NIV, First-Century Study Bible: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

NIV First-Century Study Bible

Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

With Notes by

KENT DOBSON

NIV First-Century Study Bible

Copyright © 2014 by Zondervan

All rights reserved

The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Published by Zondervan

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

www.zondervan.com

Articles, word studies and selected notes by Kent Dobson. Copyright © 2014 by Kent Dobson. All rights reserved.

Book introductions and selected notes adapted from the NIV Study Bible, copyright 1985, 2011 by Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Selected charts, maps, models and illustrations, copyright 1985, 2011 by Zondervan. All rights reserved.

The NIV Concordance copyright © 1982, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan. Maps by International Mapping. Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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eISBN: 9780310440161

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2014932316

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Table of Contents

How to Use This Bible

Maps Index

Charts Index

Models Index

Textual Articles Index

Day in the Life Articles Index

Word Studies Index

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

Foreword

A Note From the General Editor

Welcome to the NIV First-Century Study Bible

Preface

Abbreviations

Ancient Texts Relating to the Old Testament

Old Testament Chronology

OLD TESTAMENT

From Malachi to Christ

Between the Old and New Testaments

New Testament Chronology

NEW TESTAMENT

Four Gospels, One Jesus

Study Helps

Table of Weights and Measures

Endnotes

Bibliography

Topical Index to Articles

Glossary

Concordance

Index to Maps

Zondervan’s Full-Color Maps

Map 1: World of the Patriarchs

Map 2: Holy Land and Sinai

Map 3: Exodus and Conquest of Canaan

Map 4: Land of the Twelve Tribes

Map 5: Kingdom of David and Solomon

Map 6: Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Map 7: Prophets in Israel and Judah

Map 8: Assyrian and Babylonian Empires

Map 9: Holy Land in the Time of Jesus

Map 10: Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus

Map 11: Jesus’ Ministry

Map 12: Apostles’ Early Travel

Map 13: Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Map 14: Roman Empire

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50

Exodus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40

Leviticus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

Numbers

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

Deuteronomy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34

Joshua

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

Judges

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

Ruth

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

2 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

1 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

2 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

1 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

2 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

Ezra

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Nehemiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Esther

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Job

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42

Psalms

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 149 | 150

Proverbs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

Ecclesiastes

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Song of Songs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Isaiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66

Jeremiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52

Lamentations

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Ezekiel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48

Daniel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Hosea

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Joel

1 | 2 | 3

Amos

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Obadiah

1

Jonah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Micah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Nahum

1 | 2 | 3

Habakkuk

1 | 2 | 3

Zephaniah

1 | 2 | 3

Haggai

1 | 2

Zechariah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Malachi

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

Mark

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Luke

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

Acts

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

Romans

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

1 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

2 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Galatians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Ephesians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Philippians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Colossians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3

1 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

2 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Titus

1 | 2 | 3

Philemon

1

Hebrews

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

James

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1 Peter

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 Peter

1 | 2 | 3

1 John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 John

1

3 John

1

Jude

1

Revelation

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

How to Use This Bible

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How do I use the eBook Table of Contents?

*Important Note: Be sure to consult your device manufacturer’s User’s Guide for device-specific navigation instructions.*

The Table of Contents is the primary navigation anchor to quickly access various parts of the Bible and is generally formatted in the same order as the original print version and hyperlinked as follows:

• Front matter – Introductory articles

• Old Testament

• New Testament

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• Bible chapters

• Back matter – Supplementary materials

Old Testament and New Testament hyperlinks quickly access individual Bible books and chapters in each testament.

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Use the Table of Contents to navigate to specific Bible verses using one of the 2 methods below:

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The eBook version of the NIV First-Century Study Bible includes introductory articles, the complete Old and New Testament text, study notes (commentary), footnotes (translator’s notes), Textual Articles, Word Studies, Day in the Life articles, in-text charts, maps, models, and photos, Study Helps, and a color map set. Hyperlinks to the materials appear in the Table of Contents as well as the main Bible text.

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Study Notes (commentary) are hyperlinked to Bible verse numbers where study notes are available in the main Bible text. Some notes cover a range of verses while others are verse specific. All verses do not have notes associated with them.

