BITH 213: Bible Backgrounds

From the syllabus: "What do you need to know about the first-century world in order to answer your question? Decide on just one historical issue, like Jewish worship, Greco-Roman education, crucifixion, etc. Begin with dictionaries and encyclopedias to investigate that topic; they will lead you to pertinent primary sources (like Josephus, Philo, Epictetus, etc). Please use the Bible but you need one additional primary source other than the Bible. Write an essay sharing what you’ve learned (i.e. “The Jewish view of Marriage”)."

Strategy #1 - Consult background commentaries and dictionaries.

• Background commentaries and dictionaries are a unique class of resources that consider the broader cultural context in which the biblical writings emerged. Go to your passage in the appropriate commentary. A reference to an ancient source is not provided for every passage or topic.

Strategy #2 - Locate references to the primary texts by searching the secondary literature.

• For one of Apostle Paul's letters addressing women (e.g. 1 Cor 11:2-16), one might try a combination of words including "new testament" roman jewish women head covering corinthians in Google Books; here is an example of what you're looking for in which Philo of Alexandria is cited.

 Strategy #3 - Specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias which often reference primary texts. 

• For background on the institution of the Lord's Supper, e.g., examine the articles on "meals" or "sacrifice" in New Pauly or consult the "passover" article in the Encyclopedia Judaica;

 Strategy #4 - Direct keyword searches of the primary texts

• For Acts 2:42-47 in which we get a glimpse of the social dynamics of the early church, one could explore attitudes of Philo or Josephus in their writings directly with a search in the Digital Loeb for possessions OR wealth OR poor (in "Main Text") and author: Philo and/or Josephus