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Martin Gustaf EhrensvärdView profile

Associate Professor

• Linguistic Dating of Biblical Texts
• Biblical Hebrew Syntax
• Semitic Philology
• +4 more

Martin Gustaf Ehrensvärd is an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Theology, specializing in Biblical Exegesis. With a PhD in Semitic Philology and professional certification as a coach (PCC), he brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his academic work. Coordinator of the master's programme in Religious Roots of Europe Teaching biblical and rabbinic Hebrew, classical Arabic, classical Syriac, and other Aramaic dialects Principal Investigator on the AI and Ancient Hebrew Texts project with computer scientist Anders Søgaard Co-author of the influential two-volume work "Linguistic Dating of Biblical Texts" (2008) Translator and editor of "Bibelen 2020" (The Bible 2020) Ehrensvärd's research focuses on linguistic dating of biblical texts, challenging traditional views that linguistic evidence can reliably date biblical compositions. He argues that stylistic choices rather than chronological development explain linguistic variations in biblical texts. His work has significantly contributed to debates about early Hebrew language history through analysis of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient texts. His methodology has evolved to incorporate modern computational techniques, as evidenced by his current project applying machine learning to study ancient Hebrew texts. This represents a significant shift in biblical scholarship, bringing cutting-edge technology to longstanding questions. Ehrensvärd has served as editor for several academic journals including Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament, Pennsylvania State University Press publications, and Hiphil Novum, demonstrating his standing in the academic community. His academic journey began with his dissertation at Aarhus University in 2002 titled "Studier i bibelsk hebraisk syntaks og datering" (Studies in Biblical Hebrew Syntax and Dating), which laid the foundation for his subsequent influential work in the field.

Kasper SiegismundView profile

Researcher

• Hebrew language
• The Old Testament
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• +10 more

Kasper Siegismund is a Guest Researcher and Postdoc at the Section of Biblical Exegesis within the Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen. Since June 2021, he has been working on the AMRAM project (Apocalypticism: Manuscripts, Rewriting, and Authority Management), investigating early apocalyptic literature with a focus on the Aramaic composition known as 'Visions of Amram' found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. His research explores the tension between divine control and human choice in ancient Jewish writings. Dr. Siegismund received his PhD in June 2018 from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen with a dissertation titled 'Studies in the Hebrew Verbal System: Hebrew as a System of Relative Tense and the Origins and Development of the Classical Consecutive Forms.' Prior to that, he earned his MA in Theology (cand.theol.) from the same institution in 2014. He has also completed practical theological pastoral education at Folkekirkens Pastoralseminarium in Copenhagen. His scholarly work spans biblical linguistics and theological interpretation, with particular expertise in Hebrew (biblical, inscriptions, Qumran, rabbinic) and Aramaic (primarily biblical and Qumran Aramaic). He also works extensively with other ancient Semitic languages including Syriac, Ethiopic, Ugaritic, Akkadian, and Arabic. His linguistic background extends to Indo-European languages, with reading knowledge of Gothic and Biblical Armenian in addition to Greek and Latin. His research consistently examines how grammatical structures convey theological concepts in ancient texts, particularly regarding divine sovereignty and human agency. Dr. Siegismund's recent publications reveal a cohesive scholarly trajectory focused on linguistic analysis of biblical texts. His work demonstrates methodological rigor in examining Hebrew verbal systems, Dead Sea Scrolls scholarship, and the interpretation of wisdom literature. A recurring thematic thread across his publications is the investigation of divine determinism and human choice in ancient Jewish thought, particularly as expressed through linguistic structures in biblical and apocryphal texts. Active researcher in the AMRAM project investigating early apocalyptic literature Contributor to digital edition of Amram manuscripts and commentary Author of multiple scholarly publications on Hebrew language and biblical interpretation Creator of educational resources including Hebrew grammar overviews and Classical Ethiopic materials Alongside his academic work, Dr. Siegismund has maintained pastoral ministry at Herstedøster Kirke, serving at 50% capacity from July 2019 to September 2021, and full-time from April 2024 to January 2025. His teaching experience includes courses on apocalyptic literature, wisdom literature, Old Testament studies, and language instruction in Biblical Hebrew and Classical Ethiopic, demonstrating his commitment to both scholarly research and practical theological education.

Geoffrey KhanView profile

Professor

• Semitic Linguistics
• Philology
• Hebrew
• +7 more

Professor Geoffrey Khan is the Regius Professor of Hebrew at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies . He holds a Ph.D. in Semitic Languages from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London , and has dedicated his career to philology, Semitic linguistics, and manuscript studies. Education: B.A. and Ph.D. in Semitic Languages (SOAS, University of London) Academic Leadership: Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics , Chairman of British Academy's Oriental and African Studies Section His research spans Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic linguistics , focusing on: Biblical Hebrew syntax and Tiberian pronunciation traditions (e.g., 2020 monograph on Masoretic vocalization) Neo-Aramaic dialectology , particularly endangered North-Eastern Neo-Aramaic dialects (2008-2016 fieldwork publications) Medieval Arabic documents (Fatimid period Nubia, Khurasan texts) Recent publications (2020-2024) emphasize comparative Semitic phonology , language contact in Western Asia , and manuscript-based historical analysis . His work combines empirical field research with critical text editions . 1998 : Elected Fellow of the British Academy at age 40 2004 : Lidzbarski Gold Medal for Semitic philology 2011 : Honorary Fellow of the Academy of the Hebrew Language 2014 : Fellow of Academia Europea 2017-2018 : Honorary doctorates from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Uppsala University Supervises Lina Brüssel on Medieval Karaite Transcriptions of Hebrew into Arabic Script . Current projects include Grammar of Biblical Hebrew updates for Oxford University Press and documenting Fatimid Nubia Arabic texts .

• Morphosyntax
• Pragmatics
• Gender Studies
• +5 more

RB Perelmutter is an Associate Professor of Slavic Languages & Literatures and Director of Jewish Studies at the University of Kansas. They hold a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UC Berkeley (2008). Their research focuses on morphosyntax, pragmatics, and discourse analysis of Slavic and Jewish languages, including Russian, Hebrew, and Yiddish. Key interests include gendered practices in online discourse, Jewish folklore, and the sociolinguistics of immigrant vernaculars. Education Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of California, Berkeley, 2008 Research Interests : Dr. Perelmutter explores how language constructs identity and culture, particularly in gendered online communities. Their work spans historical pragmatics (e.g., Old Russian chronicles) to contemporary digital discourse. They investigate multilingualism in Jewish communities and the role of folklore in negotiating cultural identity. Teaching : Courses on Yiddish language, Slavic morphosyntax, and Jewish folklore. Emphasis on connecting linguistic structures to cultural practices. Grants : Recipient of the University of Kansas New Faculty General Research Fund and General Research Fund. Labs/Teams : Affiliated with the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies and the Max Kade Center for German-American Studies.

Ken PennerView profile

Professor

• Early Judaism
• Early Christianity
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• +3 more

Ken Penner is Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at St. Francis Xavier University, with affiliations in Classical Studies and Catholic Studies. His interdisciplinary career spans Photogrammetry (British Columbia Institute of Technology), Computer Science (Simon Fraser University), and Biblical Studies (Columbia Bible College). He holds a Master of Christian Studies (Regent College) and MA/PhD in Religious Studies from McMaster University (specializing in Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity). Research focuses on Early Judaism and Christianity, with specialization in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Greek Isaiah, and Hebrew verbal aspect theory. Current projects include the Online Critical Pseudepigrapha (scholarly editions of Jewish non-canonical texts), the Megillot Dead Sea Scrolls discussion forum, and Flash! Pro vocabulary software for biblical languages. He is an active member of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies and Society of Biblical Literature. Publications include the edited volume Essays on Prayer and Poetry in the Dead Sea Scrolls (2011) and encyclopedia entries on Dead Sea Scrolls, Hebrew verbal systems, and biblical lexicography. His conference presentations address textual criticism, Septuagint studies, and ancient linguistic issues. Professional activities emphasize digital humanities and collaborative research, blending technical expertise with theological inquiry. Ongoing work examines the intersections between ancient Jewish thought and Greco-Roman contexts, particularly in eschatological and linguistic dimensions.

Aya Meltzer-AsscherView profile

Associate Professor

• Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Neurolinguistics
• +7 more

Prof. Aya Meltzer-Asscher is an Associate Professor at the Department of Linguistics and the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University. Her research focuses on real-time sentence processing, integrating behavioral and electrophysiological methods to study how humans process lexical-semantic and syntactic aspects of language, with a particular emphasis on Hebrew. She leads the Sentence Processing Lab, investigating how grammar shapes processing strategies and employs tools like ERP and fMRI. Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics, Tel Aviv University (2005–2010), supervised by Prof. Tal Siloni and Prof. Julia Horvath. M.A. in Linguistics, Tel Aviv University (2003–2004). B.A. in Computer Science and Linguistics, Tel Aviv University (1999–2002). Research Interests: Sentence processing, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, syntax-semantics interface, Hebrew syntax, aphasia, and neurocognitive mechanisms of language. Her work bridges theoretical linguistics with experimental and clinical approaches, exploring how grammatical structures influence real-time comprehension and production. Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Language, Cognition and Neuroscience , Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience , and Brain & Language . Her research highlights topics such as predictive processing, working memory in syntax, and neuroimaging of argument structure. Labs & Affiliations: Director of the Sentence Processing Lab , affiliated with the Sagol School of Neuroscience. Collaborates internationally on projects involving electrophysiology and neuroimaging.

Maayan KeshevView profile

Assistant Professor

• Psycholinguistics
• Sentence Processing
• Real-Time Language Processing
• +3 more

Maayan Keshev is an Assistant Professor (Senior Lecturer) in the Linguistics Department at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her research focuses on psycholinguistics, particularly how grammatical knowledge is applied during sentence processing in real-time. She investigates abstract syntactic representations and memory mechanisms involved in language comprehension, using methods such as eye-tracking and cognitive modeling. Educations: PhD in Linguistics from Tel-Aviv University Postdoctoral research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Her work bridges theoretical linguistics and experimental psychology, aiming to understand the interplay between syntax, memory, and real-time language processing. No specific grants or awards are mentioned in the provided text. She maintains an active research program with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to language cognition.

Rebecca Hasselbach-AndeeView profile

Professor

• Semitic Languages
• Historical Linguistics
• Typology
• +4 more

Rebecca Hasselbach-Andee is a Professor of Comparative Semitics at the University of Chicago. She specializes in the comparative study of Semitic languages, employing methodologies from Historical Linguistics, Typology, and Sociolinguistics. Her work focuses on reconstructing grammatical features of the Semitic language family, with particular attention to morphology, phonology, and syntax. Education: PhD in Semitic Philology from Harvard University (2004) Employment: Teaching at the University of Chicago since 2005, promoted to Associate Professor in 2012 Her research incorporates evidence from Akkadian, Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, Classical Ethiopic, and Old South Arabian to analyze Semitic case systems, gender/number marking, pronominal systems, and the use of the perfect tense for performatives. She has authored two major publications in the field. At the University of Chicago, Hasselbach-Andee teaches courses in Comparative Semitics, Classical Ethiopic (Ge‘ez), Old South Arabian, and Akkadian dialects including Old Akkadian and the Akkadian of the Amarna letters. Her expertise spans the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) and the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.