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Maps Index

Genesis

Table of Nations

Abram’s Travels

Mesopotamia

Jacob’s Journeys

Egypt

Exodus

The Exodus

Numbers

Wilderness Wanderings

Cities of Refuge

Deuteronomy

The Five Major Longitudinal Zones of Israel

Agriculture in the Holy Land

Joshua

Conquest of Canaan

The Northern Campaign

Dividing the Land

Judges

The Judges of Israel

Five Cities of the Philistines

Gideon’s Battles

Ruth

The Book of Ruth

1 Samuel

Topographical Cross-Section: North-South

Topographical Cross-Section: West-East

Capture and Return of the Ark

David the Fugitive

Exploits of David

2 Samuel

The City of the Jebusites/David’s Jerusalem

David’s Conquests

1 Kings

Solomon’s Jerusalem

The Divided Kingdom

Lives of Elijah and Elisha

2 Kings

Assyrian Campaigns Against Israel and Judah

Exile of the Northern Kingdom

Nebuchadnezzar’s Campaigns Against Judah

Exile of the Southern Kingdom

2 Chronicles

David and Solomon’s Empire

Ezra

Return from Exile

Nehemiah

Jerusalem of the Returning Exiles

Esther

Persian Empire

Psalms

Cities and Regions in Psalm 60

Isaiah

Nations and Cities Mentioned in Isaiah

Jeremiah

Nations and Cities Under Judgment in Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Nations and Cities Under Judgment in Ezekiel

Boundaries of the Land in Ezekiel’s Vision

Daniel

The Neo-Babylonian Empire

Alexander’s Empire

Ptolemies and Seleucids

Hosea

Jerusalem During the Time of the Prophets

Amos

Nations and Cities Mentioned in Amos

Jonah

The Book of Jonah

Micah

Nations and Cities in Micah

Between the Testaments

Palestine of the Maccabees and Hasmonean Dynasty

Matthew

House of Herod

Jesus’ Early Life

Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

Mark

Jerusalem During the Ministry of Jesus

The Decapolis and the Lands Beyond the Jordan

The Territories of Tyre and Sidon

Passion Week

Luke

The Holy Land Under Herod the Great

John

Jesus in Judea and Samaria

Jesus in Galilee

Acts

Countries of People Mentioned at Pentecost

Philip’s and Peter’s Missionary Journeys

Roman Damascus

The Spread of the Gospel

Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Paul’s Journey to Rome

Between Acts and Romans

Rome in the Time of Paul

1 Corinthians

Corinth in the Time of Paul

Ephesians

Ephesus in the Time of Paul

Philippians

Philippi in the Time of Paul

Colossians

Letter to Colossae

1 Thessalonians

Letter to Thessalonica

1 Timothy

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey

Titus

Titus Ministered on the Island of Crete

Philemon

Philemon Was a Member of the Church in Colossae

1 Peter

Peter Wrote This Letter to Provinces in Asia Minor

Revelation

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Charts Index

Front Matter

Ancient Texts Relating to the Old Testament

Old Testament Chronology

Genesis

Major Covenants in the Old Testament

Major Types of Royal Covenants/Treaties in the Ancient Near East

Integrated Chronology of the Patriarchs

The Tribes of Israel

Exodus

Hebrew Calendar and Selected Events

Leviticus

Old Testament Sacrifices

Old Testament Festivals and Other Sacred Days

Numbers

Encampment of the Tribes of Israel

Deuteronomy

Major Social Concerns in the Covenant

1 Samuel

David’s Family Tree

1 Kings

Chronology of Foreign Kings

Rulers of the Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah

Ezra

Chronology: Ezra-Nehemiah

Psalms

The Design and Message of the Psalter

Messianic Psalms

Proverbs

The Wise Man According to Proverbs: An Outline

Isaiah

Quotations From and References to Isaiah 53 in the New Testament

Jeremiah

Chronology of Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Dates in Ezekiel

Daniel

Visions in Daniel

Ptolemies and Seleucids

Between the Testaments

From Malachi to Christ

The Maccabean/Hasmonean Period

New Testament Chronology

Matthew

Dating the Synoptic Gospels

House of Herod

Jewish Sects

The Life of Christ

Luke

Parables of Jesus

Resurrection Appearances

John

Miracles of Jesus

Between John and Acts

Major Archaeological Finds Relating to the New Testament

Acts

Timeline of Paul’s Life

1 Timothy

Qualifications for Elders/Overseers and Deacons

Hebrews

The Greater Thans in Hebrews

Models Index

Exodus

The Tabernacle

Tabernacle Furnishings

1 Kings

Solomon’s Temple

Temple Furnishings

Ezra

Zerubbabel’s Temple

Ezekiel

Ezekiel’s Temple

Matthew

Herod’s Temple

Luke

Capernaum Synagogue

Textual Articles Index

Genesis

Where Are You?

