Fall 2017/Fuller Online

OT527

Riley

OT527: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: ECCLESIASTES, Hebrew Text (4 Units: 165 hours). Jason A. Riley.

DESCRIPTION: A textual and contextual study of the book of Ecclesiastes. A close reading of the Masoretic text will familiarize students with the particular language and style of this often debated book. They will develop their exegetical skills through focused discussion of 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 Ecclesiastes within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Ecclesiastes; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns in the book; (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 course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 800-900 pages required.

1) NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible

2) Selected readings from ancient Near Eastern literature (Provided via Canvas e-reserve) [50 pages].

3) Hebrew based language tools: To effectively conduct exegesis of the book of Ecclesiastes, students will need access to four primary resources: the Masoretic Text (i.e., Hebrew Bible), a Hebrew lexicon, a basic-intermediate Hebrew grammar, and a Hebrew syntax reference work. Additionally, students will need to be able to conduct concordance searches using either a Bible software (e.g., BibleWorks) or with a print-edition concordance of the Hebrew Bible (further explanation will be provided in the syllabus). The tools above can be accessed through the following options:

A) Electronically: BibleWorks 10 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 $389, or $289 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.

B) Via printed resources:

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

Brown, F., S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon: Coded with Strong’s Concordance Numbers. Hendrickson, 1996 [original date, 1906]. ISBN: 978-1565632066, Pub. Price $34.95. (If you do not wish to purchase the software)

EitherJoüon, Paul, and T. Muraoka. A grammar of biblical Hebrew. Gregorian & Biblical Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-8876536298. Pub. Price: $98.00OrGesenius, Wilhelm, E. Kautzsch, and A. E. Cowley. Gesenius' Hebrew grammar. Dover Publications, 2006. ISBN: 978-0486443447. Pub. Price: $26.95.

Waltke, Bruce K. and Michael Patrick O’Connor. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990. ISBN: 978-0931464317. Pub. Price: $69.50.

4) Bartholomew, Craig G. Ecclesiastes. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801097447. Pub. Price: $40.00 [250 pages assigned].

5) Either Elsa Tamez. When the Horizons Close: Rereading Ecclesiastes. Orbis Books, 2000. ISBN: 978-1597528559. Pub. Price: $23.00. [154 pages]. Or Jacques Ellul. Reason for Being: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes. Eerdmans, 1990. ISBN: 978-0802804051. Pub. Price: $23.00 (only available as a used book via Amazon and other sellers). [300 pages]. Or Robert K. Johnson. Useless Beauty: Ecclesiastes Through the Lens of Contemporary Film. Baker Academic, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801027857. Pub. Price: $22.00. [200 pages].

Additional required reading material is posted on Canvas, represented by authors such as E. Tamez, C. L. Seow, C. Bartholomew, M. K. George, R.N. Whybray, R. E. Murphy, M. V. Fox, and J. L. Crenshaw [380 pages].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Enns, Peter. Ecclesiastes(The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary). Eerdmans, 2011. ISBN: 978-0802866493, Pub. Price $25.00.

Fox, Michael V. A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up: A Rereading of Ecclesiastes. Wipf & Stock, 2010. ISBN: 978-1608994960, Pub. Price: $50.00.

Holmdstedt, Robert D., John A. Cook, and Phillip S. Marshall. Qoheleth: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Baylor University Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-1602587328, Pub. Price: $29.95.

Merwe, Christo H.J. van der, Jackie A. Naudé, and Jan H. Kroeze. A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar. 2nd edition. Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2017. ISBN: 978-0567663337, Pub. Price: $33.95. (This may be substituted for one of the Hebrew grammars above).

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. ed. Abingdon, 1995. ISBN: 978-1426789076, Pub. Price $40.00.

Seow, C.L. Ecclesiastes: A New Translation with Introduction. Doubleday, 1997. ISBN: 978-0385411141, Pub. Price: $85.00.

Williams, Ronald J., and John C. Beckman. Williams' Hebrew syntax. University of Toronto Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802094292, Pub. Price: $30.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Weekly preparation and participation in online discussions is essential for successful completion of this course. This preparation will include reading assignments, translation, and exegetical analysis of assigned passages. The final grade will be based on:

  1. Instruction hours, including PowerPoint presentations, video lectures, etc. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, #3, and #4] [5 hours].

  2. 800-900 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [55 hours].

  3. Exegetical notebook on Ecclesiastes integrating translation/analysis of assigned passages, grammatical and syntactical insights, word studies, theological reflection, and interaction with linguistic and secondary resources. (45%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-6] [50 hours].

  4. Five-page reading reflection based on either Tamez, Ellul, or Johnson (the student may choose which book he/she reads). (10%). [This assignment is related to learning objectives #3, 5, 6]. [5 hours]

  5. Participation in weekly online discussions focusing on questions relating to the assigned translation passage and secondary readings. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1–4] [20 hours].

  6. Signature Assignment (Exegetical Paper; 10–12 pages). (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5] [30 hours].

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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.