Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible.

• Author: Sasson, Jack M.

Edited by KAREL VAN DEN TOORN, BOB BECKING, and PIETER W. VAN DER HORST. Leiden: E. J. BRILL, 1995. Pp. xxxvi + 1774 columns (2 per page) + 19 page index. HFl 225, $128.75.

A reference work with alphabetized topical or thematic entries is commonly labeled "Dictionary." The most interesting dictionaries are those penned by a single author (e.g., Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage), if only because they tend to be opinionated, witty, and idiosyncratic. More common in academic markets, however, are dictionaries (really alphabetized "Companions"), where one or more editors farm out entries to a broad range of specialists. The hope is that the results will make for a homogeneous, integral, and indispensable volume, broad in its coverage and balanced in its range of opinions.

I give the DDD high marks for effort (in spots, even for achievement), but I foresee the need of a second edition, to dislodge kinks and indulgences, to trim (or delete) deficient entries, but also to supply new entries for missing topics. The volume is well designed and easy to read. But the binding of the copy I received (as well as the one purchased by a colleague) easily broke.

Whether original to the project or not, the title of the DDD was itself a trap, for it was bound to generate editorial predicaments. A glance at the contents makes it clear that "Bible" of the title is taken lightly, not just as the source of potential entries, but also regarding Scripture's own opinion on what constitutes a deity or a demon. (Confronting the DDD, ancient Hebrews might be stunned by how much their manifesto on monotheism leaked.) Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why there are treatments for Noah, Abraham, and Jacob (but not Isaac), Rachel and Leah (but no other matriarch), some tribal eponyms (e.g., Gad, Joseph, Judah), but not others, Boaz (as god!) but not Naomi (as goddess, not even sub Demeter, as per M. Astour, Hellenosemitica [Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1965], 278-79).

There are entries for Near Eastern deities, demons (and the like) when they have tenuous attachment to Bible lore. Thus, we meet with "Amurru" and with "Mulissu," allegedly because they are embedded in the formations of name (respectively, Amraphel and Adrammelech), "Atum" because it is linked to Pithom, "Apkallu" because they remind of Nephilim, "Misharu" because of a poetic usage of Hebrew misor. "Mithras" is there for no particularly good reason. There are entries that challenge the compulsion...