Hebrew Bible Exegesis

Instructor:

Course Synopsis:

This course builds upon the knowledge of Hebrew gained in Hebrew I and Hebrew II in order to give the student the ability and confidence necessary to study, teach, and preach from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and study other related literature. This course is a combination of primary readings in the Hebrew Bible (along with a focus on vocabulary) including the narrative of the book of Ruth and select poems/psalms, and secondary readings around topics of grammar, syntax, text criticism, cultural background, conventions of narrative and poetry, and method.

COURSE GOALS

Our goals are to do the following:

  1. To increase our facility with biblical Hebrew through weekly translations, and deepening our understanding of forms, grammar, and syntax (acquired through Hebrew I and Hebrew II) through regular parsing and analyzing.
  2. To gain deeper appreciation for modes of expressions, types of concerns expressed, use of idioms, metaphors, and other figurative language through increased exposure to the Hebrew Bible
  3. To recognize our own exegetical questions and predispositions.
  4. To become more competent in utilizing Hebrew in one’s academic and ministry/professional life.

COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:

  1. To read and interpret the biblical Hebrew text with the help of a lexicon and grammar;
  2. To articulate the decisions one has made in their reading/interpretation in terms of the text (including text critical issues and “variants”), cultural context (including recognizing the various contexts influencing production and interpretation), and method.
  3. To use one’s knowledge of Hebrew to inform any (and all) of the exegetical methods and to identify the exegetical predispositions and questions that we tend to lean into the most.

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Weekly translations in Ruth or other select passages, including parsing and analyzing forms
  2. Weekly engagement and online discussion about the secondary readings.
  3. Vocabulary
  4. Final Paper on a select passage, and approached through a particular methodological perspective, decided on through discussion with and approval by the instructor.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS). Edited by Gerhard Weil, 1997. (If you have not purchased yet)

Benjamin, Don C., and Victor H. Matthews. Social World of Ancient Israel: 1250-587 BCE . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2005. (used copies of older editions will suffice, as long as they arrive in time)

Brown, William P. A Handbook to Old Testament Exegesis . Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017.

Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors . 4th edition. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox, 2009.

Strongly Recommended:

Murphy, Todd J. Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew . Poc edition. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2003. (This is a concise dictionary of common grammatical terms and jargon. Very valuable and convenient resource.)

Course Overview

 

Course Objectives

 

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community. 

DateDayDetails
Apr 01, 2017SatWeek 1b - The work and aims of Exegesisdue by 05:59AM
Apr 08, 2017SatWeek 2b - Cultural Contextdue by 05:59AM
Apr 10, 2017MonVocabulary Quiz #1 - up through Hackett ch. 20due by 05:59AM
Apr 15, 2017SatWeek 3b - Cultural Context Continued...due by 05:59AM
Apr 25, 2017TueVocabulary Quiz #2 - up through Hackett ch.22due by 05:59AM
Apr 29, 2017SatWeek 5b - Poetrydue by 05:59AM
May 13, 2017SatWeek 7b - Compositional and Literary Analysisdue by 05:59AM
May 15, 2017MonVocabulary Quiz #3 - Up through Hackett ch.25due by 05:59AM
May 27, 2017SatOptional - Rough draft submissiondue by 05:59AM
Jun 03, 2017SatFinal Research Paperdue by 05:59AM