Prof. Dr. Matthijs de Jong, new professor of Old Testament Studies
The Protestant Theological University has appointed Prof. Dr. Matthijs de Jong as Professor of Old Testament Studies. On April 17, the synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands approved the appointment. This makes the Executive Board’s appointment official. De Jong will assume his new role on September 1.
De Jong: “As the most translated and most widely read book in the world, the Bible deserves to be studied at the highest level. My motivation is to highlight the uniqueness of the Hebrew Bible, because it contains a surprising richness that can challenge and deepen Christian theology. Think of themes such as creation, leadership, prophecy, the Sabbath, and suffering. I am convinced that in-depth historical and linguistic study of the Old Testament contributes to a vibrant conversation about the relevance of these texts for the church today. I look forward to dedicating myself to this at the PThU.”
About Matthijs de Jong
Matthijs de Jong conducted extensive research on prophecy in the Old Testament and the ancient Near East. At the Dutch-Flemish Bible Society, he played a major role in the *Bible in Plain Language* project as a specialist at the intersection of translation and exegesis, and led the revision of the New Bible Translation (NBV21). At VU University Amsterdam, he served as a distinguished professor of Bible translation. His recent research focuses on the relationship between creation and the Sabbath and the interpretive history of Job. He has also explored questions regarding the use of generative AI in Bible translation.
