Jonathan Kaplan
Associate Professor — Ph.D. 2010, Harvard University

Contact
- E-mail: jonathan.kaplan@austin.utexas.edu
- Phone: 512-471-9453
- Office: Calhoun (CAL) 413
- Office Hours: By appointment.
- Campus Mail Code: F9400
Interests
Hebrew Bible (with specific interest in Song of Songs, Daniel, and Jonah), Second Temple Judaism, Dead Sea Scrolls, Rabbinic Judaism, Midrash, Literary Theory, History of Biblical Interpretation, Utopian Studies
Biography
Dr. Jonathan Kaplan is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Judaism in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies and Director of the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. His research and teaching focus on the study of the Hebrew Bible and the history of its interpretation in the Second Temple and early Rabbinic periods. He is the author of My Perfect One: Typology and Early Rabbinic Interpretation of Song of Songs (Oxford University Press, 2015). He is currently writing a book on the interpretations of the Levitical Jubilee in ancient Judaism and Christianity. He will conduct research for this volume in summer 2021 and summer 2022 at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich while supported by a fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He is also writing a commentary on the Book of Daniel for the Oxford Biblical Commentary series. Previously, he was a Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Postdoctoral Associate in the Judaic Studies Program at Yale University.
Courses
HEB 380C • Bible In Hebrew IV
41135 • Fall 2022
Meets T 2:00PM-5:00PM PAR 10
MEL 380C • Targumic Aramaic
41725 • Fall 2021
Meets W 2:00PM-5:00PM RLP 2.402
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
63090-63119 • Fall 2021
Meets MW 10:00AM-11:00AM JGB 2.324
GC
ID
MEL 321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls-Wb
41435 • Spring 2021
Meets MWF 1:00PM-2:00PM
Internet; Synchronous
GC
(also listed as AHC 330, J S 364, MES 342)
MEL 383D • Exegetical Semnr: Heb Bible-Wb
41450 • Spring 2021
Meets M 2:00PM-5:00PM
Internet; Synchronous
HEB 380C • Bible In Hebrew IV-Wb
40010 • Fall 2020
Meets W 2:00PM-5:00PM
Internet; Synchronous
UGS 303 • Jerusalem-Wb
61230-61255 • Fall 2020
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM
Internet; Synchronous
GC
ID
CTI 304 • The Bible & Its Interpreters
28900 • Fall 2019
Meets TTH 2:00PM-3:30PM PAR 103
GCWr
(also listed as R S 315)
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
61190-61215 • Fall 2019
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM CAL 100
GC
ID
MEL F321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
82860 • Summer 2019
Meets MTWTHF 11:30AM-1:00PM MEZ 2.102
GC
(also listed as AHC F330)
MEL 321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
41165 • Spring 2019
Meets MWF 1:00PM-2:00PM RLP 1.106
GC
(also listed as AHC 330, CTI 375, HIS 364G, J S 364, MES 342, R S 353D)
CTI 304 • The Bible & Its Interpreters
29450 • Fall 2018
Meets TTH 11:00AM-12:30PM GDC 2.410
GCWr
(also listed as R S 315)
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
62910-62935 • Fall 2018
Meets TTH 3:30PM-5:00PM RLP 0.112
GC
ID
MEL 321 • Abraham & Abrahamic Religion
41200 • Spring 2018
Meets MWF 11:00AM-12:00PM WAG 208
EGCWr
(also listed as J S 363, MES 342, R S 353)
MEL 321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
41220 • Spring 2018
Meets MWF 10:00AM-11:00AM PAR 201
GC
(also listed as AHC 330, CTI 375, HIS 364G, J S 364, MES 342, R S 353D)
CTI 304 • The Bible & Its Interpreters
33945 • Fall 2017
Meets MWF 11:00AM-12:00PM CLA 0.106
GCWr
(also listed as R S 315)
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
62870-62880 • Fall 2017
Meets MW 1:00PM-2:00PM CLA 1.106
GC
ID
MEL 321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
41690 • Spring 2017
Meets MWF 1:00PM-2:00PM PAR 201
