Hans Wolff

Hans Walter Wolff (1911–1993) was a German Protestant theologian, pastor, and professor whose writing became widely respected in Old Testament studies. Born in Barmen, he studied Protestant theology and later taught at the Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal before holding professorships at the University of Mainz and the University of Heidelberg.

He is best known for his work on the Hebrew prophets and for scholarship connected with form criticism and historical criticism. Among his notable achievements was his contribution to the Biblischer Kommentar Altes Testament series, and his studies of prophetic books helped generations of readers approach the Bible with both intellectual care and pastoral sensitivity.

Though deeply academic, his books were written for a broad theological audience, which is one reason they remained influential well beyond Germany. If you are browsing theology, biblical studies, or religious history, his work represents a thoughtful and important voice from 20th-century Protestant scholarship.