Sara Japhet, a distinguished Professor Emerita of Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializes in the history of the biblical period, the literature and religion of the bible and the history of Jewish exegesis.

She completed her M.A. in biblical studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, summa cum laude and received her doctorate with distinction in 1973. Promoted to the rank of full professor she served as chair person of the Bible Department and later as head of the Institute of Jewish Studies. From 1997 to 2001 she was director of the Jewish National and University Library.

A member of various scientific associations, Professor Japhet is also a member of the directorate of the World Association for Jewish Studies. She has been a visiting professor at the University of California in Berkeley, Harvard University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. She was also a Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford University and at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies in Philadelphia. In 2004, she was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize in biblical scholarship.