Fall 2015/Pasadena

OT527

Lee

OT527: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: DEUTERONOMIO, Hebrew Text (4 Units: 160 hours). Kyong-Jin Lee.

DESCRIPTION: A textual and contextual study of the book of Deuteronomy. A close reading of the Masoretic text will familiarize the student with the particular language and style of this pivotal book in the Hebrew Scripture. Development of exegetical skills will arise from a focused discussion on the theological, historical, and literary characteristics of the book. The class will explore the book’s role in the Church’s ongoing theological reflection as well as some of the most salient issues in current scholarly debate.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret the book of Deuteronomy within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Deuteronomy; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of Deuteronomy; (4) to use Hebrew based language tools for interpreting the text; and (5) to interpret this text for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: 700-800 total number of pages required

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 [original date, 1906]. ISBN: 978- 1565632066, Pub. Price $34.95.

Brown, Raymond. Comentario al Antiguo Testamento-Deuteronomio. Andamio, 2009. ISBN: 978-8492836697, Pub. Price $19.99.

Elliger, K. and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Hendrickson, 2006. Compact edition: ISBN: 978-1598561630, Pub. Price $69.95.

Sanchez, Edesio. Deuteronomio (Comentario Bíblico Iberoamerican). Editorial Ediciones Kairos, 2002. ISBN: 978-9879403396, Pub. Price $23.00.

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. ed. Abingdon, 1995. ISBN: 978-0687157860, Pub. Price $40.00.

BibleWorks 9 software, which includes the following components: an exhaustive Hebrew concordance, the text of the Hebrew Bible, Brown, F. with S.R. Driver & C.A. Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew English Lexicon. Hendrickson, 1996. Gesenius, W., E.F. Kautzsch, et al. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Dover Publications, 2006. OR Joüon, P. - T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, Parts 1, 2 & 3. Biblical Institute Press, 2006. Koehler, L. and W. Baumgartner. Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 Volumes. Brill, 2002. BibleWorks is priced at $359, or $259 with group discount; see www.bibleworks.com/IPP/. Currently the HALOT module is $159, the standard Greek lexicon (BDAG) is $150, and both together are $212.

Additional mandatory reading material is posted on Moodle.

RECOMMENDED READING:

De León Azcárate, Juan Luis. Deuteronomio (Comentarios a la Biblia de Jerusalén). Desclée de Brouwer, 2009. ISBN: 978-8433023599, Out of Print.

Nelson, Richard D.Deuteronomy: A Commentary. Presbyterian Publishing Corp, 2004. ISBN: 978-0664229542, Pub. Price $55.00.

Thompson, Deanna A. Deuteronomy (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible). Westminster John Knox Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0664233433, Pub. Price $40.00.

Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990. ISBN: 978-0931464317, Pub. Price $67.50.

Weinfeld, Moshe, ed.Deuteronomy 1-11: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 5. Anchor Bible, 1995. ISBN: 978-0300139433, Pub. Price $47.00

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Study of the text, regular use of Bible software, reading of commentaries, and other assigned readings. Weekly submission of the written translation and grammatical analysis of the Hebrew text. (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 1-4]. [70 hours].
2. Midterm exam. The exam will test the student’s knowledge of the secondary material and translation of the book of Deuteronomy from the first half of the term. The format of the exam will be short essays and translation passages. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 1-4]. [15 hours preparation].
3. Final exam. The exam will test the student’s knowledge of the secondary material and translation of the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy from the second half of the term. The format of the exam will be short essays and translation passages. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4]. [15 hours preparation].
4. An exegesis paper on a selected passage from the book of Deuteronomy [2,000-2,500 words] (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 1-5]. [20 hours preparation and writing].

PREREQUISITES: LG500, LG502, or LG502A/B or passing grade on a waiver exam; BI500 or NE502; OT500 or OT501 or OT502. Spanish.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Biblical Language Exegesis requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Meets the OTBE or OTCE in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes