The Layman's Bible Dictionary

By George Knight and Rayburn Ray

Simple Bible definitions

Review by Jerry Simmons

I'll ask the question asked in the Introduction to The Layman's Bible Dictionary: Why do we need another? The answer is simple -- to simplify the content of most other Bible dictionaries. George Knight and Rayburn Ray have a heart for making the Bible as accessible and as affordable as possible.

Knight and Ray have simplified in another way by carefully selecting the 2,500 articles. This is not an exhaustive dictionary which treats every person, place, and thing mentioned in the Bible. On the other hand, you can carry it with you easily because of its convenient size. It is based on the King James Version but can be used with any version.

Sample dictionary entry:

DEMON. An evil spirit with
destructive power who opposes God.
In His healing ministry, Jesus
cast demons out of several people
(Matt. 12:22-24; Luke 8:27-39).

The definitions often contain only one or two sentences. For example, at the entry Poplar, we read: A tree of the willow family. Jacob used poplar branches to produce speckled flocks (Gen.30:37-39). Some entries such as Lord's Supper are longer. Although simply written, the content has been reviewed for "factual and theological accuracy" by Dr. Dan Gentry Kent, professor of Old Testament at Southwestern Baptist Seminary.

The writing style, type size, and vocabulary make this dictionary a good beginning reference for young people as well. Black-and-white photos of key biblical sites from Israel appear throughout the book.

Jerry Simmons is a retired pastor in Olathe, KS.

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