Homeschool Happenings: Crossway ESV Bible Atlas

With over 175 full-color maps, the Crossway ESV Bible Atlas provides rich insight into the historical geography of the biblical world from before Abraham to Jerusalem in the New Testament. In addition, 70 photographs and fascinating 3-D re-creations of biblical sites and objects are included. In the Appendices and Indexes section of the book, readers will find timelines, a family tree, lists, and five indexes. What struck me most about the book was its size and weight. Dimensionally, the book is 9" x 1.4" x 11.75" and weighs 5.13 pounds. It is not a book that you will want to carry around, but rather a book that you'll keep at home or where you study or work. In terms of quality, the book is exceptional. The book is bound in a thick hardcover and has semi gloss cardstock pages. There is a special bonus included with the book! An access code that is included in the book allows you to download all of the maps and illustrations in this Atlas. The Crossway ESV Bible Atlas is divided into four parts:

Introduction and Overview of the Biblical World
Historical Geography of the Biblical World
Regional Geography of the Biblical World
Appendixes and Indexes

As I read Part 2: Historical Geography of the Biblical World, I was fascinated by the highlighted section titled A Garden in Eden. Learning about Eden's geographical landscape and seeing a map of the large geographical area Eden spanned was shocking. As Scripture records, God plants in Eden a garden which He will name the Garden of Eden. Still, the mystery remains. Where exactly was Eden located? Many ideas have been proposed.

The six-tiered Solomonic gateway at Megiddo. It is incredible that partial structures built between 970 and 930 B.C. still stand. I'm amazed at the intricate stonework. Imagine what stories those walls and paths could tell if only they could talk.

Located in northern Israel, the Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake fed by the upper branch of the Jordan River.

The Crossway ESV Bible Atlas contains many amazing illustrations, including this depiction of Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus. The various locations highlighted in the illustration are fascinating to read about. Due to movie and picture influences, I had a totally different mental picture of Golgotha. Of all places, Golgotha was located on a hill overlooking a quarry. It was located outside the second wall of the city. A mere 300 yards from Jerusalem was the Garden of Gethsemane!

Jerusalem and events during the Passion Week are depicted in these illustrations. By using scripture references, the author walks readers through each illustration. The first illustration depicts Jerusalem at the Time of Jesus. You can use the illustration to track as you read the text and scripture references. In the second illustration, you can see where the Last Supper may have been observed. It then shows the route Jesus and his disciples would have traveled across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane. The third illustration is entitled Jesus' Arrest, Trial, and Crucifixion. After our Lord's arrest, it depicts where he would have been taken. Six stops are highlighted:

Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane to Annas who sent him to Ciaphas, the high priest.
Jewish leaders appealed to Pilate to have Jesus put to death.
Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas.
Herod Antipas questioned Jesus but rendered no judgement and sent him back to Pilate.
Pilate ultimately sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
Jesus was taken to Golgotha and crucified.