• Nederlands Vlaams Bijbelgenootschap | Haarlem | Medewerker | 2006-05-01 - 2046-02-09

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Matthijs J. de Jong holds the Chair by Special Appointment of "Bible Translation in Contemporary Context" at Vrije Universiteit, and is head of translation and exegesis at the Bible Society for the Netherlands and Flanders (NBG). His primary research and valorization interest lies in contextualizing Bible translation, both as a historical phenomenon and as a contemporary global activity. He accomplishes this by critically examining the prevailing yet conflicting paradigms: one that views Bible translation strictly as a linguistic procedure, and another that regards it as a form of cultural rewriting.

De Jong obtained his MA (cum laude, 2000) and his PhD (cum laude, 2006), both at Leiden University, The Netherlands. He obtained an MSt in Oriental Studies at Oxford University (2000/01). His dissertation was awarded the Praemium Erasmianum in 2007. As a Bible translator at the Bible Society for the Netherlands and Flanders, he contributed extensively to the Dutch “Bible in Plain Language” (2014) and on the revision of the Dutch standard “Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling” (released 2004, revised version released in 2021), known as the NBV21. De Jong is particularly motivated to demonstrate that the complexities inherent in Bible translation challenge widely held notions of translation as a simple and straightforward process.

De Jong's research initially concentrated on the Biblical prophets within the context of the ancient Near East. Since 2006, he has developed a broad research profile in Biblical studies, encompassing both Old and New Testament exegesis and translation, with a particular focus on Bible translation methodology. In addition to his academic publications, he has contributed extensively to the journal Met Andere Woorden for a professional audience. His recent research at VU aims to contextualize Bible translation as both a historical phenomenon and a contemporary global activity. One of his research projects focuses on the Book of Job, demonstrating how translation choices—both historical and contemporary—are often contextually driven. Another project explores the application of AI translation (both its opportunities and its dangers) in the field of Bible translation.

De Jong’s teaching encompasses the broad field of Bible translation as a global phenomenon, the methodology of Bible translation and translation theory, Biblical exegesis in relation to Bible translation, and the analysis and comparison of recent authoritative English and Dutch Bible translations. His courses are integral to the Minor in Bible Translation in a Digital Age and the Master’s program (Working Sessions in Bible Translation). He also supervises several PhD students.