Willem van PeursenView profile

Professor

• Biblical Hebrew
• Syriac Studies
• Computational Linguistics
• +3 more

Prof. Willem van Peursen is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Religion and Theology and affiliated with the Network Institute. He holds dual expertise in Old Testament studies and computational analysis of ancient texts. His research focuses on Hebrew and Syriac biblical texts, leveraging Digital Humanities and AI advancements. Education: Masters in Theology & Semitic Languages (Leiden University, 1995), PhD (Leiden, 1999 cum laude) Postdoctoral work on Syriac Ben Sira (2000–2005) NWO-Vidi project (2005–2010) on Peshitta/Targum analysis Research interests include computational linguistic analysis of ancient texts, Syriac/Peshitta studies, and AI applications in biblical studies. He leads projects like 'Morphological Parser for Inflectional Languages Using Deep Learning' and 'Seeing The Words: Evaluating AI-generated Biblical Art'. Teaching includes Hebrew Bible exegesis, digital hermeneutics, Syriac language courses, and Bible translation in the digital age. His work contributes to UN SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through interdisciplinary collaborations.

Stanley DubinskyView profile

Professor

• Syntactic Theory
• Semantics
• Mathematical Linguistics
• +4 more

Stanley Dubinsky is a Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences. His work bridges syntactic theory, semantics, and sociolinguistic issues, with a focus on language and politics. PhD in Linguistics from Cornell University (1985) MA in East Asian Literature (Chinese) from Cornell University (1981) BA in East Asian Studies (Chinese) and Spanish and Latin American Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1978) His research spans syntactic theory, the syntax-semantics interface, and ethnolinguistic conflict. He explores how linguistic differences fuel political tensions and how language shapes identity. Recent work examines language education tools like Wordification® and historical syntax patterns in Classical Greek and Korean. Publications include empirical studies on Korean morphology and theoretical analyses of Russian non-referentiality, reflecting his interest in cross-linguistic variation and its sociopolitical implications. He actively investigates language's role in conflicts, such as the Israeli-Arab conflict and post-Soviet linguistic nationalism. Scientific Awards Finalist, Mungo Graduate Teaching Award (2007) Russell Research Award for Humanities and Social Sciences (2006) Finalist, Mungo Graduate Teaching Award (2006) Excellence in Teaching Award (Mortar Board, 2002) Sims Teaching Excellence Award (2002) Dubinsky co-leads the Language Conflict Project , analyzing linguistic distance in political conflicts, and the Wordification® Project , which develops spelling instruction tools for dialect speakers and non-native English learners.

Tal LinzenView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Syntax
• +3 more

Tal Linzen is an Associate Professor at New York University, holding dual appointments in the Department of Linguistics and the Center for Data Science. He is also a Research Scientist at Google. His research focuses on computational psycholinguistics, syntax, and the intersection of linguistics with deep learning. Linzen directs the Computation and Psycholinguistics Lab, which uses behavioral experiments and computational methods to study language processing and learning. Affiliations: NYU Linguistics, NYU Center for Data Science, Google Research Labs: Computation and Psycholinguistics Lab Education includes a Ph.D. in Linguistics from NYU (2015), M.A. and B.Sc. in Linguistics and Mathematics from Tel Aviv University. His work bridges cognitive science, neuroscience, and AI, exploring how neural networks model human linguistic abilities. Research interests span computational modeling of syntax, language acquisition, and evaluating neural networks' syntactic capabilities. Notable contributions include studies on language model surprisal, compositional generalization, and hierarchical inductive biases in neural networks. Awards include the Henry M. MacCracken Fellowship (2010–2015) and recognition as a finalist for the Excellence in Teaching Award at Johns Hopkins University (2019). Grants include NSF funding for projects on structural linguistic generalization and syntactic evaluation of neural networks. Linzen has advised over 10 PhD students, leading to academic positions at institutions like Colgate University and Yale.

