Spring 2019/Fuller Live!

Pasadena & Menlo Park

OT527

Lee

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

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DESCRIPTION: A textual and contextual study of the book of Ezra. 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 interpretthe book of Ezra within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Ezra; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of Ezra; (4) to use Hebrew based language tools for interpreting the text;(5) to recognize hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers;and (6) to interpret this text for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 1000 pages required.

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible [20 pp. assigned].

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Compact Edition. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2006. ISBN: 978-1598561630, Pub. Price $69.95.

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

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Ezra-Nehemiah: A Commentary. Westminster John Knox Press, 1988. ISBN: 978-0664221867, Pub. Price $40.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp.]

Williamson, Hugh G. M. Ezra, Nehemiah. Zondervan, 2015. ISBN: 978-0310522133, Pub. Price $49.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp.]

Articles on e-reserves by Athalya Brenner, David Gunn, Ada María Isasi-Díaz, Nyasha Junior, Amy-Jill Levine, Carol Meyers, Danna Nolan Fewel, Dora Rudo Mbuwayesango, David M. Scholer, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, R.S. Sugirtharajah, Elsa Tamez, Tan Yak-hwee, Phyllis Trible, Robert W. Wall, et al. [600 pp.]

Access to the following resources is required:

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

Koehler, L. and W. Baumgartner.Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 Volumes.Brill, 2002. ISBN: 978-9004124455, Pub. price $323.00.

Joüon, P. - T. Muraoka.A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. 2nd ed. Gregorian & Biblical Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-8876536298, Pub. price $82.00.ORGesenius, W., E.F. Kautzsch, et al.Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Dover Publications, 2006. ISBN: 978-0486443447, Pub. price $20.

An exhaustive Hebrew concordance.

These are all also available at a discount in Accordance Bible software. Contact the professor for information on purchasing at Fuller's group rate.

RECOMMENDED READING: Please refer to the syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Study of the text, regular use of Bible software, reading of commentaries, and other assigned readings, approximately a total of 1,000 pages. [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 1-6]. [70 hours].
2. Weekly submission of the written translation and grammatical analysis of the Hebrew text. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 4]. [10 hours].
3. Weekly posting of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and writings on Canvas (300-350 words) (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-6]. [10 hours of DLAs].
4. Class presentation (10%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1-3, 5-6]. [5 hours preparation].
5. Midterm exam. The exam will test the student’s knowledge of the secondary material and translation of the Hebrew text of Ezra 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 #1-6]. [10 hours preparation].
6. An exegesis paper on a selected passage from the book of Ezra [2,500-3,000 words] (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 1-6]. [25 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.

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: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.