Desert Law

The Encounter at Night

Exodus

How Many Commandments?

Numbers

Wearing the Commandments

Deuteronomy

The Shema

The Oral Law

Did Moses Write the Torah?

Joshua

Joshua and the Ethics of War

Judges

The Spirit of YHWH

Ruth

Your God, My God

1 Samuel

Tearing the Robe

1 Kings

How Wise Was Solomon?

2 Kings

Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel

2 Chronicles

Children in the Fire

Nehemiah

Life in the Diaspora

Job

Wisdom Literature

Out of the Whirlwind

Psalms

What Is God’s Name?

The Shepherd God

David the Prophet

Proverbs

Proverbs: Formulas for Success?

Ecclesiastes

God in Ecclesiastes

Isaiah

A Shoot From Jesse

Voices Calling in the Wilderness

The Suffering Servant

Jeremiah

Den of Robbers

Weeping and Restoration

Ezekiel

Dry Bones: Resurrection or Restoration?

Daniel

Diviners in the Ancient World

Abomination That Causes Desolation

Hosea

To Those Called Not My People

Joel

Pour Out My Spirit

Amos

Sovereign

LORD

Micah

Micah’s Paradise

Nahum

The Greek Lions

Habakkuk

Prophecy Then and Now

Haggai

Wine Making

Malachi

The Messiah and Elijah

Between the Testaments

Between the Old and New Testaments

Four Gospels, One Jesus

Mark

Who Is Really Blind?

Was Jesus Really Hungry for Figs?

Acts

Paul’s Conversion

Conversion to Judaism

Romans

Who Were the Weak?

Galatians

Hagar and Sarah: An Allegory

Ephesians

What Is the Biblical View on Slavery?

1 Thessalonians

The Return of the Lord

1-2 Timothy and Titus

The Authorship of the Pastoral Letters

Hebrews

Psalms in Hebrews

James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John and Jude

The General Letters

Revelation

A Second Exodus

The Early Christian Period

Day in the Life Articles Index

Genesis

Desert Shepherds

Exodus

Midwives

Leviticus

Priests and Levites

Deuteronomy

Israelite Family (Children)

Ruth

Widows

1 Samuel

Slaves

2 Samuel

Israelite Soldiers

Proverbs

Israelite Family (Fathers and Mothers)

Jeremiah

Israelite Kings

Micah

Farmers

Matthew

Sadducees

Luke

Zealots

Essenes

John

Disciples

Galilean Fishermen

Philippians

Pharisees

Word Studies Index

Genesis

Spirit

LORD

God

Righteous

Blameless

Violence

Earth (land)

Blessing

Hebrew

God Most High

Sovereign

LORD

I am the

LORD

God who sees

God Almighty

Isaac

Prophet

Tamarisk

Virgin

To meditate

Red

Jacob

Place

Pillar

Silver

Ben-Oni

Benjamin

Ornate robe

Cloak/garment

Dungeon/pit

Honey

Sacrifices

Exodus

Labor

Leprous

Work harder

Bread made without yeast

Yeast

The

LORD

Unfailing love

Eagles

Thunder

Sanctuary

Tabernacle

Cherubim

Curtain

HOLY TO THE

LORD

Refreshed

Glory

Leviticus

Offering

Burnt offering

Anyone

Grain offering

Fellowship offering

Fat

Regulations

Holy

Fresh water

Day of Atonement

Tabernacles

The Name

Numbers

Foreigner

They prophesied

Joshua

Tassels

Corners

Scepter

Sabbath

New moon

Passover

Weeks

Trumpets

Deuteronomy

Law

Hear, O Israel

The

LORD

our God, the

LORD

is one

To fear the

LORD

Forbidden

Amen

return

Jeshurun

Joshua

Adoni-Zedek

Mound

The Mighty One, God, the

LORD

Judges

Baal . . . Ashtoreths

Judges/Judge

Samson

Wicked

Ruth

Wings

Woman of noble character

Guardian-redeemer

My friend

1 Samuel

Samuel

Philistines

Hebrews

Forehead

Stronghold

2 Samuel

The water shaft

Recorder

You are the man!

