A nearly indispensable Bible help-book is Manners and Customs of the Bible by James M. Freeman. This little gem is truly amazing! What makes this volume stack up so well against other ‘helps’ are the three indexes: Analytical, Textual and Topical.

Mr. Freeman’s book contains 893 entries including references in every book of the Bible. Included in the subjects are: games, key, mortar, penny, soap, tables, wagons and windows. Along the way, you will find 168 engravings that will bring to life particular manners and customs. As well (for those that love to trace where an author garnered his information) Freeman has offered an extensive list of authorities that he used in preparation for his work.

This book stands apart from many others because it is approaching the Bible from the human-societal perspective; helping you and I discover and understand the meaning behind many difficult passages. “Manners and Customs” brings great clarity our study of the Bible, and I will use John 13:23 as an example: Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. There at number 814 we are told that a dinner guest would lay upon his left side; using his right hand to reach and then eat his food. Thereby, that person’s head would easily come in contact with the chest of the person to his left.

Don’t miss out on this insightful, easy to use Bible tool, Manners and Customs of the Bible by James M. Freeman.