For more fifty years James Hastings one volume Dictionary of the Bible has been a valued work of reference in many libraries, both public and private. During that time much new knowledge has been acquired. The spade of the archaeologist has brought exciting new material into our hands, and our knowledge of the Biblical languages is fuller than it was half a century ago. Moreover, Biblical research has not stood still, and we have not rested in the positions of those days. In textual criticism there is greater caution today than there was, while interest in worship and in Biblical theology occupies a larger place in our study than it did formerly. It therefore seemed desirable to issue a revised edition of this Dictionary.