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Leonard J . Greenspoon, BA, PhD

Professor

Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization

Leonard Greenspoon

Contact

ljgrn@creighton.edu
College of Arts and Sciences
Theology
Classics
Classical and Near Eastern Studies
Klutznick
DHHC - Dowling Hall/Humanities Center

Leonard J . Greenspoon, BA, PhD

Professor

Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization

Leonard Greenspoon was born in Richmond, VA.  He received his BA and MA from the University of Richmond in classical studies.  After teaching elementary school for two years, he enrolled at Harvard from which he received a PhD.  He taught religious studies for 20 years at Clemson University and then came to Creighton University, where he has been on the faculty for two decades.  He teaches in the Department of Theology and the Program in Classical & Near Eastern Studies.  He also holds the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization.  Greenspoon is married with two daughters and two grandchildren.  He has published or edited over 30 books and has about 300 articles/book chapters/major encyclopedia entries in press.  He has edited or co-edited three journals and served as an officer of an international scholarly organization.  He is active in the Omaha Jewish community especially in connection with adult education.  He has spoken widely to scholarly and popular audiences in over 30 countries on four continents.  In recognition of these activities, he was honored with a Festschrift in summer 2018.

Teaching Interests

  • Ancient language, 2nd Temple Judaism, versions (translations) of the Bible

Research Focus

Hellenistic Judaism, Biblical Studies,  Jewish Studies, Bible versions (translations), religion and popular culture

Department

Theology

Position

Professor

Books

  • Jewish Publication Society
    Commentary on the Biblical Book of Joshua 2020
  • Jewish Publication Society
    Monograph on Jewish translations of the Bible 2019
  • Brill
    Textual and Translation Issues in Greek Exodus. In Thomas B. Dozeman, et al. (Ed.), The Book of Exodus: Composition, Reception, and Interpretation. 2014
  • Society of Biblical Literature Press
    The KJV and Anglo-Jewish Contributions to the Bible: A Unique and Uniquely Fruitful Connection. In David G. Burke, et al. (Ed.), The King James at 400: Assessing Its Genius as Bible Translation and Its Literary Influence , p. 273-295 2013
  • Bloomsbury
    The Hebrew Bible. In Dean Bell (Ed.), Bloomsbury Companion to Jewish Studies , p. 25-56 2013
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    The Holy Bible: A Buyer's Guide. Washington, DC 2013
  • New Essays in American Jewish History
    Greenspoon, Leonard When Harry met Max, p. 289-304 2010
  • The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Septuagint 2010
  • Translation That Openeth the Window: Reflections on the History and Legacy of the King James Bible
    Greenspoon, Leonard The King James Bible and Jewish Bible Translations, p. 123-138 2009
  • A History of biblical interpretation
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Hebrew into Greek: interpretation in, by, and of the Septuagint, p. 80-113 2003