Solomon

The Rock

1 Kings

Take care

Zion

Dogs

Jezebel

Gentle whisper

2 Kings

Seah . . . Shekel

Official

Assembly

Underlings

Book of the Law

Food

1 Chronicles

Music

Gatekeeper

Mighty warriors

Cedar

2 Chronicles

Wisdom

Jakin . . . Boaz

Chest

Ezra

Darics

Taxes

Weeping

Nehemiah

Cupbearer

Jackal Well

Fox

Compassion

Esther

Hadassah . . . Esther

Became Jews

Job

Satan

Leviathan

Realm of the dead

Shut

Psalms

Meditates

Anointed

Psalm

Selah

Angels

Miktam

Prayer

Most High

Trust

Be still

The Mighty One, God, the

LORD

Righteous

Spirit

Praise

LORD

House

Depths

Praise

Proverbs

Wisdom

Adulterous

Wife of noble character

Ecclesiastes

Meaningless! Meaningless!

Toil

Chasing after the wind

Song of Songs

Darling

Beloved

Love

Lilies

Isaiah

Virgin

Branch

Jeremiah

Wilderness

Linen

Wastelands

Jar

Bones

Warriors

Lamentations

Naked

Winepress

Ezekiel

Son of man

Cubits

Daniel

Interpret

Hosea

Betroth

Amos

Ivory

Obadiah

Obadiah

Jonah

Jonah

Micah

Mercy

Nahum

Locusts

Habakkuk

Babylonians

Dragnet

Zephaniah

Threshold

Haggai

Haggai

Zechariah

HOLY TO THE

LORD

Malachi

Soap

Matthew

Genealogy

Jesus

Repent

Fire of hell

Apostles

Parables

Worshiped

Church

Large millstone

Sexual immorality

Faith

Hypocrites

Gethsemane

Mark

Good news

Impure

Secret

Talitha koum!

Carpenter

Solitary place

Love Your Neighbor

Coming

Abba

Luke

Account

Manger

Messiah

Synagogue

Abyss

Cross

Shameless

Life

Hour

Hades

Guest room

Skull

John

Word

One and only

Wind

Savior

Called

Advocate

Cuts off

Figuratively

Love

Love

Acts

Witnesses

Converts

Baptized

Christians

Worthless

Babbler

Tentmaker

Overseers

Aramaic

Sect

Islanders

Romans

Law

Works of the law

Broken off

True and proper

1 Corinthians

Church

Fellowship

Come, Lord

Galatians

Works of the law

Emasculate

Marks

Ephesians

Submit

Philippians

Servants

Nothing

Colossians

Fullness

Charge of Our legal indebtedness

Scythian

1 Thessalonians

Church

How to live

Body

Quiet

Coming

1 Timothy

Teachers of the law

Homosexuality

Peaceful

Deacons

Seared

Life

2 Timothy

Faithless

God-breathed

Titus

Elders

Savior

Philemon

Holy people

Hebrews

Will

Confidence

James

Double-minded

Religion

Meeting

1 Peter

Elect

Devil

2 Peter

Brothers and sisters

Stories

Hell

1 John

Advocate

Atoning (sacrifice)

Jude

Scoffers

Revelation

Revelation

Hallelujah

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

The books of the New Testament are indicated by italics.

Acts

Amos

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Colossians

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Daniel

Deuteronomy

Ecclesiastes

Ephesians

Esther

Exodus

Ezekiel

Ezra

Galatians

Genesis

Habakkuk

Haggai

Hebrews

Hosea

Isaiah

James

Jeremiah

Job

Joel

John

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jonah

Joshua

Jude

Judges

1 Kings

2 Kings

Lamentations

Leviticus

Luke

Malachi

Mark

Matthew

Micah

Nahum

Nehemiah

Numbers

Obadiah

1 Peter

2 Peter

Philemon

Philippians

Proverbs

Psalms

Revelation

Romans

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

Song of Songs

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Zechariah

Zephaniah

Foreword

Context is critical to understanding. Without the benefit of context, none of us can comprehend what is said in a conversation. And the Bible is exactly that. A conversation between us and the God who inspired those words, carefully shepherded them through the centuries, and who continues to breathe life into them for readers and listeners today. As a pastor, I spent many years opening this living document to my parishioners, encouraging them to dig deeply into God’s message of love for us. The Spirit works. Lights go on. Lives change.

