Dr. Nathan Macdonald

Professor

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Biography

Nathan MacDonald studied theology and Hebrew at the University of Cambridge before completing a doctorate at the University of Durham on the book of Deuteronomy. He taught Old Testament at the University of St Andrews from 2001 to 2012 and spent eight months as a Humboldt research fellow at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in 2007. In 2008, he was awarded the Sofja-Kovalevskaja Prize, which enabled him to lead a research team on Early Jewish Monotheisms at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen from 2009 to 2014. In 2013, he took an appointment at the University of Cambridge. Professor MacDonald's research focuses on matters related to the Israelite cult. He completed a monograph entitled, 'Making Tabernacle Construction Priestly Hegemony' published by Oxford University Press in 2023. He is currently working on the International Critical Commentary for Exodus 25–31 and 35–40, with writing projects focusing on the history of the Israelite priesthood and the dynamics of ritual innovation in ancient Israel and early Judaism. His teaching includes courses on various topics, including the Old Testament.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2013-01-01 — Present

University of Cambridge • Cambridge

Professor MacDonald focuses his research on the Israelite cult and related topics.

Old Testament Fellow

— Present

St John's College, University of Cambridge • Cambridge

Involved in research supervision and various academic responsibilities.

Awards

#

Sofja-Kovalevskaja Prize

2008-01-01

Courses

David: Israel's Greatest Hero? Intermediate Hebrew Literature, History and Theology of the Exilic Age Advanced Hebrew Empire, Religion and Identity: Judaism in the Persian Period Joshua (MPhil) Pentateuchal Criticism (MPhil)

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset
Application Checklist
  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)
Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.