Articles

  • Oxford University Press
    Connections between the land of Egypt and the Hebrew Bible during the Ptolemaic period (300 - 5 BCE) 2020
  • Jewish Annotated Apocrypha
    Discusses the relevance of the Septuagint for studying the books of the Apocrypha 2020
  • Mormon Publishing House
    An overview of Jewish Humor aimed at an audience of Mormons 2019
  • Routledge
    A survey of cultural and social movements within the period of the Hebrew Bible 2019
  • Oxford Handbook to the Bible in American Popular Culture
    Discusses how and when the Bible has been a topic or subject in the comic strips 2018
  • Journal of Religion & Society Supplement Series
    Analysis of secular Jews and Judaism
    vol. 17, p. 167-174 2018
  • Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies
    Study of Septuagint research in the United States
    vol. 50, p. 1-6 2018
  • The Torah
    Discusses whether the Biblical word "covet" involves a feeling or an action, p. 15 2018
  • Oxford University Press
    The influence of the Septuagint on the writing and interpretation of the New Testament 2017
  • Open Theology
    Highlights importance of commentaries in Jewish Bible versions
    vol. 2, p. 476-493 2016
  • Zondervan
    Forward for a volume titlede NEAR CHRISTIANITY 2016
  • Sheffield Phoenix Press
    Shared heroic features by Vashti, Ruth, and Naomi, p. 20-29 2016
  • Oxford University Press
    Bibliographical study of published works on Jewish Bible translation 2016
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. The New Cambridge history of the Bible: v.1: From the beginnings to 600 [REVIEW]
    51, p. 657-657 2013
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. Text, image, and otherness in children's Bibles: what is in the picture?
    50, p. 1071-1071 2013
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. Abrahamic religions: on the uses and abuses of history [Review]
    50, p. 1852-1853 2013
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. Handbook of women Biblical interpreters: a historical and biographical guide [Review]
    50, p. 1214-1214 2013
  • Near Eastern Archaeology
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible [Review]
    76, p. 56-57 2013
  • The Afterlife in the Septuagint. In Harold Ellens (Ed.), Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife: Eternity in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
    Volume 1, p. 43-59 2013
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. 1. The Jefferson Bible: the life and morals of Jesus of Nazareth extracted textually from the Gospels in Greek, Latin, French & English
    49, p. 1279-1279 2012
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. 1. Revelations: visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of Revelation
    49, p. 2078-2078 2012
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. A dictionary of Bible plants [Review]
    50, p. 48-49 2012
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. 1. Tanak: a theological and critical introduction to the Jewish Bible
    49, p. 1666-1667 2012
  • Choice
    Greenspoon, L. J. 1. Manifold greatness: the making of the King James Bible
    49, p. 1078-1078 2012
  • THE JPS TORAH AT FIFTY: A Celebration of a Translation and a Translator. Philadelphia, PA 2012
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Exactly Who Are the Salt of the Earth?
    37, p. 19-19 2011
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Did Jehoshaphat Really Jump?
    37, p. 15-15 2011
  • Hebrew Studies
    Greenspoon, Leonard Not in an Ivory Tower: Zev Garber and Biblical Studies
    51, p. 369-373 2010
  • Hebrew Studies
    Greenspoon, Leonard Studies in the Greek Bible: Essays in Honor of Francis T. Gignac [review]
    51, p. 392-394 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: Answers to Cain's questions
    36 2010
  • Catholic Biblical Quarterly
    Greenspoon, Leonard A History of Bible Translation[review]
    72, p. 876-877 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: Turn, turn, turn
    36 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Temple Mount Repairs Leave Eyesores
    36, p. 6-74 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Behold the Beasts
    36, p. 71-74 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: Lost and Found
    36 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: A servant's dilemma
    36 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: Nothing new under the sun
    36 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: Lazarus lives again
    36 2010
  • Creighton Magazine
    Greenspoon, Leonard Money and the Bible, p. 14-17 2010
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Bible in the news: A load of Biblical bull[ion]
    35 2009
  • Bible Study Magazine
    Greenspoon, Leonard Humor in the Bible: Book of Esther 2009
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The taming of the two: Queen Esther and Queen Vashti in Midrash, p. 155-169 2009
  • Bible Study Magazine
    Greenspoon, Leonard Septuagint 2009
  • Creighton Magazine
    Greenspoon, Leonard The Making of a Symposium: Annual Conference on Jews/Judaism Features World Scholars, Unique Topics 2009
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    Greenspoon, Leonard From Dominion to Stewardship? The Ecology of Biblical Translation, p. 159-183 2008
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    33, p. 16-16 2007
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    33, p. 16-16 2007
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    33, p. 14-14 2007
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    33, p. 14-14 2007
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    33, p. 14-14 2007
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    32, p. 12-12 2006
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the News
    32, p. 12-12 2006
  • Currents in Biblical Research
    Greenspoon, Leonard The book of Joshua. Part 1: Texts and versions
    3, p. 229-261 2005
  • BR
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the news
    21, p. 8-10 2005
  • BR
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. The Bible in the news
    21, p. 9 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. The Essential evangelical parallel Bible
    31, p. 190 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Traditions of the Rabbis from the era of the New Testament. Volume I: Prayer and agriculture
    31, p. 201 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. The Septuagint version of Isaiah and cognate studies
    31, p. 195 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. A textual history of the King James Bible
    31, p. 200 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Mikra: Text, translation, reading & interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in ancient Judaism & early Christianity
    31, p. 191 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. The suffering servant: Isaiah 53 in Jewish and Christian sources
    31, p. 195 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Messianism and the Septuagint: Collected essays
    31, p. 198 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Joshua to Chronicles: An Introduction
    31, p. 194 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Inscriptiones Judaicae Orientis. Volume 1: Eastern Europe
    31, p. 190 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Abraham's promise: Judaism and Jewish-Christian relations
    31, p. 179 2005
  • Religious Studies Review
    Greenspoon, L. Palestine in the fourth century A.D.: The Onomasticon by Eusebius of Caesarea
    31, p. 210 2005