GC
(also listed as AHC 330, CTI 375, HIS 364G, J S 364, MES 342, R S 353D)
MEL 383C • Current Issues In Hebrew Bible
41760 • Spring 2017
Meets M 3:00PM-6:00PM CAL 422
(also listed as R S 386H)
MES 310 • The Bible & Its Interpreters
41735 • Fall 2016
Meets MWF 11:00AM-12:00PM GAR 0.128
GCWr
(also listed as CTI 304, R S 315)
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
62875-62885 • Fall 2016
Meets MW 1:00PM-2:00PM CLA 1.106
GC
ID
MEL F321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
84585 • Summer 2016
Meets MTWTHF 1:00PM-2:30PM GAR 1.126
GC
(also listed as AHC F330, HIS F364G, R S F353D)
MEL 383 • Hbrw Bible Doctoral Smnr III
40764 • Fall 2015
Meets W 3:00PM-6:00PM CAL 422
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
62230-62240 • Fall 2015
Meets MW 1:00PM-2:00PM CLA 1.104
GC
ID
MES F342 • Abraham & Abrahamic Religions
85489 • Summer 2015
Meets MTWTHF 1:00PM-2:30PM MEZ 2.118
EGC
(also listed as R S F353)
MEL 383 • Hebrew Bible Doct Smnr II
40860 • Spring 2015
Meets M 3:00PM-6:00PM CAL 422
MES 342 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
41065 • Spring 2015
Meets MWF 1:00PM-2:00PM PAR 301
GC
(also listed as AHC 330, HIS 364G, J S 364, R S 353D)
MEL 383 • Hebrew Bible Doctoral Smnr I
41957 • Fall 2014
Meets M 3:00PM-6:00PM CAL 422
(also listed as R S 386H)
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
64690-64700 • Fall 2014
Meets MW 1:00PM-2:00PM CLA 1.104
GC
MES F342 • Abraham & Abrahamic Religions
86350 • Summer 2014
Meets MTWTHF 1:00PM-2:30PM PAR 204
EGC
(also listed as R S F353)
MEL 321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
42271 • Spring 2014
Meets MWF 1:00PM-2:00PM GAR 2.128
GC
(also listed as AHC 330, HIS 364G, J S 364, MES 342, R S 353D)
MEL 383 • Aramaic Biblical Interpret
42335 • Spring 2014
Meets F 2:00PM-5:00PM CAL 422
(also listed as R S 387M)
MEL 383 • Hebrew Bible Doctoral Smnr III
42220 • Fall 2013
Meets M 3:00PM-6:00PM GAR 1.134
(also listed as R S 386H)
UGS 303 • Jerusalem
65745-65755 • Fall 2013
Meets MW 12:00PM-1:00PM CLA 1.106
GC
MES S342 • Abraham & Abrahamic Religions
86725 • Summer 2013
Meets MTWTHF 1:00PM-2:30PM CLA 0.106
EGC
(also listed as R S S353)
HEB 380C • The Bible In Hebrew IV
41555 • Spring 2013
Meets TH 3:30PM-6:30PM BEN 1.118
MEL 321 • The Dead Sea Scrolls
41790 • Spring 2013
Meets MWF 12:00PM-1:00PM BUR 224
GC
(also listed as HIS 364G, J S 364, MES 342, R S 353D)
HEB 380C • The Bible In Hebrew I
41345 • Fall 2012
Meets TH 3:30PM-6:30PM GAR 2.124
MEL 321 • Jerusalem
41583 • Fall 2012
Meets MWF 10:00AM-11:00AM PAR 101
(also listed as J S 363, MES 342, R S 358)
Publications
Monographs
My Perfect One: Typology and Early Rabbinic Interpretation of Song of Songs. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
“The Chronography of Daniel 9 and Jubilees in the Shadow of the Seleucid Era.” Journal of Ancient Judaism. 10.2 (2019): 116–135.
“The Credibility of Liberty: The Plausibility of the Jubilee Legislation of Leviticus 25 in Ancient Israel and Judah.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly81 (2019): 183–203.
“Jonah and Moral Agency.”Journal for the Study of the Old Testament43.2 (2019): 146–162.
“How Song of Songs Became a Divine Love Song.” Co-Authored with Aren M. Wilson-Wright. Biblical Interpretation: A Journal of Contemporary Approaches26 (2018): 334–51.
“Yôbel, A New Proposal.” Biblica 99.1 (2018): 109–16.
“The Song of Songs from the Bible to the Mishnah.” Hebrew Union College Annual 81 (2010/2013): 43–66.
“1 Samuel 8:11–18 as ‘A Mirror for Princes’.” Journal of Biblical Literature 131 (2012): 625–42.
“Comfort, O Comfort, Corinth: Grief and Comfort in 2 Corinthians 7:5–13a.” Harvard Theological Review 104 (2011): 433–45.
“The Mesha Inscription and Iron Age II Water Systems.” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 69 (2010): 23–29.
