Register Now for the 2026 Annual Meeting
SBL will host the 2026 Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, November 21–24. Register now to secure the lowest rates.
Highlights from the 2026 International Meeting
Read about the 2026 International Meeting in Adelaide, Australia, ahead of making plans for next year’s meeting in Leuven, Belgium.
Visit the SBL YouTube Channel
Watch member interviews, recordings of Presidential Addresses, and explore the archives of Bible Odyssey’s video library.
Society of Biblical Literature
SBL, a membership organization with over 7,000 scholars, is the oldest and largest learned society devoted to the critical investigation of the Bible from a variety of academic disciplines. Through its work, SBL supports scholarly research and fosters the public understanding of the Bible and its influence.
Annual Meeting
Co-hosted by the American Academy of Religion, the SBL Annual Meeting brings together professors and students, authors and publishers, religious leaders and interested laypersons, to its venue each year. Attendees have access to over 900 academic workshops and sessions.
International Meeting
The SBL International Meeting is held annually outside North America. It provides a unique forum for all who wish to engage more directly SBL’s international membership and scholarship. Visit the International Meeting page to learn more.
Virtual Meetings
SBL Virtual Meetings offer experiences, opportunities, presentation formats, and modes of accessibility that are not possible in an in-person meeting. This includes exploring new modes of participation that differ from those of past SBL meetings.
News & Publications
September 9, 2026
SBL Webinar Thriving as Minoritized Biblical Scholars
Join us Monday, September 28, 2:00–3:30 PM ET, for a conversation on what helps biblical scholars from underrepresented groups not just survive but thrive in today’s academy. A one-hour panel discussion will be followed by breakout sessions exploring practical tools for building counter-communities of care and combating isolation.
August 17, 2026
Tribute to James T. Laney from Kent Richards
Kent Richards, the SBL Executive Director from 1995–2010, remembers the life and work of James T. Laney (1927–2026), a fierce advocate for education and learned societies.
July 31, 2026
Highlights from the 2026 International Meeting
Scholars from around the globe gathered in Adelaide Australia this past July. See photos and videos from this event and mark your calendar for the 2027 International Meeting in Leuven, Belgium, next year.
May 12, 2026
Federal Judge Rules to Restore National Endowment for the Humanities Funding In Historic Case
On May 7, US District Judge Colleen McMahon ruled that the mass termination by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) of more than 1,400 grants to support scholars, research institutions, and humanities organizations was “unlawful, unconstitutional, ultra vires, and without legal effect.”
Bible Odyssey
SBL’s Bible Odyssey website draws the person on the street or in the classroom into the fascinating world of scholarly investigation of the Bible. This resource seeks to help the public understand the diversity of biblical interpretations.
SBL Central
SBL Central is a research platform that supports the entire interdisciplinary ecosystem of biblical, religious, and theological studies. It is a beacon of collaboration, fostering indispensable tools for research and professional development.
Make a Donation
For over one hundred and thirty-five years, SBL members have regularly given their time and money to support each other as they study the Bible, the world out of which it emerged, and the many contexts of biblical interpretation.