Research Guides: Ancient Israel: Encyclopedias

Recommended Encyclopedias for the ancient & biblical World

Some of the titles are available online, but others are not. Book title in blue means it's electronically available. Book title in black and a call number means it's still a print book and can only be accessed in Bobst Library.

Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Archaeology by Daniel Master (Editor)
ISBN: 9780199846535
Publication Date: 2013
The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Ancient Israel by Susan Niditch (Editor)
ISBN: 9781118774021
Publication Date: 2015-10-14

Anchor Bible Dictionary
Call Number: NYU Bobst / 9th Floor Reference BS440 .A54 1992 / Non-circulating
This is the standard tool for research on all aspects for the Bible and the biblical world; whether looking up a biblical book, or a plant, or a person, or a concept.
Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception (EBR)
Not yet complete - in progress
The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible by Coogan, Michael David
Call Number: NYU Bobst / 9th Floor Reference BS440 .O93 2011 Non-circulating v.1 & v. 2
Publication Date: 2011
Comprehensive coverage of the Books of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and Apocryphal Books.
The Wiley-Blackwell History of Jews and Judaism by Edited by Alan T Levenson
Publication Date: 2012
Provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the main periods and themes of Jewish history.
Chapters for the Biblical period are:
What is the Hebrew Bible?
How "Historical" is Ancient Israel?
Priests and Levites in the Hebrew Bible
How Unique was Israelite Prophecy?
Judaism after the Exile
Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls by Lawrence Schiffman
Civilizations of the Ancient Near East by Jack Sasson
Call Number: NYU Bobst / 9th Floor Reference DS57 .C55 1995 / Non-circulating
A wide range of topical essays covering every aspect of Near Eastern cultures. A good resource for comparative studies.
Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible (DDD)
Call Number: NYU Bobst / 9th Floor Reference BS680.G57 D53 1999 / Non-circulating
Substantial topical essays; for example, check out the entry on Asherah.
Gods, demons and symbols of ancient Mesopotamia: an illustrated dictionary
Call Number: NYU Bobst 9th Floor Reference (BL1620 .B62 1992 Non-circulating)

General Reference Collections

Titles are available online by clicking on the title link

Oxford Reference Online
Online access and cross-searching to Oxford Press encyclopedias, dictionaries, companions, etc.
CredoReference
This is a gateway to numerous resources, including Who's Who in Ancient Egypt; Who's Who in the Bible; Encyclopedia of African History; etc.

Some general Encyclopedias - but still useful

Both titles are available online by clicking on the title link:

Encyclopedia of Religion
While this resource goes beyond the biblical world, it still has relevant articles. For example, look at B. Levin's "Biblical Temple".

Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd edition, 2007.