Everyday Biblical Literacy: The Essential Guide to Biblical Allusions in Art, Literature and Life - Hardcover

What do we mean when we call a woman a Jezebel? Where did go the extra mile originate? What exactly was a scapegoat? Why was a fast-and-furious driver called Jehu? In a more literate (and Bible-conscious) age, most people knew the source of these and hundreds of other names, phrases, and images. Artists and writers could assume their audiences would understand references to biblical people and events. Today, some of those meanings are lost. This book fills that gap in knowledge. Arranged alphabetically (from Aaron's rod to Zion) are the most important names, places, things, phrases, and ideas of the Bible, in user-friendly format. Each word or phrase is defined without preachiness: the text presents concisely what the Bible tells about a particular person or event, but also looks at how that person or thing has been presented culturally in art, music, and literature. The reader not only gets a guided tour of biblical history, but also a renewed appreciation for words, phrases, art, and music that have been influenced by the Bible.

J. Stephen Lang has published 25 books thus far. Cumulatively, more than 1.2 million books with his name on them have been sold. His niche has mostly been in publishing Christian books that deal with the Bible in a non-academic way and are entertaining.