• Language Evolution
• Cultural Evolution
• Animal Cognition
• +4 more

Dr. Limor Raviv is a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow's School of Psychology & Neuroscience and Group Leader of the LEADS Group at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics. Her research focuses on language evolution, cultural evolution, and cognitive pressures shaping linguistic diversity. She employs behavioral paradigms and computational models to explore communicative and cognitive factors influencing language structure. Affiliations: University of Glasgow (Lecturer), Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (Group Leader) Education: BSc in Mathematics & Cognitive Science (Hebrew University), MSc in Cognitive Science (Hebrew University), PhD in Psycholinguistics (MPI Nijmegen) Research interests include animal cognition, child development, AI, and open science. She leads the LEADS Group, advancing studies on self-domestication and language evolution through interdisciplinary methods. Her work bridges cognitive science, linguistics, and robotics, with publications in Nature Communications , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and others.

• Languages
• Manuscripts
• Writing Systems
• +1 more

Johan Lundberg is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow affiliated with the University of Oxford. His research focuses on languages, manuscripts, writing systems, and biblical exegesis. Current project: Recitation Recorded in Ink: Scribes, Dots and the Exegesis of the Syriac Psalms His recent work explores the intersection of Syriac language studies, textual analysis, and paleography, particularly examining how pausal dots and verse divisions influence grammatical interpretation in ancient manuscripts. He has contributed to the field of Biblical Studies through publications on Dead Sea Scrolls and Hebrew Bible textual criticism. Scientific Awards: Leverhulme Early Career Fellow

• Semantics
• Spatial Language
• Figurative Language
• +7 more

Dr. Joost Zwarts is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Language Sciences , Utrecht University. His research spans semantics , spatial language , figurative language , and prepositional semantics , with a focus on Kalenjin (a Nilotic language) and Biblical Hebrew . He actively explores conceptual visualization of word meanings and domain adjectives in metaphor analysis.

Vladimir OliveroView profile

Lecturer

• Biblical Hebrew
• Semitic Languages
• Textual Criticism
• +4 more

Vladimir Olivero serves as a Preceptor in Classical Hebrew at Harvard University's Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He teaches courses in Biblical Hebrew and other Semitic languages, maintaining regular office hours in Vanserg Hall on Harvard's Cambridge campus. His academic journey began with a BA and MA in Classics from the University of Milan, followed by advanced biblical language studies at the University of Oxford where he earned an MSt in Classical Hebrew Studies and a DPhil (PhD) in Oriental Studies. Olivero's research program focuses on the intersection of linguistics and textual criticism in the Hebrew Bible, with particular expertise in Septuagint translation techniques and the influence of Classical Greek literature on biblical translation. His scholarly approach consistently combines philological rigor with historical context, examining how cultural factors shaped biblical interpretation across different linguistic traditions. His work demonstrates deep engagement with both the linguistic details of Ancient Hebrew and the broader cultural frameworks of the Ancient Near East and Hellenistic worlds. His recent publications reveal a strong pattern of analyzing linguistic features of Biblical Hebrew from diachronic perspectives while examining cross-cultural translation practices. His studies of preposition usage, verbal constructions, and gender representation in Hebrew texts have contributed significantly to understanding the historical development of the language. His comparative work on how biblical texts were adapted for Greek-speaking audiences in Alexandria demonstrates the hybrid character of Hellenistic Jewish communities. Olivero has made notable contributions to reference works including lexical entries for the Historical and Theological Lexicon of the Septuagint and co-authoring "A Grammar of Ugaritic," a comprehensive textbook with over 150 exercises designed for first-year students. His Ugaritic Font Initiative project addresses practical needs for digital representation of ancient scripts in academic research. His academic service includes participation in scholarly organizations focused on Septuagint and cognate studies, with presentations at international conferences examining the relationship between biblical texts and classical literature. His interdisciplinary approach bridges linguistic analysis, textual criticism, and cultural history to provide nuanced insights into how ancient texts were transmitted and transformed across linguistic boundaries.