Biography
My research interests are mainly in ancient Judaism and the New Testament. I am particularly fascinated by the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ways that this archaeological discovery changes our understanding of intellectual trends and patterns in the Second Temple period. My newest book titled "Qumran Wisdom and the New Testament" is currently in production with Cambridge University Press and will appear in early 2023. This book offers interrelated studies on sections of James, Matthew and the Pauline Letters to explore resonances with Jewish wisdom motifs broadly conceived.
In terms of my biography, my journey to Ireland followed an international path, from Portland, Oregon (BA), to Jerusalem (MA), and then Durham University, UK (Ph.D.) where I worked with Loren Stuckenbruck. Following a post-doctoral period at Durham University I received an Alexander von Humboldt award which was taken up in Τübingen, Germany where I worked in the Institut für antikes Judentum und hellenistische Religionsgeschicte. I began at Trinity College Dublin in 2007.
As a historian, I seek to bridge what I perceive to be a gap between textual and material (archaeological) approaches to the study of antiquity. In the course of my career I have regularly volunteered at archaeological excavations, including twice at Qumran. I have since held fellowships at the American School of Oriental Research (Albright Institute) in Jerusalem; once with an award from the National Endowment for the Humanities (2012/13) and again as a Senior Fellow (2017). In 2020 I spent a research period at Bar Ilan University where I collaborated with colleagues working in Qumran studies.
I am presently accepting applications from prospective Ph.D. students who are interested to research in early Jewish studies, and especially the intersection of Second Temple Judaism and New Testament literature.
In the School of Religion, I am co-founder and current Director of the Trinity Centre for Biblical Studies and am Programme Coordinator for our B.A. Honours in Religious Studies. My undergraduate teaching consists of the following modules:
Semester 1 Jewish Thought and Practice (REU12731), Paul and Palestinian Judaism (REU33113), and co-teaching Introducing the New Testament (REU12112);
Semester 2 The Historical Jesus and the Gospels (REU22111), The Dead Sea Scrolls (REU44722), and co-teaching Introducing the Hebrew Bible (REU12101)
Supervision Students:
Irene Barbotti (1st year Ph.D.) Simon Brummer (1st year Ph.D.) Leszek Lech (4th year Ph.D.) Jadesmon Saragih (1 year Ph.D.) Jesse Sykes (2nd year Ph.D.)
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Psalms, Hymns and Prayers and the New Testament in, editor(s)Loren T. Stuckenbruck, Ron Herms, Archie Wright , The New Testament in its Second Temple Period Context monograph series, introductory volume, Eugene, OR, Cascade Press, 2023, pp1-12 , [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Qumran Wisdom and the New Testament: Exploring Early Jewish and Christian Textual Cultures, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2023, 1 - 325pp
Israel's Scriptures in the New Testament: Wisdom in, editor(s)Matthias Henze & David Lincicum , The Old Testament in the New: Israel's Scriptures in the New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings, Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans, 2022, pp1-18 , [Benjamin Wold]
Debt Remission and the Matthean Lord's Prayer in, editor(s)Beth Langstaff, Michael Tilley and Loren T. Stuckenbruck , The Lord's Prayer: Origins, Significance, and Reception, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2022, pp1-25 , [Benjamin Wold]
"Fleshly Spirit" and "Vessel of Flesh" in 4QInstruction and the Thanksgiving Hymns in, editor(s)James Aitken, Hector Patmore and Ishay Rosen-Zvi , The Evil Inclination in Early Judaism and Christianity, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2021, pp49 - 64, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, "Mystery" in the Wisdom of Solomon and 4QInstruction, Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 31, (1), 2021, p28 - 47
Benjamin Wold, "Ḥokma of the Hands" in Early Jewish Sapiential Tradition and the Letter of James, Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 30, (2), 2020, p74 - 86
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 30, 1, (2020), 1-56p, Benjamin Wold & Daniele Pevarello, [eds.]
Benjamin Wold, Pope Francis on "Lead Us Not Into Temptation": Historical and Linguistic Comments, SEARCH, 43, (1), 2020, p35 - 39
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 30, 2, (2020), 59 - 114p, Benjamin Wold & Daniele Pevarello, [eds.]
