Language and Imagery of the Bible
The Language and Imagery of the Bible by G.B Caird
You can tell right away when an author is writing out of the overflow of wisdom and knowledge (at least we like to think we can); there's a richness and a suggestiveness about what they write. Some authors are an inch deep and a mile wide while others appear to be going deep but their narrow. In The Language and Imagery of the Bible G.B Caird leads you to believe he has so much more to tell but has to remember he has only 280 pages.
Then there's that saying that goes something like: Give a man a meal and he can eat for a day but give him the tools and the know-how and he'll feed his family for a lifetime. Some books you read once (at most) and others you take down often and have another shot at them. Caird's is like that, a take-down-and-consult-often type work. It helps you to think for yourself, helps enable you to think for yourself and the Bible turns out to be a richer book.
It isn't a "devotional" book and if you aren't patient you're liable to toss it aside as too big a bite to chew but, bless me, if all we ever read is what we already know we're doomed to be spiritual minors all our lives. Unless you're already very experienced you'll find the book a bit demanding but I defy any serious Bible student to give it a good listening to without being a much better and wiser student ever after. Of course, if you aren't a committed Bible student (and there's no reason to think that everyone should be) then you won't like Caird's book; so save your money for some other good thing.
The volume is what the title says it is: reflections on the language and imagery of the Bible. The table of contents makes it look dry but this is not an introduction to grammar; it's an examination of how the Bible uses words and images. In that respect it's a study of the Bible and how the Bible goes about its business.
It's filled with helpful illustrations, suggestions for a new and different look at many familiar texts and even where you think Caird has missed it you have your eyes opened to an understanding other than your own. (I hate to take issue with people as wise and smart as Caird—but such is life; you can't act with integrity beyond your own perceptions.)
I'd give you some illustrations of how helpful he is but why bother—take the risk and invest a little money.
If you're only a beginner or not very experienced don't buy the book; this notice is not for you.
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