Winter 2006/Pasadena
LG502
Galán

LG502: BEGINNING HEBREW. Benjamin Galán.


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:

Brown, Francis; S. R. Driver; and Charles A. Briggs, eds. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1979.

Elliger, Karl and Wilhelm Rudolph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1990.

Pratico, Gary D. and Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Grammar. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

_________. Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Workbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Long, Gary A. Grammatical Concepts 101 for Biblical Hebrew. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Class participation will contribute 6% of final grade. Be there and be on time.

  2. Reading of lesson(s) and memorize the vocabulary in the lessons (vocabulary quizzes = 20%).

  3. Completion of the exercises assigned from each lesson (20%).

  4. Oral recitation (15%).

  5. Four tests during the term (24%).

  6. Final exam (15%). We will take our final exam during week 11.

PREREQUISITES: Good standing. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Hebrew (HEB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.