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Uriel Simon, Pioneering Biblical Scholar and Peace Advocate, Dies at 97
By Drooid · · How we work
End-of-September Passing and Confirmation
The Israeli biblical scholar Uriel Simon died at his home in Jerusalem in late September at the age of 97. His death was confirmed by his wife, Shulamit Simon.
Literary Approach to the Hebrew Bible
Simon was renowned for treating the Hebrew Bible primarily as literature. Rather than concentrating on the historical circumstances of composition, he asked what the text communicates to contemporary readers. He examined narrative techniques such as the repeated use of the word “great” in the Book of Jonah—contrasting “great fish,” “great city,” “great storm,” and other phrases—to highlight irony. He also paid close attention to what the text omits, using secondary characters as foils that reveal the strengths and weaknesses of principal figures.
Integration of Medieval Commentary and Modern Relevance
A hallmark of Simon’s scholarship was linking literary analysis with medieval Jewish exegesis, especially the rationalist commentaries of Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra. He argued that modern readers should consider both the original literary qualities of the biblical text and the insights of traditional Jewish sources, thereby extracting messages that speak to today’s moral and spiritual concerns.
Activism for Israeli-Palestinian Reconciliation
Beyond academia, Simon applied his biblical expertise to advocacy for peace. He invoked religious narratives to argue for compromise between Israelis and Palestinians, positioning the scriptures as a bridge for mutual understanding rather than a source of division. His public statements emphasized that the Bible’s ethical teachings could support contemporary efforts toward coexistence.
Reflections from Colleagues
Jonathan Jacobs, a professor of biblical studies at Bar-Ilan University, described Simon as one of the first scholars to focus on secondary characters as literary foils and to foreground the text’s present-day relevance.