Gary Rendsburg, PhD

Gary A. Rendsburg, Ph.D.

Brief Bio

Gary A. Rendsburg serves as the Blanche and Irving Laurie Chair in Jewish History and holds the rank of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University, New Jersey, U.S.A.  His teaching and research focus on ‘all things ancient Israel’ – primarily language and literature, though also history and archaeology.  His secondary interests include ancient Egypt, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and medieval Jewish history.

Prof. Rendsburg is the author of seven books and more than 200 articles.  His most recent book is How the Bible Is Written (Hendrickson, 2019), with particular attention to the use of language to create literature.  

In addition, he has produced two series for the Great Courses program, one on ‘The Book of Genesis’ and one on ‘The Dead Sea Scrolls’; plus he lectures regularly for Smithsonian Associates, One Day University, the Biblical Archaeology Society, and other adult education venues.

Prof. Rendsburg has visited all the major archaeological sites of Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, plus he has excavated at Tel Dor and Caesarea.  

During his career, Prof. Rendsburg has served as visiting professor or visiting research scholar at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Sydney, the Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University, the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome), the University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, and the Getty Villa.