Benjamin Wold, Sin and Evil in the Letter of James in Light of New Qumran Discoveries, New Testament Studies (Cambridge University Press), 65, (1), 2019, p78 - 93
Old Testament Context: Insights from the Dead Sea Scrolls in, editor(s)D. Allen & S. Smith , Methodology in the Use of the Old Testament in the New, London, T & T Clark, Library of New Testament Studies, 2019, pp115 - 126, [Benjamin Wold]
Words of the Luminaries and John's Plague Septets in, editor(s)B. Blackwell & J. Maston , Reading Revelation in Context: John's Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 2019, pp131 - 137, [Benjamin Wold]
Book of Genesis in, editor(s)D. M. Gurtner and L. T. Stuckenbruck , Companion to Second Temple Judaism, London, T & T Clark, 2019, pp1-8 , [Benjamin Wold]
James in the Context of Jewish Wisdom in, editor(s)Eric S. Mason & Darian R. Lockett , Reading the Epistle of James: A Resource for Students, Atlanta, GA, SBL Press, 2019, pp73 - 86, [Benjamin Wold]
Wisdom in the New Testament in, editor(s)M. J. Goff and S. Adams , The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Wisdom Literature, Hoboken, NJ, Wiley-Blackwell, 2019, pp351 - 367, [Benjamin Wold]
4Q174 (Florilegium) 4Q175 (Testimonia) in, editor(s)R. Herms, B. Embry, A. Wright , Early Jewish Literature: An Anthology, Eerdmans, 2018, pp1-10 , [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, 4QInstruction: Divisions and Hierarchies, STDJ 123, Leiden, Brill, 2018, 1 - 246pp
Benjamin Wold, "基于库姆兰的新发现对《雅各书》的重新解读" ("James in Light of New Qumran Discoveries"), Journal for the Study of Biblical Literature (圣经文学研究), 18, (1), 2018, p1-15
Benjamin Wold, Reading Messiah Texts Afresh? Comments on Matthew Novenson's "Grammer of Messianism", Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus, 16, (2), 2018, p243 - 249
Instruction in, editor(s)George J. Brooke and Charlotte Hempel , Campanion to the Dead Sea Scrolls, T & T Clark (Bloomsbury Companions), 2018, pp318 - 319, [Benjamin Wold]
Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 41, 1, (2018), 1 - 138p, Benjamin Wold, [editor]
Benjamin Wold, Universal and Particular Law in James and Early Judaism, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 41, (1), 2018, p95 - 106
Benjamin Wold, Is the 'Firstborn Son' in 4Q369 a Messiah? The Evidence from 4QInstruction, Revue de Qumran, 29, (1/109), 2017, p3 - 20
Apocalyptic Thought in the Epistles of Colossians and Ephesians in, editor(s)Benjamin Reynolds and Loren Stuckenbruck , Jewish Apocalyptic Tradition and the Shaping of the New Testament, Minneapolis, Fortress Press, 2017, pp291 - 310, [Benjamin Wold]
Demonizing Sin? The Evil Inclination in 4QInstruction and the Dead Sea Scrolls in, editor(s)Chris Keith and Loren Stuckenbruck , Evil in Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity, Tuebingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2016, pp34 - 48, [Benjamin Wold]
Teacher of Righteousness, Eric Orlin, et al., Routledge Dictionary of Ancient Mediterranean Religions, 2016, pp1 , [Benjamin Wold]
Apotropaic Prayer and the Matthean Lord's Prayer in, editor(s)B. Wold, J. Dochhorn, S. Rudnig-Zelt , Evil, the Devil, and Demons: Dualistic Characteristics in the Religion of Israel, Ancient Judaism, and Christianity, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2016, pp90 - 101, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Genesis 2-3 in Early Christianity and 4QInstruction, Dead Sea Discoveries, 23, (3), 2016, p329 - 346
Jesus among Wisdom's Representatives in, editor(s)Loren Stuckenbruck and Gabriele Baccaccini , Enoch and the Synoptic Gospels: Reminiscences, Allusions, Intertextuality , Atlanta, SBL Press, 2016, pp317 - 336, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Jan Dochhorn, Susanne Rudnig-Zelt (eds.), Das Böse, Der Teufel, und Dämonen - Evil, the Devil, and Demons, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2016, 1 - 297pp
Benjamin Wold, "Flesh" and "Spirit" in Qumran Sapiential Literature as the Background to the Use in Pauline Epistles, Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft, 106, (2), 2015, p262 - 279
Exile in Second Temple and Hellenistic Judaism, Vol. 8 Essenes-Fedeism, Dale C. Allison, Jr., Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception, 8, Berlin, Walter de Gruyter, 2013, pp1-4 , [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, The Universality of Creation in 4QInstruction, Revue de Qumran, 26, (2/102), 2013, p211 - 226
