Yale University Divinity School Library LibGuides - Biblical Studies Guide

Atlases

Oxford Bible atlas - edited by Adrian Curtis
Call Number: BS630 M35 2007 (Trowbridge Reference Room)
This is an historical atlas that is based both on the Biblical text and on the findings of modern archaeological knowledge. Maps are accompanied by texts that explicate the biblical context of the map. This is a fairly small atlas: there are 29 maps in all, and all but 4 are in full color. They are fully gridded with fairly readable print that is quite small. Uncertain locations are marked with a question mark. In addition to sections on the geography of Palestine and biblical lands, there is a basic history of Bible times which is keyed to the biblical text. There is also an introductory essay on “Israel and the Nations” and concluding essay on “Archaeology and the Bible”. A list of sources for the illustrations is provided. The illustrations are all in black and white. Gazetteer indicates the map location and also the reference in biblical text. This is a helpful resource for the student of Biblical studies.
The Carta Bible atlas - Yohanan Aharoni
Call Number: G2230 .A2 2002 Oversize (Marvin H. Pope Seminar Room)
This atlas’ stated purpose is “to show, as far as possible through maps of each event, the changes and historical processes in the lands of the Bible.” There are over 200 maps, which are based on the ancient written sources, the physical environment, and the data retrieved from archaeological research. Texts accompanying the maps explicate the historical context. Included as well is a detailed chronological table. Two indexes are provided, an index to place names and an index to personal names. A key indicating which maps correspond to specific books of the Bible is also provided.
The Holy Land satellite atlas - Richard Cleave
Call Number: G2236.S1 C5 1994 folio (Marvin H. Pope Seminar Room)
This is a 2 volume atlas consisting mainly of detailed maps showing topography using photographs and satellite cartography. The goal of this work is “to enable interested students to acquire a long-lasting visual familiarity with all the major Biblical sites and geographical features in the Holy Land, to provide a proper understanding of the overall context, for us in other related Bible courses.” The maps were created using both satellite imagery, which shows the terrain but not the elevation, and layer-tint imagery, in which color represents altitude but not terrain. Satellite imagery maps emphasize the present configuration of the area; layer-tint allows the map to show ancient elements unobscured by modern elements. Two periods are covered: Period A, covering “Beginnings to Ezra-Nehemiah” and Period B, covering “Ezra-Nehemiah to Justinian”. Period A maps are depicted using the layer-tint method, and Period B maps use satellite imagery alone. Both volumes have numerous photographic illustrations, although Volume 2 has more photographs by the author of the landscape. There is also a fair amount of text describing the historical background of the locations pointed to on the maps. It’s hard to assess the adequacy of this resource, not having any expertise in cartology or in maps of the Bible. But it appears to be a useful and interesting resource for Biblical studies.
The Macmillan Bible atlas - Yohanan Aharoni and Michael Avi-Yonah
Call Number: G2230 A2 1993 Folio (Trowbridge Reference Room)
The Harper concise atlas of the Bible - edited by James B. Pritchard
Call Number: G2230 H48 1991 Folio (Trowbridge Reference Room)