At long last, Eerdmans’ Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (TDOT) is coming to Logos! All 15 Hebrew volumes of this go-to Old Testament resource are available on Pre-Pub for $399.99.
As the series has developed over the years, TDOT has taken its place among the elite of Old Testament reference works. Boasting a library’s worth of vital information on over 1,100 key terms in the Hebrew Bible, TDOT is a must have resource for any Old Testament student.
Here are four reasons your Logos library won’t be complete without TDOT:
1) The focus on a field of meaning: If we look up שָׁכַר (šākar) in TDOT, we find that the root škr means to become intoxicated, or intoxicating drink. But the article doesn’t stop there. Because TDOT focuses on word groups, we also get analysis of the “lexical field” for “drink” that gives you information about linguistically related words and other words for drink. This grants us insight into how drink (škr) is pejorative and emphasizes the result of excessive consumption.
2) Insight into historical context: Continuing down the article for šākar, we find the latest archaeological and anthropological evidence relevant to intoxicating drink in the ancient Near Eastern world. We discover the prehistoric roots of alcohol production and the ubiquitous presence of strong drink in the biblical world.
3) Insight into theological context: After we see—with šākar for example—how strong drink is characterized in a secular historical context, we then get in-depth analysis of its theological significance. We see how sobriety is required of those who approach Yahweh, survey negative attitudes toward alcohol in the Bible, and examine how drunkenness is used in illustrations of God’s judgment—how his people stagger like drunkards in his absence (Job 12:25), how the singing of drunkards is stilled (Isaiah 24:9), and how some must drink the cup of his wrath (Jeremiah 25:27–28).
The Drunkenness of Noah from the Sistine Chapel ceiling
4) It’s not just for experts: TDOT serves a broad audience. Transliterated script, definitions of all foreign words used in articles, and English versification make it easy for any earnest Bible student to follow along and tap into the well of theological insight in this monumental work. (But experts need not worry—TDOT does all of this without sacrificing the needs of the advanced Hebrew scholar.)
The Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament is sure to become an essential part of countless digital libraries. It draws on the latest developments in archaeology and linguistics to unearth the complete context of each term, and employs form-critical and traditio-historical methods to illuminate theological significance. This is combined with a design that is friendly to the novice and effective for the expert.
TDOT is available on Pre-Pub for 64% off the print edition’s price. Don’t miss this great deal on an even better product. Pre-order today!
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