Kacper Jakub Ziemba serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Section of Biblical Exegesis at the Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen, specializing in Hebrew Bible studies and ancient Near Eastern historical contexts during the Persian period. His research spans Biblical Studies, Ancient Near Eastern History, and Cultural Transfer, with specific focus on migration narratives in the Hebrew Bible, Judean local elites pre-Maccabean crisis, and the Elephantine Jewish community. He employs interdisciplinary methodologies integrating textual exegesis with archaeological and historical evidence to analyze intercultural dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. Recent publications reveal consistent trends in examining human mobility and cross-cultural interactions through biblical and historical lenses. His work bridges exegetical analysis with socio-historical reconstruction, particularly regarding migration patterns, regional analogies, and Greco-Yehudite cultural exchanges during the Achaemenid era, frequently appearing in specialized journals like the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament.
Mette Christiansen serves as a Teaching Associate Professor in the Section of Biblical Exegesis at the University of Copenhagen, located at Karen Blixens Plads 16, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Her role encompasses academic instruction and research within biblical scholarship. Her research specializes in Biblical Exegesis, focusing on critical interpretation methodologies for both Old and New Testament texts. This work intersects with broader theological disciplines including hermeneutics, textual criticism, and historical context analysis within Religious Studies. Key subfields involve manuscript studies, linguistic analysis of ancient Hebrew and Greek, and comparative religious traditions. Contact is available via email mec@teol.ku.dk or phone +45 3533 1946.
Jesper Tang Nielsen serves as Guest Researcher in the Section of Biblical Exegesis and External Lecturer for the board of studies at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Theology. Previously, he held academic positions including Assistant Professor (2003-2006), Substitute Associate Professor (2006), and Associate Professor (2007-2009) in the Department of Biblical Exegesis (New Testament), and has been Head of Studies for the Faculty of Theology since 2010. His educational background includes: 1990: High School, Nørresundby Gymnasium 1999: M.Div., Aarhus Universitet 1999: Gold Medal at University of Aarhus for Gospel of John essay 1999-2003: Ph.D. student, Institute for Old and New Testament, University of Aarhus 2003: Ph.D., Aarhus Universitet Nielsen's research centers on the Gospel of John through semiotic and structuralist methodologies, with significant contributions to Johannine literature analysis and apocryphal studies. His work explores theological tensions between philosophical progression and tradition in Johannine texts, while expanding into biblical reception in art and cultural contexts as evidenced by his editorial projects on biblical configurations in contemporary culture. His publication trajectory (2018-2023) reveals consistent engagement with Johannine sources, integrating theoretical frameworks from semiotics while progressively examining the Bible's cultural manifestations beyond ecclesiastical settings. The 2023 doctoral thesis represents a culmination of his decades-long investigation into Johannine letters' relationship with the Gospel of John. Key recognitions include: University of Aarhus Gold Medal for Gospel of John essay (1999) Alexander-von-Humboldt Research Fellowship at Munich (2005) Alexander-von-Humboldt Research Fellowship at Berlin (2006) Nielsen has supervised doctoral candidates including Katrine Brix (2008) on 'The Gospel of Truth' and Kasper Dalgaard (2009) on 'Melchzedek'. His institutional service spans editorial boards of Bibliana (2000-2012), Dansk Teologisk Tidsskrift (2007-), and Studia Theologica (2007-), alongside committee memberships including Chairman of Ph.D. assessment panels and the Faculty of Theology Study Board (2009-). He actively participates in the Centre for the Study of the Bible in Theology and Culture and maintains international scholarly networks through past research appointments at Yale University and German institutions under Humboldt fellowships.
Robert Carl Rezetko serves as a Guest Researcher at the Section of Biblical Exegesis within the Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen. His scholarly work centers on critical analysis of biblical interpretation methodologies, with particular focus on Old Testament textual traditions and evangelical engagement with scripture. Rezetko's research investigates evangelical approaches to biblical authority, highlighting tensions between doctrinal commitments and historical-critical scholarship. He examines textual criticism practices, Genesis narrative structures (especially the Joseph story), and potential misapplications of scripture in contemporary contexts. His methodology bridges theological inquiry with philological precision, addressing hermeneutical challenges in evangelical circles while contributing to broader biblical scholarship. Analysis of his 2022-2023 publications reveals consistent thematic focus on evangelical scriptural interpretation, with three works exploring 'Misusing Scripture' through editorial and chapter contributions. His research demonstrates interdisciplinary engagement across theology, textual criticism, and religious studies, emphasizing historical context and methodological rigor in biblical analysis. Key patterns include critique of anachronistic readings, attention to manuscript evidence, and examination of how theological presuppositions shape exegesis.
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 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.
