Education
- Johns Hopkins University, Ph.D. 2010
- Johns Hopkins University, M.A. 2007
- Weston Jesuit School of Theology, MTS. 2004
- UNC-Chapel Hill , B.A. 2000
- Other study:
W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, Jerusalem, Israel, 2007-08
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, Spring 1999
Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, Rome, Italy, Fall 1998
Examples of Courses Taught
- Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures
- The Pentateuch
- Job and the Mystery of Suffering
- The Prophets
- Sacred Space in the Bible and Beyond
- Biblical Hebrew I & II
Audio from a recent interview Dr. Davis did with KIRO FM radio on the Ross & Burbank Show:
Research Areas
- Theology and the Christian Bible
- Ancient Israelite Religion
- The Construction of Sacred Space in the Bible
- Narrative Style and Artistry in Biblical Literature
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed Books
- Tel Dan in its Northern Cultic Context (monograph forthcoming in the SBL Archaeology and Biblical Studies series)
Peer-reviewed Articles
- “The Literary Effect of Gender Discord in the Book of Ruth,” Journal of Biblical Literature (forthcoming)
- “‘Answer me properly!’: Diplomatic Strategy and Subterfuge in the Treaty Texts from Mari,” Ancient Near Eastern Studies (forthcoming)
- “Translating חנם in Job 1:9 and 2:3” (article co-written with Tod Linafelt under review)
- “‘Wrestlin’ Jacob’ in August Wilson’s Fences” (article under review)
- “Hidden Treasure in Job 14:17” (article under review)
- “The Literary Effect of Gender Discord in the Book of Ruth,” Journal of Biblical Literature (forthcoming)
Invited Publications
- “Tel Dan: A Temple at the Source of the Jordan River,” The Bible Today 50 (May/June 2012): 178-184.
Papers Presented
- “Ahaz’s New Altar and the Politics of Sacred Space,” SBL Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, November 2012
- “Wrestling Jacob in African American Religious and Literary Tradition,” SBL Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, November 2012
- “Job 14:17 in its Archaeological Context,” CBA Annual Meeting, South Bend, IN, July 2012
- “A Mixed Blessing in Ruth 4:11-12,” Pacific Northwest AAR/SBL Meeting, Spokane, WA, May 2011
- “Altar Rededications and the Problem of Continuity in Sacred Space,” CBA Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, August 2010
- “Official and Family Religion at Iron Age Tel Dan,” SBL Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, November 2009
- “The Construction of Sacred Space at Tel Dan in the Iron Age,” Albright Institute of Archaeological Research Workshop Series, Jerusalem, Israel, March 2008
Book Reviews
- Review of T. Longman, Job (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012), Catholic Biblical Quarterly (in progress)
- Review of J. Stromberg, Isaiah After Exile: The Author of Third Isaiah as Reader and Redactor of the Book (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011), Catholic Biblical Quarterly 74 (2012): 803-04.
- Review of J. Bembry, Yahweh’s Coming of Age (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2011), Catholic Biblical Quarterly 74 (2012): 570-571.
- Review of F. Stavrakopoulou and J. Barton, eds., Religious Diversity in Ancient Israel and Judah (London: T&T Clark, 2010), Catholic Biblical Quarterly 73 (2011): 655-657.
- Review of J. LeMon and K. Richards, eds., Method Matters: Essays on the Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Honor of David L. Peterson (SBLRBS 56; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009), Catholic Biblical Quarterly 73 (2011): 421-23.
Honors and Awards
- Wabash Center Teaching and Learning Summer Fellowship, 2012
- SBL Regional Scholar Award, 2012 (for paper presented at 2011 Pacific Northwest SBL Meeting)
- Kress Fellowship, 2007-08
- Catholic Biblical Association Memorial Stipend, 2005-09
- Fulbright Commission Teaching Assistantship, Austria, 2001-02
Personal Bio
Dr. Davis’s interest in ancient history and language began with Mrs. Ruth Ann Morton’s Latin class at Carroll Middle School. In college his focus shifted eastward from the Roman world to the Greek, and after a post-college year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps it shifted eastward again to the Semitic world. He finds that biblical studies is a perfect marriage of his love of theology and antiquity. Outside of STM, Dr. Davis enjoys having fun with his wife and two sons.
Audio from a recent interview Dr. Davis did with KIRO FM radio on the Ross & Burbank Show: