Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
Prof. Dr. Christian Frevel
Professor of Old Testament Studies
Faculty of Catholic Theology
Official University Profile: Ruhr University Bochum – Christian Frevel
Expertise: Old Testament Studies; Hebrew Bible; Pentateuch; Book of Numbers; History of Ancient Israel and Judah; Biblical Anthropology; Religion of Ancient Israel; Formation of Post-Exilic Judaism; Biblical Theology.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Academic Profile
Prof. Dr. Christian Frevel is Professor of Old Testament Studies at Ruhr University Bochum and one of the leading European scholars in Hebrew Bible and Old Testament studies. His research spans biblical exegesis, the history and religion of ancient Israel and Judah, the Pentateuch, and biblical anthropology.
After studying Catholic Theology, Oriental Studies, and Philosophy at the University of Bonn, he earned his doctorate in 1994 and completed his Habilitation in Old Testament Exegesis in 1998. Before joining Ruhr University Bochum in 2004, he served as Professor of Biblical Theology at the University of Cologne.
Alongside his position in Bochum, Prof. Frevel has been an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has also held numerous academic leadership roles, including Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology at Ruhr University Bochum. His scholarship combines literary, historical, archaeological, and theological approaches to understanding the Hebrew Bible and the religious history of ancient Israel.
QUALIFICATIONS
1982–1989
Studies in Catholic Theology, Oriental Studies, and Philosophy, University of Bonn.
1994
Doctorate (Dr. theol.), University of Bonn.
1998
Habilitation in Old Testament Exegesis (venia legendi), University of Bonn.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Since 2004
Professor of Old Testament Studies, Ruhr University Bochum.
2000–2004
Professor of Biblical Theology, University of Cologne.
1994–2000
Research Assistant, University of Bonn.
1990–1994
Research Associate, Chair of Old Testament, University of Bonn.
Extraordinary Professor, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Former Dean and Vice Dean, Faculty of Catholic Theology, Ruhr University Bochum.
Principal Investigator, CERES – Center for Religious Studies.
Member of the Board, German Society for the Exploration of Palestine.
RESEARCH
Prof. Frevel’s research focuses on the Hebrew Bible within its historical, literary, and religious contexts. His work investigates the Pentateuch—especially the Book of Numbers—the religion and history of ancient Israel and Judah, biblical anthropology, and the emergence of post-exilic Judaism.
A major aspect of his scholarship concerns the relationship between archaeology, material culture, and biblical texts. He has directed and participated in numerous collaborative research projects on purity traditions, monotheism, religious identity, and cultural interaction in the ancient Near East.
His interdisciplinary approach integrates biblical exegesis, archaeology, religious history, and anthropology to illuminate the development of Israelite religion and the formation of biblical literature.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Old Testament Studies
Hebrew Bible
Pentateuch
Book of Numbers
History of Ancient Israel and Judah
Religion of Ancient Israel
Biblical Anthropology
Post-Exilic Judaism
Biblical Theology
Biblical Archaeology
Ancient Near East
History of Religion
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
Professor of Old Testament Studies, Ruhr University Bochum.
Former Dean, Faculty of Catholic Theology.
Former Vice Dean, Faculty of Catholic Theology.
Principal Investigator, CERES – Center for Religious Studies.
Principal Investigator, Collaborative Research Centre “Metaphors of Religion.”
Member of the German Society for the Exploration of Palestine.
Extraordinary Professor, University of Pretoria.
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Geschichte Israels. Kohlhammer, 2018 (2nd revised edition).
Aschera und der Ausschließlichkeitsanspruch YHWHs. Bonn Biblical Studies.
Mit Blick auf das Land die Schöpfung erinnern.
Die Bücher Numeri.
Einleitung in das Alte Testament. (co-editor and contributor; multiple editions).
Biblische Anthropologie. (co-editor).
Author and editor of numerous books, commentaries, and peer-reviewed articles on the Hebrew Bible, the Pentateuch, biblical anthropology, ancient Israelite religion, archaeology, and Old Testament theology published by leading international academic presses.