The Journal of Biblical Literature (JBL) is a quarterly periodical that promotes critical and academic biblical scholarship. Bringing the highest level of technical expertise to bear on the canon, cognate literature, and the historical matrix of the Bible, JBL has stood at the center of communication among biblical scholars in North America for the past 125 years. The articles and reviews published by JBL reflect the range of methods, models, and interests used and pursued by working sections, groups, and seminars of the Society of Biblical Literature.

The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) supports the critical investigation of the Bible. Founded in 1880, the SBL is a member of the American Council of Learned Societies. A simple, yet comprehensive statement encompasses the Society's aspirations: to foster biblical scholarship. To that end, the Society provides, through its various meetings and publications, conversation partners and resources for those interested in the religions, history, literature, and culture of the ancient Near Eastern world. Over 7,000 members from every continent provide a forum to test ideas and advance the understanding of the Bible's role in the public arena.