Handbook for Bible Students

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PUBLISHERS’ PREFACE

The “Bible Handbook” is a companion volume to the “Source Book for Bible Students.” Indeed, the two might well have been combined in one had there not been an insistent demand for a book of convenient size for pulpit or desk use, and for easy carriage. Each of these books is complete in itself, but like a dictionary or an encyclopedia, one does not render the other less, but rather more, useful. Much of this matter is from sources not generally available, and all of it represents wide reading and much patient study and research. HBS 3.1

As the work of preparing the “Source Book” advanced, it was found that there was much more source-matter of the greatest value in hand than could be used in a single volume of reasonable size. In the “Source Book” many brief, valuable excerpts from the most reliable sources, covering a wide range of subjects, are made available; but it was found to be impossible to do justice in a single small volume to such subjects as chronology, the canon of Scripture, Bible versions, the development of Bible doctrine, religious denominations, the church councils, genealogy, Babylon, ancient and modern, etc. It was decided, therefore, to have two books, making accessible as many of these quotations as possible in the “Bible Handbook.” HBS 3.2

This matter had been collected not only by our editors working actively for fully ten years, but by other men also during many more years of careful reading and patient research; and they were willing to give to readers everywhere, for the mere taking, what they themselves had gathered at no small expense in both time and money. HBS 3.3

In studying any given topic, almost any one frequently feels the need of a wider knowledge than is made possible by brief definitions and condensed statements. Those who use the “Source Book” will at times wish for something more, to give them a broader grasp of the questions there briefly treated. Such help they will find on many subjects in the “Handbook.” HBS 3.4

The same alphabetical arrangement found so satisfactory in the “Source Book” has been followed in this companion volume, and the same care has been exercised in selecting, verifying, and reproducing. The references given are in every case as full as could be desired, while the information furnished as to authors quoted, publishers of books, etc., will, we believe, be found ample for all practical purposes. HBS 3.5

A complete index makes it easy not only to turn readily to any subject, but to find at once any particular subdivision of any subject. As in the “Source Book,” the list of “Authorities Cited” is a very helpful feature. HBS 3.6

That the “Bible Handbook” may be found all that we have endeavored to make it, is the hope of
THE PUBLISHERS. HBS 3.7