Publications

  • Purdue University Press
    Fashioning Jews: Clothing, Culture, and Commerce (vol. Studies in Jewish Civilization series
    Volume 24 2013
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    The Bible in the News: How the Popular Press Relates, Conflates and Updates Sacred Writ 2013
  • Purdue University Press
    Jews in the Gym: Judaism, Sports, and Athletics (vol. Studies in Jewish Civilization series
    Volume 23 2012

Editing and Reviews

  • Purdue University Press
    Proceedings of 30th annual Symposium on Jewish Culture 2019
  • Purdue University Press
    proceedings from 28th annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization
    28 2017
  • Purdue University Press
    proceedings of 27th annual Symposium on Jewish Civlization
    27 2016
  • Purdue University Press
    proceedings of 26th annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization
    26 2015
  • Biblical Archaeology Review
    Greenspoon, Leonard J. Biblical Comics No Laughing Matter
    37, p. 64-65 2011
  • The Classical Bulletin
    Greenspoon, Leonard [Review of] The Cambridge Companion to Philo, edited by Adam Kamesar
    85, p. 140 2010

General

  • Purdue University Press
    Proceedings of 29th annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization
    29 2018

Presentations

  • Association of Jewish Studies, annual meeting, "Are These Versions Jewish? Bibles at the Borders," 2013
  • Bible Fest 2013, "Humor in the Bible," Biblical Archaeology Society 2013
  • International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (IOSCS), annual meeting, "Introduction to J. Ross Wagner's "Reading the Sealed Book: Old Greek Isaiah and the Problem of Septuagint Hermeneutics"," IOSCS, Baltimore, MD. 2013
  • Society of Biblical Literature, annual meeting, "Esther, Vashti, Ruth, and Naomi: Kindred Heroines in Megillot," Society of Biblical Litearture 2013
  • Society of Biblical Literature, annual meeting, "Jon D. Levenson: The Early Years," Society of Biblical Litearture, Baltimore, MD 2013
  • Bible Translation Conference 2013, "Excellence in Jewish Bible Translation," SIL/ABS, Dallas, TX 2013
  • Midwest Jewish Studies Association annual meeting, "The "Art" of Jewish Bible Translations," Midwest Jewish Studies Association 2013
  • World Congress of Jewish Studies, meets every three years, "Jewish Bible Translations: Why They Should Be Studied"," World Union of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, Israel. 2013
  • The Bible, the Economy, & the Poor, ""God Stands Together with the Poor": How Jews Viewed Poverty and Aided the Poor in the Post-Biblical Period"," Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society 2013
  • The JPS Torah at FIfty, "THE JPS AT FIFTY: A Celebration of a Translation and a Translator," Jewish Publication Society, New York, NY 2012
  • annual meeting, "Where the Jews Are--and Aren't--in Translations of the Hebrew Bible," National Association of Professors of Hebrew, Chicago, IL. 2012
  • 14th Annual Batchelder Conference for Biblical Archaeology, "What the Bible Translator Has Learned--and Failed to Learn--from the Biblical Archaeologist," 2012