Winter 2006/Pasadena
LG502A
Galán

LG502A: BEGINNING HEBREW. Benjamin Galán.


DESCRIPTION: This is the first half of a two-quarter introduction to biblical Hebrew; the second half of the course will be offered in the Spring quarter. Students enrolling in the Winter quarter are expected to complete their study in the Spring quarter with the same instructor. No transferring between sections is permitted. The course will seek to develop the mastery of elementary Hebrew grammar and vocabulary through translation of exercises from 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: This course will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions. We will introduce two new lessons from the textbook in each class by means of class presentations. Each lesson will be followed by selected exercises, which will be examples for students' homework.

REQUIRED READING:

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

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

__________. Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Workbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

__________. Vocabulary Guide to Biblical Hebrew: Workbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
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.

Scott, William R. A Simplified Guide to BHS. Richland Hills: Bibal Press, 1987.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Participation in class (6%).

  2. Vocabulary quizzes (20%).

  3. Homework (20%).

  4. Oral recitation (15%).

  5. Take three (3) tests during the term (24%).

  6. Final Exam (15%).

PREREQUISITES: None. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: The two-course sequence meets MDiv core requirement in Hebrew (HEB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.