JOURNAL OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE. - It began publication in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1881 under the name *Journal of the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis*, edited by the Society itself (Protestant). The periodicity was initially semiannual, then quarterly. With volume 9 (1889), it assumed the name *J. of b. l.*, which it retains to this day.
It focuses in particular on ancient and New Testament exegesis. The material is divided into articles and shorter notes. Members of the editorial committee have included J. A. Bewer, B. W. Bacon, and Max L. Margolis. Among the principal contributors are F. Brown, G. F. Moore, Ch. A. Brown, P. Haupt, and M. Jastrow.
The material continues to be enriched by contributions that shed light on the environment of the Old Testament and by various philological studies.