Dr. Rata joined the Old Testament department after completing his doctoral studies at the University of Toronto (Canada). 

He also earned master's degrees: in Hebrew language and literature from the University of Toronto and in the Old Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (South Hamilton, MA, USA). His doctoral research was on the finite verb in the book of Job. 

Being of Romanian heritage, Dr. Rata has ministered in Romanian churches in Canada and in the United States. His interests include Wisdom literature, Semitic languages, biblical archaeology and theology, and Islamic studies. He is married with four children: Isaiah, David, Talitha and Yohan.