Edited Volumes
Angels, Watchers, Giants Reimagined in Early Judaism, Christianity and Islam.Co-edited with Kelley Coblentz Bautch. Special Issue of Henoch: Historical and Textual Studies in Ancient and Medieval Judaism and Christianity44.2 (2019): 181–264.
Death and Afterlife Traditions in Ancient Judaism. Co-edited with Kelley Coblentz Bautch. Special issue of Journal of Ancient Judaism 10.1 (2019): 1–114.
Imagination, Ideology, and Inspiration: Echoes of Brueggemann in a New Generation. Edited with Robert Williamson, Jr. Hebrew Bible Monographs 72. Sheffield: Sheffield-Phoenix Press, 2015.
Essays in Edited Volumes
“Pastiche, Hyperbole, and the Composition of Jonah’s Prayer.” Pages 27–42 in Petitioners, Penitents, and Poets: Prayer and Praying in Second Temple Times. Edited by Ariel Feldman and Timothy Sandoval. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 524. Berlin: De Gruyter, expected September 2020.
“Mysticism, Martyrdom, and Disputation: Rabbi Akiva and the ‘Beginning’ of Rabbinic Interpretation of Song of Songs.” Pages 287–310 in The Song of Songs in its Context: Words for Love, Love for Words. Edited by Pierre Van Hecke. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium 310. Leuven: Peeters, 2020.
“Introduction.” With Kelley Coblentz Bautch. Pages 181–87 in Angels, Watchers, Giants Reimagined in Early Judaism, Christianity and Islam.Co-edited with Kelley Coblentz Bautch. Special Issue of Henoch: Historical and Textual Studies in Ancient and Medieval Judaism and Christianity44.2 (2020).
“Introduction.” With Kelley Coblentz Bautch. Pages 2–3 in Death and Afterlife Traditions in Ancient Judaism. Edited by Jonathan Kaplan and Kelley Coblentz Bautch. Special issue of Journal of Ancient Judaism 10.1 (2019).
“The Holy of Holies or the Holiest? Rabbi Akiva’s Characterization of Song of Songsin Mishnah Yadayim3:5.” Pages 63–81 in “It’s better to hear the rebuke of the wise than the song of fools” (Qoh 7:5): Proceedings of Midrash Section, Society of Biblical Literature, Volume 6. Edited by W. David Nelson and Rivka Ulmer. Judaism in Context 18. Piscataway, N.J.: Gorgias Press, 2015.
“Imperial Dominion and Israel’s Renown: ‘The Four Empires’ in Mekilta deRabbi Ishmael.” Pages 189–202 in Imagination, Ideology, and Inspiration: Echoes of Brueggemann in a New Generation. Edited by Jonathan Kaplan and Robert Williamson, Jr. Sheffield: Sheffield-Phoenix Press, 2015.
“Introduction.” With Robert Williamson, Jr. Pages 1–8 in Imagination, Ideology, and Inspiration: Echoes of Brueggemann in a New Generation. Edited by Jonathan Kaplan and Robert Williamson, Jr. Sheffield: Sheffield-Phoenix Press, 2015.
Graduate Students
Current Students
Former Students
Joshua Sears (Ph.D. 2018) is currently an assistant professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. His research interests include Hebrew Bible, Israelite prophecy, and Second Temple biblical interpretation. His dissertation, 'An Ancestral Custom of Ours': Second Temple Interpretations of Polygyny in Biblical Narrative, was supervised by Jonathan Kaplan. Dr. Sears's Academia.edu profile may be accessed here.
Daniel Wang (Ph.D. 2018) previously studied at Rice University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His interests include Hebrew Bible, Ritual Studies, and Early Jewish Interpretation. His dissertation, Circumcision as a Kinship Ritual in Ancient Israel, explores the social function of circumcision in the non-Priestly texts of the Hebrew Bible, particularly as it relates to kinship construction.
“I would not have been able to complete my dissertation without Dr. Kaplan’s guidance and assistance. His encouragement as well as his insistence for clear argumentation were vital from the beginning of the my research project until the end. I could not have hoped for a better doctoral advisor.”
Dr. Wang's Academia.edu profile may be accessed here.
Jack Weinbender (Ph.D. 2019) previously studied at Emmanuel Christian Seminary and Johnson University. His areas of focus are Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Judaism, Social and Cultural Memory theory and Digital Scholarship. His dissertation is entitled Remembering and Rewriting: Reframing Rewritten Bible through Memory Studies. His Humanities Commons page may be accessed here.