KU Leuven, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Bénédicte Lemmelijn
Professor of Old Testament
Dean, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Head, Centre for Septuagint Studies and Textual Criticism
Official University Profile: KU Leuven – Bénédicte Lemmelijn
Expertise: Old Testament; Hebrew Bible; Septuagint Studies; Textual Criticism; Redaction Criticism; Pentateuch; Exodus; Biblical Theology; Translation Techniques; Biblical Hermeneutics.
Member of Editorial Board of European Hebrew Journal
CURRICULUM VITAE
Academic Profile
Prof. Dr. Bénédicte Lemmelijn is Professor of Old Testament at KU Leuven, where she serves as Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. She is also Head of the Centre for Septuagint Studies and Textual Criticism and a member of the KU Leuven Institute LECTIO.
She graduated from KU Leuven with degrees in Religious Studies and Theology before earning her Ph.D. in Theology in 1997. Her doctoral dissertation examined the textual and redaction criticism of the Plague Narrative in Exodus 7:14–11:10 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Marc Vervenne.
Since joining the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Prof. Lemmelijn has developed an internationally recognized research profile in Old Testament studies, textual criticism, Septuagint research, and biblical translation. She has participated in numerous international research projects and has published extensively in leading scholarly journals and edited volumes.
She has served as a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (2021–2026) and has held several international academic leadership positions in biblical studies and higher education.
QUALIFICATIONS
B.A. in Theology (STB), KU Leuven.
M.A. in Religious Sciences, KU Leuven.
M.A. in Theology (STL), KU Leuven.
Ph.D. (Doctor in Theology), KU Leuven, 1997.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Professor of Old Testament, KU Leuven.
Dean, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven.
Head, Centre for Septuagint Studies and Textual Criticism.
Head, Interdisciplinary Centres, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies.
Member, LECTIO – KU Leuven Institute for the Study of the Transmission of Texts, Ideas and Images in Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Vice-Dean for International Relations, KU Leuven (2014–2019).
Member, Pontifical Biblical Commission (2021–2026).
Member, Scientific Council of AVEPRO.
Research Fellow, University of the Free State, South Africa.
RESEARCH
Prof. Lemmelijn’s research focuses on the textual history of the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint, with particular attention to textual criticism, redaction criticism, translation techniques, and the literary development of biblical texts.
A major focus of her scholarship concerns the Pentateuch, especially the Book of Exodus, as well as the relationship between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint. Her work combines philology, literary analysis, and theological interpretation to better understand the transmission and reception of biblical texts.
She directs several international research projects devoted to Septuagint studies, textual criticism, and biblical translation, contributing significantly to contemporary Old Testament scholarship.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Old Testament
Hebrew Bible
Septuagint Studies
Textual Criticism
Redaction Criticism
Pentateuch
Book of Exodus
Biblical Translation
Translation Techniques
Biblical Theology
Biblical Hermeneutics
Reception History
Ancient Biblical Manuscripts
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
Dean, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven.
Head, Centre for Septuagint Studies and Textual Criticism.
Member, Pontifical Biblical Commission.
Member, Scientific Council of AVEPRO.
Member, LECTIO – KU Leuven Institute.
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
A Plague of Texts? A Text-Critical and Redaction-Critical Study of Exodus 7:14–11:10.
Textual Criticism and the Septuagint.
The Books of Kings: Sources, Composition and Reception. (editor)
Interpreting the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint.
Numerous articles on textual criticism, Septuagint studies, biblical translation techniques, the Pentateuch, and the Book of Exodus published in leading international journals and edited volumes.
Her complete bibliography is available through the KU Leuven Research Portal.