Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. Karel van der Toorn, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst.

Abstract

This text is designed as a work of reference on the gods, angels, demons, spirits and semi-divine heroes whose names occur in the biblical books. Arranged in the order of the Latin alphabet, over 400 names found in the books of the Hebrew and the Greek Bible, Old and New Testament, including the Apocrypha are included. There are entries on divine names recognized as such by the biblical authors; divine names in theophoric toponyms and anthroponyms; secular terms which occur as divine names in neighbouring civilizations, conjectural divine names, at times based on textual emendation, proposed by modern scholarship; and humans having acquired a semi-divine status in tradition. Entries contain a discussion of the pertinent name, its meaning, the religio-historical background, relevant biblical passages and an up-to date bibliography. Owing to the comprehensive coverage of names and its religio-historical emphasis, this book provides information concerning the spiritual world in which the peoples of the book have lived. Extensive indexes and cross-references provide easy access to the information of the dictionary.