About the Department

The Department of Bible at Bar-Ilan University is the largest academic program of Hebrew Bible studies in the world. Our outstanding faculty covers the full breadth of Hebrew Bible studies, and its members are leading contributors to research in the field. Our students come from all over the world and from diverse faiths and backgrounds to study in a warm, welcoming, and intellectually invigorating environment in the land of the Bible. 

Our international M.A. program is open to students from all countries who have a B.A. from an accredited institution and fluency in English. Experience in biblical studies and fluency in Hebrew are not required. Students can choose to start their studies in March or October each year. Learn more.

The department is dedicated to the teaching and critical study of the plain meaning of the text of the Hebrew Bible. The department also imparts tools for the study of the entire tradition of interpretation and commentary – the ancient translations, Second Temple literature, talmudic writings, and medieval and early modern rabbinic commentators. Study in the department allows students to conduct independent research in linguistic, historical, archaeological, literary, and theological approaches to the text.  

Our popular B.A. and M.A. programs offer students the basic skills of scholarship and prepare them for higher level research. Graduates of our Ph.D. program are productive scholars in Israel and abroad. We encourage potential students to propose research projects and to join in the research efforts of the department's faculty. Tanakh study at Bar-Ilan also qualifies students to teach Tanakh in the elementary and secondary school systems in Israel. Students wishing to do so may take courses in Bar-Ilan's School of Education alongside courses in our department.

Hundreds of students representing many sectors of Israeli society study in our courses. In recent years, these have been joined by a large contingent of students from abroad, most of whom are pursuing advanced degrees. The broad range of students and faculty form a warm, inviting scholarly community.