Daily Life at the Time of Jesus

This will be added to my list of books for my undergrad students at Oral Roberts University. The new minor in Jewish Christian Studies at ORU includes books that teach about the Daily Life in Israel. I've been using Roland deVaux's Ancient Israel book as a basic reader for the course, but it lacked illustrations. I went looking for an illustrated book but not a child's picture book. I also wanted to be sure to include ACCURATE information around the illustrations that pulled from PRIMARY SOURCES and not just a repeat of the general Christian view of what has been taught without the addition of history, customs and manner, geography, Jewish sources of that time, and archaeology. I was delighted with this book, and when I saw that the author had lived in Israel since 1970 where everyone explores the Land, and that she was a guide, I knew I had found a book worth looking at. I was not disappointed. I see that many of the foremost archaeologists of Israel are listed as contributing to the book including Lenn Ritmeyer, and Neot Kedumim and the Israeli antiquities museums! She has done her homework! The drawings are in detail of many of the scenes that Christians never imagine such as a scene on the Mt of Olives of the Crucifiction, and the Chamber where the Sanheidren met!I looked at her bibliography and saw that she had included Dr. Brad Young's Parables book, and I had to grin! Dr. Young teaches at the master's level at ORU and was one of my mentors and professors for my own master's work! He is a great communicator and studied in Israel for his master's and PhD at Hebrew University. Then he returned to Tulsa to teach at ORU! I know the value of having teachers who have studied in the land, and how they can influence my own studies. I highly recommend this book, and would encourage others to purchase it and READ IT! It's not just a picture book! She has relayed accurate information as well. The drawings of the crucifiction are true to what scholars now know of the positioning of the body, and her chart at the end of the book titled "From King David to Jesus" is the first that I have ever seen with such detail! Well done, Miriam! Someday when I come to Israel with my students, I hope to meet you. Blessings! Cheryle Holeman, Adjunct Professor of Jewish Christian Studies at ORU in Tulsa, OK

When I received this book in the mail, I was initially disappointed. I had ordered it before it was in print, so there was no information about the book on Amazon.com. I had hoped for a thick volume, and instead I received a slender picture book.To my surprise, the book is quite comprehensive. Most of my daily life books about Biblical times get so caught up in the history of the Jews and the politics of the region that they neglect the real daily life of the people. This book ignores the politics and instead concentrates on the stuff you buy a book like this to learn.Instead of just showing pictures of the coins of the time, for example, this book gives a chart showing what a shekel would buy. Instead of going into the history of why people made their pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the writer instead focused on what happened when they got there. These things are invaluable from a writer's standpoint, because when you're writing a book from the perspective of someone who lived in a particular time, the protagonist doesn't care about the history of his actions. All he cares about is what he's doing.If you're looking for a book that doesn't explain why but is keenly focused on the what and how, this is the book for you. I own seven or eight books of daily life in Biblical times, and this is one of two I'll actually use in my writing.

Miriam was our tour guide a couple weeks back in Israel and I know her to be very knowledgeable about the country, it's history, archeology, etc.. The book is well titled and gives a good basic understanding of life back then. Especially helpful in one's understanding of the Bible and why Jesus did the things he did and said things the way they were. Puts it in context. Such a small book can't be highly comprehensive, though if you're interested in the Herods it is quite so. It does pack a lot of information in a small package. The illustrations by the former Russian lacquer box painter, are very nice, representative and helpful. Not a children's book, highly recommended to anyone with any interest in the country, the times, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

I bought the book for my husband. He considers it a good introductory book to the life of Jesus: it is wide ranging, well researched, and nicely illustrated. He is very happy with it. He subtracted one star because he was hoping for a little more information on what it was like to live under Roman occupation, a bit more in depth on the social history and daily life in first century Israel. However he considers it a very nice book and is enjoying reading it.

The Book itself if Grat! I bought one while in Israel and it was so helpful and informative to help understand what life was like during Christ's time, in almost every aspect!I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to better enhance their New Testament studiesThe reason I gave it 3 stars was for shipping. I ordered 9 books to give to family, and all were in a nock without any packaging to protect them. The box was damaged and then delivered on a snowy day (expected in early Feb in Rocky mts). All books were damaged and wet! So disappointed

It's not as comprehensive as I would like (and parts of some illustrations are re-used), but it does give a good glimpse of what life was like at the time of Jesus; the pictures and illustrations really help me (and my children) visualize such a different time and place. I did learn some new things, too.

I found this book most interesting in looking at the social and cultural aspects of the time period when Jesus lived. It also helps the younger student understand all of the problems occurring during this time frame and therefore presents a basis for understandingJesus and his apostles

I liked this book. I am so glad I was able to locate it on Amazon.com. A group from my church are going to Israel soon and I bought this with the idea of getting a more personal review of what life may have been like, when Jesus of Nazareth lived there. Now, I am passing it around for others who are going, to see! Thanks, again. Jane

I have to agree with another reviewer that this is not just a children's book although it is very useful for making 1st century Israel more accessible to children. One of the side benefits that I have found from its numerous pictures and drawings, is that it has helped me to visualise the world of Jesus when I meditate on certain aspects of life in the Gospels. If you are familiar with Ignatian prayer, it places great emphasis on using imaginative reflection on scenes from the Gospels to become a virtual participant in the event. By using your imagination, you can engage with and experience the lessons of events more fully. The images in this book have helped me to build a more complete image of the stories from the Gospels and ponder the lessons more directly.

This excellent book has a slightly split personality: the pictures suggest that it's for young children, but the text is clearly aimed at teenagers and adults. Still, as the pictures do a great job showing us life in Jesus' day, that's not a problem.A few quibbles: the dating of the gospels is too late by a factor of ten to twenty years (the idea that the apostle John waited 60-70 years before put pen to parchment is ludicrous); the "Tomb of Absalom" on p.72 has been identified as the tomb of Zechariah, John the Baptist's father; and you need a PhD to follow the family tree "From King David to Jesus".Which said, it would make an ideal present for a First Holy Communion. Or any Christian.

A useful guide to biblical times. If I gave to a child I would point them ahead of the History section - impossible to remember names etc. Get them to look at the actual life.

I bought this for our church afterschool club, to help us understand what life was like when Jesus was alive, and what he might have meant when he said such things as 'I am the water of life.'

All information given in a user friendly style with no 'academic' speak. The subjects covered give a good overview of the life and times.