Enosh ("Man") in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Heinz-Josef Fabry, Theologisches Wörterbuch zu den Qumranschriften, Band I, Stuttgart, Kohlhammer W., GmbH, 2012, pp241 - 247, [Benjamin Wold]
Ebion ("Poor") in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Heinz-Josef Fabry, Theologisches Wörterbuch zu den Qumrantexten, Band I, Stuttgart, Kohlhammer W., GmbH, 2012, pp13 - 17, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Agency and Raising the Dead in 4Q521 2 ii and 4QPseudo-Ezekiel, Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft, 103, (1), 2012, p1 - 19
The Eschatological Application of Exodus Plagues in John's Apocalypse in, editor(s)H. Lichtenberger, H.-J. Eckstein, C. Landmesser , Eschatologie - Eschatology: The Sixth Durham-Tübingen Colloquium, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2011, pp249 - 266, [Benjamin Wold]
The Eschatological Application of Exodus Plagues in Revelation 16 in, editor(s)H. Lichtenberger, H.-J. Eckstein, C. Landmesser (eds.) , Eschatology/Eschatologie: The Sixth Tübingen/Durham Symposium, Tuebingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2011, pp249 - 266, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Agents of Resurrection in 4Q521, 4QPseudo-Ezekiel, and the Saying Source Q, Judaism in Antiquity Seminar, Durham University, November 12, 2010, Robert Hayward, 16pp
Revelations Plague Septets: New Exodus and Exile in, editor(s)Florentino García Martínez , Echoes from the Caves: Qumran and the New Testament, Leiden, E. J. Brill, 2009, pp279 - 298, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Family Ethics in 4QInstruction and the New Testament, Novum Testamentum, 50, (3), 2008, p286 - 300
Benjamin Wold, Loren Stuckenbruck, Stephen Barton (eds.), Memory in the Bible and Antiquity, WUNT, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2007, 394 pgs., pls. i-vipp
Hermann Lichtenberger, 'History Writing and History Telling in First and Second Maccabees', Memory in the Bible and Antiquity, (WUNT), Mohr Siebeck, 2007, 95 - 110
Remembrance in the Dead Sea Scrolls: Exodus, Creation and Cosmos in, editor(s)B. Wold, L.T. Stuckenbruck, S. Barton , Memory in the Bible and Antiquity, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2007, pp47 - 74, [Benjamin Wold]
Benjamin Wold, Metaphorical Poverty in Musar leMevin, Journal of Jewish Studies, 58, (1), 2007, p140 - 153
Erhard Blum, 'Historiography or Poetry? The Peculiarities of Old Testament Prose Tradition', Memory in the Bible and Antiquity, (WUNT), Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2007, 25 - 46
Benjamin Wold, Women, Men and Angels: The Qumran Wisdom Document Musar leMevin and its Allusions to Genesis Creation Traditions, Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2005, 286 pgs, pls. i-ixpp
Benjamin Wold, Reconstructing and Reading 4Q416 2 ii 21: Comments on Menahem Kister's Proposal , Dead Sea Discoveries, 12, (2), 2005, p205 - 211
Benjamin Wold, Re-examining an Aspect of the Title Kyrios in Light of 4Q416 2 iii, Zeitschrift fuer die Neuetestamentliche Wissenschaft, 95, (3/4), 2004, p149 - 160
Research Expertise
Recognition
Representations
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, Sage Publishers, editorial board
Associate Editor, De Gruyter Open (Religious Studies)
External Examiner, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Department of Theology, Religious Studies, and Islamic Studies.
Awards and Honours
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin (FTCD)
Senior Associate Fellow - Albright Institute for Archaeological Research (Jerusalem)
Visiting Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Vice President, Irish Biblical Association
Honorary President, Theological Society (TCD)
National Endowment for the Humanities award
M.A. Jure officii, Trinity College Dublin
Alexander von Humboldt (Forschungsaufenthalt)
Alexander von Humboldt award
Lightfoot Scholarship, Durham University
Erasmus+ Ph.D. exchange to University of Tübingen, Germany (12-months)
Memberships
Society of Biblical Studies (SBL)
European Association of Biblical Studies
European Association of Jewish Studies
Enoch Seminar
British New Testament Society
International Organization of Qumran Studies (IOQS)