Here’s 3 of Carta’s 2017 releases plus a catalog title that was the first of these attractive large, educational, handy (40 pages each) volumes:

1. Understanding Hezekiah of Judah 

Hezekiah is a worthy focus of study for Old Testament students. Not only is he the greatest king after David, but he is the last great hurrah of Judah. His reforms ran the deepest, his faith was the most clearly on display, and it was all against the backdrop of the turbulent times he lived. This book brings it all alive!

Mordechai Cogan, a respected Jewish scholar wrote this volume. You may remember his name from writing major commentaries on 1 & 2 Kings in the Anchor Bible Commentary series. I may not agree with every historical conclusion he makes, but his passion for his subject is clear on every page.

You are going to love the gorgeous photos, fine graphic illustrations, and, of course, those wonderful Carta maps. He explains how Hezekiah eliminated rural altars and brought all worship back to the Temple in Jerusalem. (When Cogan speaks of the “Israelite cult” he is referring to their uniqueness in the religious world of their times).

Archaeological data and Assyrian accounts are brought in to enliven the story. What you end up with is a fascinating portrait of Hezekiah and his times that any Bible reader would have to enjoy!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

2. Understanding the Israelite-Samaritans

Fascinating! I can think of no other word to describe this book. Benjamin Tsedaka, who is an Elder in the Samaritan community in Israel, is writing as one who lives his subject. As the subtitle suggests, the portrait drawn takes us from biblical to modern times. Frankly, both ancient and modern times are fascinating.

Tracing back to the Northern Kingdom days of the Divided Kingdom Era, and being prominent in some episodes of Jesus’ ministry as well as one of His most famous parables, the Samaritans are a worthy subject of study for Bible students today.

The book begins with a general history, then gives a review of their area, and even tells where settlements of their people were. In section 4, we get a careful explanation of who the Samaritans are and who they are not. We are told of their Scriptures, the Samaritan Pentateuch, which are the only Scriptures they recognize, and the difference with the Masoretic text. Then we learn their prayers, their customs, and their way of life.

A book written by someone who believes in what they write always reads the best and that is the case here. With the incredible subject, you have the Carta maps and photos, which are the best out there! There’s nothing in print quite like this book!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

3. Understanding the Holy Temple Jesus Knew

Leen and Kathleen Ritmeyer are Temple Mount experts. More than scholars, they have been involved in all major excavations in Jerusalem for the last 40 years. They are uniquely qualified to tackle the subject of this fine book. In fact, Carta has already published their larger work, “The Quest: Revealing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem“.

Now they give us a volume that fits in with the attractive series of 9×12 glossy, 40-page books that Carta has been turning out over the last few years. The incredible Carta maps are used throughout, as are exceptional pictures and illustrations. I love the reconstruction drawing of Jerusalem in Jesus’ day on page 6!

This is a worthy subject as several New Testament events of Jesus’ ministry took place in or around the Temple. The first half of the book explains the Temple itself as we understand it from the Bible and archaeology. A fine, succinct overview is given.

The second half of the book more specifically discusses Jesus there. What the reader gains is a vivid picture of key Gospel events!

This is another Carta winner! No Bible reader could fail to glean from this beautiful book. I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

4. Understanding the Old Testament: An Introductory Atlas to the Hebrew Bible

Here’s the first of the gorgeous Carta glossy 40-page volumes for Bible students. Baruch Sarel wrote this little jewel filled with incredible Carta maps, pictures, and illustrations. The maps alone make the book worthwhile, but there’s so much more.

There’s an overview of each book of the OT, a description of the Ancient Near East, another of all the peoples and lands that impacted OT history, and an explanation of the patriarchs and matriarchs of the OT. From there, the story of the OT is told historically with text and well-chosen maps. The kings of Israel and Judah are described, as are the corresponding prophets.

I don’t see how a better overview of the OT could be fit in 40 pages. This would be perfect for Bible or Sunday School classes as well as personal study. Chalk this up as another highly-recommended volume!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.