Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 31:4 (Autumn 2017)
Article: Book Review "Dictionary Of Daily Life In Biblical And Post-Biblical Antiquity" Edited By Edwin M. Yamauchi And Marvin R. Wilson (Hendrickson, 2014-2017)
Author: Molly Kate Brannock

PP 31:4 (Autumn 2017) p. 41

Book Review
Dictionary Of Daily Life In Biblical And Post-Biblical Antiquity
Edited By Edwin M. Yamauchi And Marvin R. Wilson (Hendrickson, 2014-2017)

Molly Kate Brannock

Molly Kate Brannock is an alumna of Milligan College and a graduate student at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, both in eastern Tennessee. Her academic interests include New Testament studies and biblical languages. Molly Kate has roots in both the United Methodist Church and the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ.

The four-volume Dictionary of Daily Life in Biblical and Post- Biblical Antiquity (DDL) provides a well-rounded overview of life not only across time periods but also across the several cultures of the biblical world. Thirty-three scholars, including editors Edwin M. Yamauchi (Professor Emeritus of History at Miami University) and Marvin R. Wilson (Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College), have contributed to the DDL. Readers of Priscilla Papers will tend to regret that only three of these contributors are women (Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer, Robin Gallaher Branch, and Laura A. Dunn). The selection of articles and the information included in them is broad and balanced; nevertheless, a broader diversity of authorship could make the study richer. All contributors are reputable scholars and have provided high quality and up-to-date information.

Before proceeding with a summary of some of the content, it is encouraging to note that DDL recently became available in a one-volume, 2000-page edition, thus making it more affordable (about $65). In addition, several of the lengthy articles are available as inexpensive individual Kindle downloads (e.g., “Abortion,” “Adoption,” “Adultery,” “Contraception and Control of Births,” “Hair,” “Infanticide and Exposure,” “Inheritance,” “Marriage,” “Purity and Impurity,” “Same-Sex Relations,” “Widows and Orphans”).

The extensive variety of topics brings the time period to life. The articles were chosen “based on the Human Relations Area Files, an anthropological grid of human society, which would systematically and comparatively survey different aspects of culture” (Introduction, see also http://hraf.yale.edu). As a result, the categories addressed are more extensive than similar reference works. Because DDL covers features of everyday life, the subject matter is relatable to our own everyday lives as well. Though we are far removed from the time period, we share many of their basic human needs and interests, such as relationships, health care, and entertainment. Included are a considerable number of topics that the average Bible student, or even scholar, would not typically encounter, such as laundry and men’s beard...