Jesper Høgenhaven serves as Professor of Old Testament Exegesis at the Section of Biblical Exegesis, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen, with academic contributions spanning biblical scholarship, Dead Sea Scrolls research, and apocalyptic literature studies since the 1980s. His educational foundation includes: 1983: cand. theol. (MA in theology) from University of Copenhagen and Odense University 1988: Dr. theol. from University of Copenhagen (dissertation: Gott und Volk bei Jesaja ) Research focuses on: Old Testament Theology & Hermeneutics : Inter-testamental relationships, reception history, and contemporary Christian relevance Dead Sea Scrolls : Qumran texts' role in ancient Judaism and biblical canon development Apocalypticism : End-time narratives across historical and modern contexts using Embodied Cognition approaches Recent publications (2021-2024) emphasize Dead Sea Scrolls analysis (dating methods, Danish scholarship), Old Testament theology (Isaiah studies, law/divinity concepts), and archaeometry collaborations, demonstrating interdisciplinary engagement with textual and material evidence. Høgenhaven leads the AMRAM project on Visions of Amram and organized major conferences (2017, 2023) on Qumran texts. His prior role as Scholarly Editor for the Copenhagen Dead Sea Scrolls Initiative (1997-2000) underscores sustained institutional contribution to the field.
Søren Holst serves as a Guest Researcher in the Section of Biblical Exegesis at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Theology, following his roles as Associate Professor (2008-2021) and part-time Associate Professor (2021-2024) in Biblical Studies. His academic trajectory spans biblical linguistics, Dead Sea Scrolls research, and historical Judaism, with active scholarly contributions through 2025. His educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of Copenhagen (2004), with the dissertation "Verbs and War Scroll: Studies in the Hebrew Verbal System and the Qumran War Scroll," and a Diploma in IT from the IT University of Copenhagen (2015). This dual expertise informs his textual analysis methodologies. Dr. Holst's research centers on Hebrew Bible philology, Qumran literature, and ancient Jewish religious practices, particularly examining linguistic structures in the War Scroll and historical development of Jewish liturgy. His work bridges philological precision with historical contextualization of Second Temple Judaism. Analysis of his 175+ publications reveals consistent focus on Dead Sea Scrolls interpretation, Hebrew verbal systems, and modern applications of biblical scholarship. Recent works explore Jewish prayer book origins, evangelical theology-practice integration, and creative biblical reception in contemporary contexts. He actively collaborates through projects like the AMRAM Research initiative (2021-2024) and Copenhagen Dead Sea Scrolls Initiative (1997-1999), while serving editorial roles for Bibliana and Religionspædagogisk Forum journals, demonstrating sustained institutional engagement beyond formal faculty positions.
Melissa Sayyad Bach serves as a Teaching Associate Professor in the Section of Biblical Exegesis at the Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen, specializing in the interdisciplinary nexus of biblical studies and cognitive sciences with primary focus on Dead Sea Scrolls and Old Testament interpretation. Her academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Theology (2021) and M.A. in Theology (2017), both from the University of Copenhagen, following postdoctoral research completed in 2021. Dr. Bach's research program integrates cognitive frameworks like Construal Level Theory with traditional exegetical methods to analyze religious cognition in ancient communities. She investigates apocalyptic authority structures, textual transmission mechanisms in Qumran literature, and material dimensions of biblical texts across historical periods. Her work reveals how cognitive processes shaped communal identity formation and interpretive stability in Second Temple Judaism, particularly through analysis of the Community Rule and Aramaic Enochic literature. Publication trends demonstrate consistent advancement of cognitive-historiographical approaches to biblical texts, with recent works examining loneliness/community dynamics, apocalyptic visions, and materiality of scripture. This interdisciplinary trajectory bridges religious studies, cognitive science, and social theory to reconstruct ancient religious experiences. Her scholarly recognition includes the Martesens Jubilæums Stipendie (2018). Conference leadership includes the Apocalypticism and Authority conference (2023) and Vision, Narrative, and Wisdom in Aramaic Texts symposium (2017). No information regarding student advising or research grants appears in available materials. Dr. Bach maintains active scholarly networks but no dedicated laboratories or formal research teams are documented.
Frederik Poulsen (born 1984) serves as Associate Professor of Old Testament at the Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen, where he leads the Section of Biblical Exegesis. Holding a PhD (2014) and dr.theol. (2019) from the same institution, his scholarly profile bridges historical exegesis with contemporary theological relevance, particularly through migration and diaspora frameworks. His educational trajectory culminated in doctoral research on Isaiah 42:1-9 and habilitation on exile in Isaiah, with formative visiting positions at Oxford, Jerusalem, Bonn, and Yale. Primary research domains include: (1) Exile as literary-theological theme across prophetic literature; (2) Biblical theology through canon/Septuagint studies; (3) Old Testament prophets (specializing in Isaiah); (4) Old Testament as Christian Scripture in liturgical contexts. Recent work examines diaspora communities in Egypt/Mesopotamia, return migration, and Esther narratives. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals concentrated exploration of migration in Genesis (Jacob/Joseph), Esther, and Daniel, increasingly connecting ancient texts to modern migration theory and Muslim-Christian dialogue. This interdisciplinary thrust aligns with his leadership in the Sapere Aude-funded "Divergent Views of Diaspora" project. His scientific recognition includes: The Nils Klim Prize (2020) Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters' Silver Medal (2020) As principal investigator, Poulsen directs major funded initiatives: the current "Divergent Views of Diaspora in Ancient Judaism" project (2022-2026, Independent Research Fund Denmark), preceded by "Stories in a Strange Land" (2018-2021, Carlsberg Foundation) and "Images of Exile" (2015-2017, Independent Research Fund Denmark). His advisory role encompasses PhD supervision and academic leadership within the Faculty of Theology.
