The Bible is one of the world's most complex and remarkable books. It is the basis of two of the most important religions, and to believers it remains the primary means of spiritual salvation. Yet it is far more than a religious treatise; it is also a work of challenging profundity, charged with the deepest emotions and containing some of the most compelling stories ever told. The influence of the Bible on the history of Western culture has been immense, providing a foundation for its moral and religious codes and a source of inspiration for some of the most exceptional works of art and literature that the world has seen. The Illustrated Guide to the Bible distils the essence of the Old and New Testaments in a series of generously illustrated treatments of major themes and episodes from the Creation to the Apocalypse. Authoritative and highly readable accounts of the historical, social, archaeological and mythological contexts in which its stories occur are contained within a framework that emphasizes narratives and their meanings. The Illustrated Guide to the Bible is an illuminating and comprehensive reference guide to the books, episodes, figures, and places of the Bible. Above all, it offers a highly accessible way to read the narratives that have caught the imagination of the world since the beginnings of civilization, bringing alive the Bible's characters and events while exploring in detail the underlying significance of its major themes. This book is intended for students of history, religious studies, and cultural studies.