,' which provide a three-dimensional, bird's-eye view of each region. The HISTORICAL SECTION presents in detail the flow of biblical history in its geographical context and shows how geography influenced the course of biblical history. Each chapter in this section begins with a chronological chart for the period under discussion, allowing the reader to see at a glance how the history of Israel fit into the history of the Ancient Near East as a whole. A separate section on JERUSALEM traces the history and development of the city that is at the center of much of biblical history. A chapter on THE DISCIPLINES OF HISTORICAL GEOGRPAHY shows the reader how the actual sites of ancient cities are rediscovered -- an often complex process that stirs the imagination with the excitement of highly specialized detective work. An outstanding feature of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is the GAZETTEER. This is an exhaustive place-name index that gives the exact geographical location for each name with the pages and maps on which the name may be found in the Atlas. In addition it gives a brief biblical/historical summary for each name , with Scripture references, and the modern-day name in Hebrew and/or Arabic. Several appendixes add to the usefulness of the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible. - A two-page CHRONOLOGICAL CHART provides a quick overview of the history of the Ancient Near East. - A GLOSSARY of terms aids the reader in understanding the text without having to resort to dictionaries or encyclopedias. - A BIBLIOGRAPHY provides the reader with suggestions for further, in-depth reading of the study. - A SCRIPTURE INDEX and an INDEX OF PERSONS will aid especially the pastor and teacher. This is why the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible will become the standard by which serious students will measure other Bible atlases.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1989
106 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 16, 2026
Read part of it for Old Testament History II & Poetry (BE5103). Good resource on extra details to enhance your Biblical understanding and filled with maps that are really useful as well! Will go back to this as a resource.
July 27, 2010
"Zondervan Atlas of the Bible" is an excellent Bible atlas that also contains Bible background information. It was full of color photographs of the various regions so the reader could see what they look like (in modern times). There were also some pictures of the ruins of various cities. There were charts, timelines, and, of course, lots and lots of maps. Most of the maps had a 3D look to show the relative elevation and also showed the locations of cities, rivers, and known ancient international and intra-national roads. The maps in the Historical section also showed the movement of troops or people during the events mentioned in the Bible.
The first part covered elevation, cities, roads, and agricultural information (like what the terrain was like, rainfall, and what crops were grown in the region) for the various regions in Canaan as well as relevant areas of Egypt, Sinai, and Mesopotamia. It also covered how the Biblical feasts aligned with the planting/harvesting cycle for various crops, the months, and the rainy/dry seasons. It explained how the geography influenced Biblical events, which was very enlightening. It made the Bible "come alive." The text was concise and easy to understand. I plan on reading this part again because it had so much useful information.
The second part went through the historical narrative of the Bible, starting with Eden and ending with Revelation. Each historical section had a timeline at the start which showed Biblical events aligned with rulers in Syria/Mesopotamia and Egypt as well as what archaeological period it fell under. The author acknowledged that not everyone will agree with how he lined things up.
The text summarized the various Biblical events related to the maps and tied in archaeological findings (like if city remains were found for that time period or if archaeologists have uncovered non-Biblical records referring to those Biblical cities or kings). He also gave an international view of events by tying in information from Egypt and Mesopotamia records about various battles that affected Canaan/Israel as well.
For those who care, the author had Abraham entering Canaan in 2091 BC, which he said was in the middle of the Middle Bronze I period. He had Jacob and his family entering Egypt in 1876 BC, in Middle Bronze IIA, and during the Egyptian 12th Dynasty. He had the Exodus from Egypt in 1446 BC, during the Late Bronze I period, and during Thutmose III's reign in Egypt. He had Joshua beginning his conquest of Canaan in 1406 BC and near the end of the Late Bronze IIA period. He had Judges occurring during the Iron I period. And then he doesn't refer to the periods anymore.
I side with those who think the evidence strongly supports the scheme of: Joshua's conquest of Canaan brought about the start of Middle Bronze I and the Assyrian conquest of Israel and Babylonian conquest of Judah--and exile of much of their populations during each--explains the lack of population seen in Israel in the Late Bronze periods. So the archaeological tie-ins the author used weren't as useful for me since I had to put them into the context I use. Also, I agree with the group inspired by Immanuel Velikovsky and Donovan Courville that believe the alignment this author used for connecting Mesopotamia and Egyptian kings to the Biblical timeline is also off. So the timelines were useless for me.
The author tried to identify where the Garden of Eden was located on current geography, but he overlooks that a world-wide Flood would have wiped Eden off the map and re-arranged the geography. Trying to locate Eden based on a couple rivers named post-Flood after the Eden ones is futile.
But the maps and the geographical information related to the Biblical events were excellent and very useful to me. Overall, it's an excellent Altas with useful maps, and I learned a lot from it. I'd recommend it to those who want a large set of maps for Biblical events and who would like to learn more about how geography influenced Biblical events.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
The first part covered elevation, cities, roads, and agricultural information (like what the terrain was like, rainfall, and what crops were grown in the region) for the various regions in Canaan as well as relevant areas of Egypt, Sinai, and Mesopotamia. It also covered how the Biblical feasts aligned with the planting/harvesting cycle for various crops, the months, and the rainy/dry seasons. It explained how the geography influenced Biblical events, which was very enlightening. It made the Bible "come alive." The text was concise and easy to understand. I plan on reading this part again because it had so much useful information.