The role of the pastor is to help others learn and grow through the Word of God. And that’s the role of the Christian author: to open the way for new insights and understanding so that the connection to the content can be more meaningfully applied to the reader’s life. That’s also the purpose of this Bible, the NIV First-Century Study Bible with general editor, Kent Dobson.

This Bible seeks to help readers gain the critical background information that’s needed to bring about a more complete understanding of what God wants to communicate to his people today and throughout history. As in any conversation, knowledge of context is critical to picking up on the nuances of the language, of the turn of a phrase, of an image that is evoked by a description. How much more important is it that, in a document translated into English from ancient languages, this kind of clarifying context is available?

Kent Dobson is my son. With joy, I’ve watched him pursue his passion for helping people understand the Bible in its ancient context, so that more clear and accurate applications can be gleaned from what the Bible’s writers originally intended. His extensive study in the languages of the Bible, as well as his time spent in Israel have acquainted him with the Eastern mindset from which the original writers of the Bible hailed. As a teacher, a pastor and a father, Kent strives to communicate the wonder of God’s love for his people through the understanding he brings to the Scriptures.

As you read through the notes in this Bible, look for questions to ponder. Kent has included them in the notes to allow readers to consider the amazing realities that unfold when one takes the rabbinic approach to considering a particular text. As you wrestle with these questions, pray for the Spirit’s influence in your life and for his direction of your understanding.

As a pastor, as a reader, as a Christian, my prayer is that you will be delighted and surprised by what you read in this Bible. Strive to set aside your Western mindset and experience the Bible through Eastern eyes. In the ancient world it was not about the answers you had but rather the questions that you asked. So dig in, ask tough questions, and expect God to reveal himself to you more richly and fully than you’ve ever experienced.

Ed Dobson,

September, 2013

A Note From the General Editor

The Bible was not born in a vacuum. It emerged in a specific region of the world over the course of many generations. It was written by different hands, in different languages, with rich literary devices to a people on the verge of their own evolving literacy. There is not a more complex and diverse book in terms of story and theme that has had greater impact on the course of human history. The Bible is like a modern documentary, weaving narratives, voices, memories, events, poems, parables and genealogies.¹ Its thematic content and overarching story is nothing short of literary genius. Even for those who do not hold to the Bible’s sacred and divine origins, this book that will not go away. It continues to provoke and challenge all who brush against its pages.

Yet today we are growing increasingly illiterate of the words, questions and themes of the Bible. Many are beginning to wonder if the Bible really has anything to offer modern society. It has been misused as a proof text for all sorts of conflicting politics, religious convictions, theologies and moral systems. It has also been put through the ringer of critical scholarship. Efforts to ask serious questions about how the Bible came to be and attempts to look for theological and literary inconsistencies have turned many away from the text. Some believe that if the Bible is not crystal clear in all it says and teaches, then it simply cannot be the Word of God and must be shelved as a relic of religious history.

How does the modern reader engage the sacred text to its intended fullness? Can one remain a critical reader and yet glimpse the spiritual depths of the Bible that have shaped our understanding of God, humankind and nature? Whom do we trust to help navigate the sea of interpretive possibilities? We know more now about the historical and cultural setting of the Bible than we have ever known. So how does the average reader take a step toward understanding the context of the Biblical books?

From my own experience, two gulfs must be narrowed. The first is the gulf between the average reader’s knowledge and the insights of scholars concerning the cultural, literary and historical background of the Bible. Some seminary graduates and Bible scholars are reluctant to bring the insights of scholarship, particularly critical scholarship, to their congregations or classrooms for fear of appearing to challenge the Bible. Many of the most powerful insights from the wealth of cultural background data and literary studies fail to make it to the public at large.

The publishing world and the Internet have, of course, made the available data within easy reach, but much of what is written is sensationalist. Yet as a teacher and a pastor, I recognize a thirst among people to read the Bible within its historical context. The NIV First-Century Study Bible is a modest attempt to help bridge this first gulf. My hope is to make available some of the insights gleaned from a variety of sources to help you see the Bible emerge on its own terms and in its own setting. We must let the Bible play by its ancient rules, just as we must let the Biblical images and understanding of God challenge our own understanding of God. The Biblical view of anything, even the name of God, will always remain somewhat mysterious. The ancient interpreters of the Bible themselves often read between the lines as they searched for additional depth and the meaning to which the sacred words pointed.

