DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to biblical Hebrew. Students will gain a basic understanding of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of biblical Hebrew and begin developing translation skills necessary for biblical exegesis.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the quarter the student will be able to (1) read aloud from the Hebrew Bible; (2) write legibly in a standard Hebrew script; (3) recognize and use high frequency vocabulary of biblical Hebrew; (4) identify basic word forms, grammatical structures, and syntax; (5) translate short passages from the Hebrew Bible using a standard lexicon and other tools.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Interpreting the Bible in a critically responsible and faithful way is vitally important in guiding our lives together as Christians, and in whatever ministry God calls us to. The ability to read, translate, and analyze the text of the Bible in its original languages greatly enhances our search to discern God's message to us. With a basic understanding of the Hebrew language, the Old Testament comes alive in new ways and allows us to open ourselves to more of what God may be saying to us through God's word.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly for four-hour sessions. Class time will consist of lecture, reading, and translating from the Hebrew Bible; translation exercises, quizzes, and tests. Attendance is very important for successfully completing this course and towards acquiring the skill of reading biblical Hebrew. Students should expect to spend at least two hours of outside preparation/homework for every hour of class time.

REQUIRED READING:

Brown, F., S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, with an appendix, containing the Biblical Aramaic. Hendrickson, 1996 [1906].

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997.

Futato, Mark D. Beginning Biblical Hebrew. 2nd corrected printing. Eisenbrauns, 2005.

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://www.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/093/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

Joüon, P., and T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblio, 1991.

Gesenius, W., and E. F. Kautzsch, et al. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. 2nd. ed. Clarendon, 1963 [1910].

Tucker, W. Dennis, Jr. Jonah: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Baylor University Press, 2006.

Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.

Williams, Ronald J. Hebrew Syntax: An Outline. 2nd ed. University of Toronto, 1976.

Recommended Resource:

Dillard, Raymond B. Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Cards. Visual Education Assn., 1997.

OR Van Pelt, Miles V. Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary Cards. Zondervan, 2004.

[Both of these sets of vocabulary flash cards are keyed to Futato's text. Of course, making your own set of vocabulary cards provides additional writing practice and may help you learn the words better.]