Week 1
Vladimir Olivero (Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies), When Variants Speak: the Importance of Textual Criticism for Linguistics.
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 Michaelmas Term 2026 (weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, & 8), the Early Biblical Interpretation Seminar will take place on Thursdays from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Harris Seminar Room (Oriel College). 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: Hindy Najman (Oriel)
Consult at the Oriel College porter’s lodge for the 4-digit passcode to enter the Harris Seminar Room.
Schedule for Michaelmas Term 2026
Week 2
Hindy Najman (Oriel), Hermeneutics and Poetics.
Week 3 (no session)
No session.
Week 4
Shoni Lavie-Driver (New College), Latin and Greek in Rabbinic Literature.
Week 5
Professionalization sessions: AAR/SBL papers, 10:00-14:00; Rebekah Van Sant (Worcester).
Week 6 (no session)
No session.
Week 7 (no session)
No session.
Week 8
Hindy Najman (Oriel) and Cesár Merchan-Hamann (Bodleian Libraries), Reading Midrash: Weston Library session (registration required).
Mekhilta de-Rabi Yishma’el (ff. 152v). Bodleian Library MS. Marshall Or. 24. Catalogue Identifier: Neubauer 151 [text to be precirculated].
Seminars in Previous Academic Years
Other Events
12 OCTOBER TO 22 JUNE
Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Seminar