The second gulf to be narrowed is the one between the modern interpreter and the ancient interpreter. To the faith community, the Bible has always been first of all the revelation of God. The Torah itself, especially for Jews, stands at the peak of the mountain of revelation, and the stories of the patriarchs, the exodus and Sinai outline the starting place of understanding God and humankind. It formed the heart of the Scriptures for Jews and was the backdrop for Jesus’ own faith. Along with the Prophets and other Writings, it was the religious framework of language and interpretation into which Jesus was born.

The entire Bible is more than a collection of disjointed stories. Within its pages, this revelation from God comments and interprets itself. There are layers of interpretation within the Bible as it reflects on its own stories, themes and difficulties. For example, Ezekiel 16:49–50 provides a new layer of interpretation on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah found in Genesis 18–19. Nearly every page of the New Testament contains layers of interpretation on the stories and words of the Old Testament. It is as if the Bible is having a conversation with itself.

For the ancient Christians and Jews, the sacred words of the text were an invitation to carefully mine the depths of God’s revelation for its bottomless riches. My first course in Rabbinic Judaism began with the rabbi quoting from Jewish tradition: The Torah has seventy faces.² For the rabbis, the Torah was never one-sided; there was never meant to be only one interpretation. Such mining of the text recognized that the sacred words needed to be understood and interpreted by each generation of the faith community. They must be turned and turned over again. In this sense, the Bible is a living word. And as Christians we also believe that the same Spirit who inspired the ancient writers is still at work in our own interpretive efforts. But how in fact did the ancient reader interpret the Bible? And what voices are worth listening to?

For Protestants, the question of how the Bible is to be interpreted often goes back to John Calvin (1509–1564). His Scriptural insights and interpretations are an important foundation for the Protestant church. For Catholic readers, the tradition goes further back, sometimes to Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) or even Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430). Aquinas was a brilliant philosopher and theologian and strengthened the church’s intellectual tradition. Augustine was the most influential church father of his day, and he significantly influenced the theology and practice of Western Christianity. But rarely do modern Christians read for themselves the church fathers who were so formative of Christian doctrine.

For Jewish readers, the history of Biblical interpretation has remained more relevant to the faith community. The Jewish tradition preserved, in works like the Mishnah and the Talmuds, the ongoing interpretive conversation of the rabbis and teachers, and these important documents continue to be studied and commented on. Without criticizing my Jewish friends, I’ve noticed that some Jewish writers I’ve studied with are more familiar with the rabbinic interpretive conversations about the Torah than they are with the details of the story itself. No matter what their religious affiliation, when modern readers make the effort to listen to how the Bible has been interpreted, they become aware of a lively, diverse and entertaining conversation.

As a graduate student in Israel, I had a crash course in both historical-critical scholarship and an introduction to the ancient interpretive voices of both the rabbis and the church fathers. To my delight, many of the questions modern scholars were asking at that time about the Bible, particularly concerning its apparent inconsistencies and ambiguities, had not gone unnoticed by ancient readers. In fact, the most troubling and difficult passages to understand in the Bible were often the springboards for creative interpretations by ancient readers. I realized that when we attempt to interpret and even challenge the Bible, we are participating in a conversation that goes back to antiquity.

As many other Christians are discovering, the voices and insights of the Jewish world are critical to understanding the New Testament and life of Jesus. The NIV First-Century Study Bible attempts to highlight parallels between Jewish thought and literature and the ideas, words and images of the New Testament. The rediscovery of the Jewish Jesus, even among laypeople, has been healthy for the church. The dividing wall of hostility between Jewish interpreters and Christian interpreters and between Jewish scholars and Christian scholars has begun to come down. I’ve had the privilege of studying the Bible with Orthodox Jews, Greek Orthodox priests, evangelicals and skeptical agnostics—all in the same classroom.

There is much to be hopeful about as we share the insights of our various traditions. We don’t lose a sense of our distinctness; rather, we come to see our similarities and differences in a new and less hostile light. To our shame, Christianity does have a tradition of anti-Semitism. But it need not stay that way. The majority of the Christian Bible we share with the Jews. Any attempt to learn from the Jewish tradition must be done with humility in light of our failure to take seriously the second-greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:39).

