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Dr. Richard Averbeck is professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, where he has served on the faculty since 1994. He received his B.A. from Calvary Bible College, a M.Div. and M.A. from Grace Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Annenberg Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania (formerly Dropsie College).

Born and raised on a diary farm in rural Wisconsin, Dr. Averbeck has a passion for teaching and learning the Scriptures. At Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1994–current), Dr. Averbeck specializes in the culture of the Old Testament where he influences students with his expertise in the Old Testament Law, Near Eastern Studies, and Semitic languages. Prior to his work at Trinity, Dr. Averbeck served on the faculties of Dallas Theological Seminary (1990–1994) and Grace Theological Seminary (1980–1990). While a Professor at Grace, Dr. Averbeck was the Chairman of the Old Testament Department. Internationally, he was a visiting lecturer at the Lutheran School of Theology in Copenhagen and Åarhus, Denmark. He has also preached and taught in China, across Germany, and West Africa.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Averbeck is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Institute for Biblical Research, the American Oriental Society, and the Society of Biblical Literature. Furthermore, he serves as the Director of the Spiritual Formation Forum. He is also a licensed therapist in Wisconsin (1989–current), having studied under his friend and colleague the world renowned counselor and Christian psychologist, Dr. Larry Crabb.  

Dr. Averbeck has penned numerous articles for The Future of Biblical Archaeology, The Journal of the American Oriental Society, The Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, and The Journal of Psychology and Christianity. Among the volumes for which he has written are extensive contributions to The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis and The Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. He own works also include entries for The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology; Faith, Tradition, and History; and Cracking Old Testament Codes. Moreover, he was the chief editor and major contributor to the Life and Culture in Ancient Near East.