Week 1 (no session)
No session.
Early Biblical Interpretation Seminar
The Early Biblical Interpretation seminar series runs most academic years and is focused on the study of texts and considers the vitality of biblical texts, traditions, and themes across the ancient world. In this seminar, one might hear research on the theme of wisdom in Greek tragedy, prayer in the Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical and classical commentaries, or rabbinic reading strategies. During Hilary (weeks 2, 3, 5, and 6) and Trinity (weeks 2, 3, and 8) Terms 2026, the Early Biblical Interpretation Seminar will take place on Thursdays from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Harris Seminar Room (Oriel College), with the exception of the 24 February Writers’ Workshop, which will take place from 4:30-6:15pm. Please see the schedule below.
The Bodleian’s incredible collection of Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, and Greek manuscripts are an integral part of this seminar and we regularly organise group visits to the Weston Library.
Convener: Prof Hindy Najman (Oriel)
Consult at the Oriel College porter’s lodge for the 4-digit passcode to enter the Harris Seminar Room.
Schedule for Trinity Term 2026
Week 2
Nathanael Vette (KCL), “By Way of Sidon through the Decapolis” (Mark 7:31): Mark’s Jesus and the Restoration of the Land of Israel.”
Week 3
Hywel Clifford (Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford), “”God who is one” (Philo, Opif. 100): Presocratic philosophy in early Jewish exegesis.”
Week 4 (no session)
No session.
Week 5 (no session)
No session.
Week 6 (no session)
No session.
Week 7 (no session)
No session.
Week 8
Céline Debourse (Harvard University), ‘Doing the Tablet’: Grappling with Ritual Text in First Millenium BCE Mesopotamia.
Seminars in Previous Academic Years
Other Events
19 JANUARY TO 15 JUNE
Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Seminar
