DESCRIPTION: This course is an intensive format of the Biblical Hebrew program
at Fuller. The course will seek to develop the mastery of elementary Hebrew
grammar and vocabulary and translation of exercises from Pratico and Van Pelt's
Basics of Biblical Hebrew, as well as provide an introduction to the use
of reference material for the reading and translation of Hebrew.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: The students will (1) memorize basic
vocabulary for prose readings of the Hebrew Bible; (2) understand and recognize
the different grammatical categories present in Hebrew: nouns, adjectives,
adverbs, prepositions, verbs, and verbal forms; (3) learn to read aloud
biblical sections of the Hebrew Bible according to the Sephardite tradition;
(4) translate Hebrew texts and interact with reference books and
commentaries for biblical exegesis; (5) understand a basic introduction to
exegesis of Old Testament texts.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The study of biblical Hebrew will help students to
better handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Almost two thirds of the
Scriptures were written in Hebrew. Learning this language will open a window
into the culture and history of the biblical text, enabling us to deal with
Scripture more correctly. In this introductory course the students will lay the
linguistic foundations for future exegetical courses.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for four-hour sessions. The
course will be based on the material in the required texts for the class.
Classes will consist of lecture, reading from the Hebrew Bible, translation
exercises, and daily quizzes. An intensive language course requires a major
time commitment. Attendance at all class sessions is vital to the successful
completion of Beginning Hebrew. Students will be expected to spend at least
two hours of outside preparation for every hour of class.
REQUIRED READING: