Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024

Matthew Saunders

Matthew Saunders is a PhD student in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He researches the languages and literatures of the ancient Near East, especially Aramaic Studies, Ugaritic Studies, and Comparative Semitics.
Final DtrH Image DtrH: Books and Key Texts 8 min read

DtrH: Books and Key Texts

Matthew Saunders December 19, 2024
This post concludes a series on the Deuteronomistic History (DtrH), exploring its composition, themes, and key texts. From the covenantal foundations in Deuteronomy to the exile in Kings, DtrH integrates theological reflection with historical narrative. By examining its books, we gain insights into Israel’s covenantal journey and the development of biblical historiography.... Read More
DtrH Does DtrH even exist? 6 min read

Does DtrH even exist?

Matthew Saunders December 18, 2024
TL;DR: The Deuteronomistic History (DtrH) is a complex, multilayered biblical narrative often debated for its coherence and unity. Does it even exist? This post explores four key arguments for its unity—linguistic, thematic, historical, and literary—while acknowledging the nuanced, evolving scholarly perspectives that keep this discussion dynamic and ongoing.... Read More
Romer 2023 The Doyen of DtrH: Thomas Römer 10 min read

The Doyen of DtrH: Thomas Römer

Matthew Saunders December 18, 2024
This is the fourth post in our series on the Deuteronomistic History (DtrH). Here, we cover Thomas Römer's substantial contributions to understanding DtrH which have earned him the title of the doyen of Deuteronomistic scholarship. Römer argues for a Deuteronomistic “library” composed over three stages reflecting evolving historical and theological concerns. His model synthesizes earlier theories while offering a nuanced view of DtrH’s complex development.... Read More
Weinfeld DtrH: Five Further Developments 8 min read

DtrH: Five Further Developments

Matthew Saunders November 29, 2024
TL;DR: This post continues our exploration of major theories on the compositional and redactional history of the Deuteronomistic History (DtrH), from Martin Noth’s single exilic author, Frank Moore Cross’s double-redaction Josianic model, and Smend’s multiple exilic redaction model. In this post, we consider further developments by Nelson, Lohfink, Weinfeld, Levinson, and Knoppers.... Read More
SBL 2024 Talk ASOR and SBL 2024 5 min read

ASOR and SBL 2024

Matthew Saunders November 27, 2024
Last week, I attended the 2024 annual meetings of the American Schools of Overseas Research (ASOR) in Boston, MA, and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) in San Diego, CA. These back-to-back conferences were a highlight of my academic year, featuring groundbreaking research, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect with colleagues and friends in Near Eastern studies. Here's a few of the talks I attended as well as a brief summary of my research which I presented at SBL.... Read More
Sara Milstein: A (Brief) Literature Review 7 min read

Sara Milstein: A (Brief) Literature Review

Matthew Saunders October 26, 2024
TL;DR: Sara Milstein, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at UBC, will deliver the 2024 Samuel Iwry Lecture at Johns Hopkins on Monday, October 28, 2024. She works on the literary history of the HB, biblical and Mesopotamian law, ANE scribal culture, and Mesopotamian literature. In this post, I briefly review her three books in which she challenges traditional views on biblical law, highlights ancient scribal practices, and explores the evolution of the Gilgamesh epic.... Read More