The second part went through the historical narrative of the Bible, starting with Eden and ending with Revelation. Each historical section had a timeline at the start which showed Biblical events aligned with rulers in Syria/Mesopotamia and Egypt as well as what archaeological period it fell under. The author acknowledged that not everyone will agree with how he lined things up.
The text summarized the various Biblical events related to the maps and tied in archaeological findings (like if city remains were found for that time period or if archaeologists have uncovered non-Biblical records referring to those Biblical cities or kings). He also gave an international view of events by tying in information from Egypt and Mesopotamia records about various battles that affected Canaan/Israel as well.
For those who care, the author had Abraham entering Canaan in 2091 BC, which he said was in the middle of the Middle Bronze I period. He had Jacob and his family entering Egypt in 1876 BC, in Middle Bronze IIA, and during the Egyptian 12th Dynasty. He had the Exodus from Egypt in 1446 BC, during the Late Bronze I period, and during Thutmose III's reign in Egypt. He had Joshua beginning his conquest of Canaan in 1406 BC and near the end of the Late Bronze IIA period. He had Judges occurring during the Iron I period. And then he doesn't refer to the periods anymore.
I side with those who think the evidence strongly supports the scheme of: Joshua's conquest of Canaan brought about the start of Middle Bronze I and the Assyrian conquest of Israel and Babylonian conquest of Judah--and exile of much of their populations during each--explains the lack of population seen in Israel in the Late Bronze periods. So the archaeological tie-ins the author used weren't as useful for me since I had to put them into the context I use. Also, I agree with the group inspired by Immanuel Velikovsky and Donovan Courville that believe the alignment this author used for connecting Mesopotamia and Egyptian kings to the Biblical timeline is also off. So the timelines were useless for me.
The author tried to identify where the Garden of Eden was located on current geography, but he overlooks that a world-wide Flood would have wiped Eden off the map and re-arranged the geography. Trying to locate Eden based on a couple rivers named post-Flood after the Eden ones is futile.
But the maps and the geographical information related to the Biblical events were excellent and very useful to me. Overall, it's an excellent Altas with useful maps, and I learned a lot from it. I'd recommend it to those who want a large set of maps for Biblical events and who would like to learn more about how geography influenced Biblical events.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
March 3, 2019
This is not just some Atlas. When I think of an atlas, I think of a collection of maps. The author has woven his extensive knowledge of archaeological research, of written history, and the maps of the region together to create a fascinating account of the Bible story.
For those having traveled or wanting to travel to and through Israel, I recommend this as a reference point for the sites you visit and the stories you hear from the travel guides. In my experience local tourist guides are often less authority and more hype than truth. The story that this book tells, based on verifiable evidence, should help you sort out the facts from the fiction.
I bought my copy used and continue to go back to it and enjoy the context provided by his research.
For those having traveled or wanting to travel to and through Israel, I recommend this as a reference point for the sites you visit and the stories you hear from the travel guides. In my experience local tourist guides are often less authority and more hype than truth. The story that this book tells, based on verifiable evidence, should help you sort out the facts from the fiction.
I bought my copy used and continue to go back to it and enjoy the context provided by his research.
June 28, 2023
Outstanding resource with excellent detail that will enhance your biblical / seminary study. I literally read my Bible now with this book open to the side. Yes, it slows you down as you're constantly stopping to look up a map or some detail(!) but it so enhances your knowledge of how authentic the biblical stories are (not that I had any doubts).
We went to Israel a decade ago, which forever changed my perspective as you could see the landscape and connect (e.g.) the Negev to Judea to Galilee to Caesarea Philippi. This book is the next closest thing I can think of to a trip to Israel (but still, go to Israel!).
We went to Israel a decade ago, which forever changed my perspective as you could see the landscape and connect (e.g.) the Negev to Judea to Galilee to Caesarea Philippi. This book is the next closest thing I can think of to a trip to Israel (but still, go to Israel!).
August 17, 2018
Well researched, great photos, used as reference for places traveled to in trip to Israel and Jordan.
September 2, 2018
Another great resource for a serious Bible student.
July 18, 2021
Great resource!
maps
October 11, 2024this will broaden one's knowledge of the overall picture we have of sacred Scripture. There are new found interests in maps which fully explain their directions as to inform us of the "big picture" which I must express over, and over. Lots of pictures of the holy land, time lines which are again very insightful as an overall view. There is found in this book insights to Scripture, and the holy land we never would have imagined. I strongly recommend this Bible Atlas to anyone, anyone interested in Bible facts.
March 2, 2017
My absolute favorite Bible atlas. As a Master's student of the Bible and theology, I needed a good atlas - and have read at least a dozen. This one is my favorite. Excellent information, laid out in a logical manner; glossy pages with good pictures of archaeological sites; well-written, packed with the facts we need in an informative manner; and of course, amazing maps which have assisted me dozens of times. Most highly recommended!
June 15, 2015
A scripture enriching, lifetime purchase.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews