Richard Watson
A Biblical and Theological Dictionary
explanatory of the history, manners, and customs of the Jews, and neighbouring nations
"A Biblical and Theological Dictionary" by Richard Watson is a reference work written in the early 19th century. This dictionary aims to provide an explanatory resource on the history, manners, and customs of the Jews, as well as pertinent insights on remarkable places and individuals mentioned in the Bible. Moreover, it encompasses an exposition of key doctrines of Christianity and observations on various Jewish and Christian sects and heresies. The opening of the dictionary includes a preface by the author, in which Watson explains the structure and purpose of the work. He elaborates that the dictionary compiles information from both ancient and modern sources, refining and expanding upon various articles deemed significant for understanding the Scriptures. He notes the importance of selective inclusion, aiming to highlight entries that foster a deeper comprehension of biblical texts. Watson also mentions the inclusion of an alphabetical list of proper names from the Bible, detailing their meanings and pronunciations, thus emphasizing the dictionary's utility for theological students and scholars.