The NIV First-Century Study Bible is an attempt to highlight a few of the ancient voices of interpretation. It will hopefully give the reader a glimpse as to how the ancient rabbis and church fathers attempted to make sense of the Biblical text. It also highlights parallel lines of thought, particularly between the New Testament and other important literature from the period. If anything, the ancient interpreters and writers approached the Biblical text with utmost seriousness, believing they were engaged with the very words of God. In my view, we owe our spiritual ancestors our ears if we are to make sense of the roots of our faith. In addition, the ancient commentators were much closer to the original languages of the Bible and shared a closer worldview to the Biblical writers than readers from the twenty-first century. The ancient readers picked up on things that we easily overlook.

The present volume is limited in its scope of ancient voices. Most of the early Christian voices are from the fifth century

AD

or earlier. And most of the Jewish voices come from Jewish literature from just before the time of Christ or from the Mishnah, which was compiled in

AD

200. When an ancient Christian or Jewish voice is used in this commentary, it is meant to bring in a new voice, a new color and a new perspective to our understanding of Scripture. This commentary is not an attempt to give any kind comprehensive treatment of either the Jewish world or of the ancient Christian world. My hope is that it whets the appetite for more. My hope is that readers will join the conversation about meaning and truth with those who have gone before us. Listening to the comments and insights of a few ancient voices has been a humbling experience in my own life. The seriousness and care they took in trying to understand God’s Word and live it out is a source of inspiration as I too approach the sacred Word.

The contemporary reader may find unusual many of the interpretations made by ancient readers, Jewish and Christian. I find myself disagreeing with them at least as often as I find myself agreeing with them. Listening to how the Bible has been understood in the past does not often bring clarity about the right interpretation. Often it has the effect of sinking into several possibilities. In this sense we join an amazing conversation about meaning, a conversation of utmost importance to the practice of faith. By remaining sensitive to the past, we are less likely to play fast and loose with the Bible. If we are going to attempt to interpret the Bible for our present context, we ought to allow the history of interpretation a seat at the table.

In the spirit of conversation and interpretation, the notes and articles in this Bible from time to time raise questions without providing definitive answers. This is done in the spirit of rabbinic teaching, of which Jesus was a part. In fact, Jesus ended the parable of the Good Samaritan with a question (Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? Lk 10:36). Jesus never explicitly answers the question, allowing his followers to respond. My hope is that readers will take the questions seriously and do their own digging for answers.

I hope this study Bible, with its exploration of language, the parallel ancient literature and the occasional insights of ancient readers, will inspire you to dig deeper. After all, the Bible has survived thousands of years of interpretation and criticism. It still stands as a mighty word that must be wrestled with by every generation. Happy wrestling.

Kent Dobson

September, 2013

1. Holtz, Back to the Sources: Reading the Classic Jewish Texts, 35.

2. Numbers Rabba 13:15.

Welcome to the NIV First-Century Study Bible

The NIV First-Century Study Bible contains features to help you get more from the Scriptures. This Bible contains the full text of the NIV Bible along with inserted features that will help you better understand what the text is saying. Below is a list of the features you’ll find in this Bible.

Book Introductions: At the beginning of each Bible book, you’ll find an extensive book introduction adapted from the NIV Study Bible book introductions. These comprehensive introductions will give you information on the background in which the book was written, details about the author (if known), date, theme and more. Also, at the end of each introduction, an outline (or outlines) will aid your understanding of the structure of each book. Full color photos provide context for your understanding of the times in which each book was written.

Day in the Life Articles: What was it like to be a shepherd in Bible times? What did a midwife do? The Day in the Life articles give you a peek into the world of Bible times. These informative and unique articles help you experience what life was like during the days of the Bible, giving you a greater background for understanding the Scriptures in their cultural and historical context.

Study notes: These insightful notes are tied to verses in the Bible text. These notes will unpack difficult passages, give you greater historical context and help you to see the text differently through the eyes of commentators of old—rabbis, scholars and the church fathers and mothers. In the spirit of rabbinic thought, sometimes the notes raise questions so that you as the reader can wrestle with the text as generations have done before you.

Textual Articles: Sometimes passages in the Bible require greater in-depth treatment. Textual articles tackle topics that arise through your reading of the text. Articles such as Wearing the Commandments, Life in the Diaspora and What is the Biblical View on Slavery give you a richer understanding of the Bible and its times.

Word Studies: The Bible was written in ancient languages by people who lived many years ago. This Bible pulls out significant words and explores their meanings both for the people of the time and for readers today. You’ll find that the text comes alive when you have a greater understanding of the original meaning of a word.

Maps, charts, photos, illustrations: Full color maps, charts, illustrations and photographs give you a greater understanding of the text. Some of these materials were originally published in the NIV Study Bible.

The Word of God: More important than any of the features we’ve added to this Bible is the text itself, the Word of God. The New International Version of the Bible is a scholarly translation that accurately expresses the original Bible texts in clear and contemporary English while remaining faithful to the original intentions of the Biblical writers. These inspired words are God’s words written for you. May he bless your reading.

Preface

The goal of the New International version (NIV) is to enable English-speaking people from around the world to read and hear God’s eternal Word in their own language. Our work as translators is motivated by our conviction that the Bible is God’s Word in written form. We believe that the Bible contains the divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, sheds unique light on our path in a dark world and sets forth the way to our eternal well-being. Out of these deep convictions, we have sought to recreate as far as possible the experience of the original audience—blending transparency to the original text with accessibility for the millions of English speakers around the world. We have prioritized accuracy, clarity and literary quality with the goal of creating a translation suitable for public and private reading, evangelism, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. We have also sought to preserve a measure of continuity with the long tradition of translating the Scriptures into English.

The complete NIV Bible was first published in 1978. It was a completely new translation made by over a hundred scholars working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The translators came from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, giving the translation an international scope. They were from many denominations and churches—including Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and others. This breadth of denominational and theological perspective helped to safeguard the translation from sectarian bias. For these reasons, and by the grace of God, the NIV has gained a wide readership in all parts of the English-speaking world.

The work of translating the Bible is never finished. As good as they are, English translations must be regularly updated so that they will continue to communicate accurately the meaning of God’s Word. Updates are needed in order to reflect the latest developments in our understanding of the biblical world and its languages and to keep pace with changes in English usage. Recognizing, then, that the NIV would retain its ability to communicate God’s Word accurately only if it were regularly updated, the original translators established The Committee on Bible Translation (CBT). The committee is a self-perpetuating group of biblical scholars charged with keeping abreast of advances in biblical scholarship and changes in English and issuing periodic updates to the NIV. CBT is an independent, self-governing body and has sole responsibility for the NIV text. The committee mirrors the original group of translators in its diverse international and denominational makeup and in its unifying commitment to the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

In obedience to its mandate, the committee has issued periodic updates to the NIV. An initial revision was released in 1984. A more thorough revision process was completed in 2005, resulting in the separately published Today’s New International version (TNIV). The updated NIV you now have in your hands builds on both the original NIV and the TNIV and represents the latest effort of the committee to articulate God’s unchanging Word in the way the original authors might have said it had they been speaking in English to the global English-speaking audience today.

The first concern of the translators has continued to be the accuracy of the translation and its faithfulness to the intended meaning of the biblical writers. This has moved the translators to go beyond a formal word-for-word rendering of the original texts. Because thought patterns and syntax differ from language to language, accurate communication of the meaning of the biblical authors demands constant regard for varied contextual uses of words and idioms and for frequent modifications in sentence structures.

As an aid to the reader, sectional headings have been inserted. They are not to be regarded as part of the biblical text and are not intended for oral reading. It is the committee’s hope that these headings may prove more helpful to the reader than the traditional chapter divisions, which were introduced long after the Bible was written.

For the Old Testament the standard Hebrew text, the Masoretic Text as published in the latest edition of Biblia Hebraica, has been used throughout. The Masoretic Text tradition contains marginal notations that offer variant readings. These have sometimes been followed instead of the text itself. Because such instances involve variants within the Masoretic tradition, they have not been indicated in the textual notes. In a few cases, words in the basic consonantal text have been divided differently than in the Masoretic Text. Such cases are usually indicated in the textual footnotes. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain biblical texts that represent an earlier stage of the transmission of the Hebrew text. They have been consulted, as have been the Samaritan Pentateuch and the ancient scribal traditions concerning deliberate textual changes. The translators also consulted the more important early versions—the Greek Septuagint, Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, the Latin vulgate, the Syriac Peshitta, the Aramaic Targums and, for the Psalms, the Juxta Hebraica of Jerome. Readings from these versions, the Dead Sea Scrolls and