Spring 2014/Sacramento
OT506
Thomas
OT506: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: SAMUEL (Hebrew) (4 units: 120 hours). Matthew A. Thomas.
DESCRIPTION: The primary goal of this course is to develop exegetical skills through the study of portions of the Hebrew text of 1 and 2 Samuel. The Hebrew text will be examined closely in its literary, historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Toward this goal, a variety of methodologies will be considered in relation to the text of Samuel (e.g., form-, historical-, and text-critical). Attention will be given to the development of exegetical skills. Class sessions will consist of lecture on the context of Samuel and exegetical methodology, discussion of selected passages, and practice with various exegetical methods. Students will translate approximately 90 verses of Hebrew text over the course of the quarter.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completing this course, the student will have demonstrated (1) a fundamental knowledge of the literary forms and thematic content of the book(s) of Samuel; (2) competence in working with the Hebrew text, including the requisite tools; (3) skill in using exegetical and hermeneutical principles; (4) an ability to reflect upon and evaluate theological issues raised in the book(s) of Samuel and their significance for Christian faith and practice, and (5) an awareness of how we may learn from culturally diverse vantage points in order to more faithfully interpret and live out this portion of Scripture.
COURSE FORMAT: The class meets for 6 hours on five Saturdays, for a total of 30 contact hours. Ten additional contact hours will come from interaction and activities in Moodle between the class sessions.
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]. ISBN: 978-1565632066, Pub. Price $34.95.
Brueggemann, W. First and Second Samuel. Interpretation. Westminster John Knox, 1990. ISBN: 978-0804231084, Pub. Price $40.00 [357 pp. assigned].
Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997. ISBN: 978-3438052223, Pub. Price $39.99.
Tsumura, David T. The First Book of Samuel. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802823595. Pub. Price $55.00 [100 pp. assigned].
See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available here:http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Attendance and preparation for translation and exegetical discussion and participation in follow up activities in Moodle (20%).
Exegetical Analysis notes (30%): Students will translate approximately 90 verses of Hebrew over the quarter, identifying exegetical issues. Notes will include their translation and exegetical analysis according to guidelines in the syllabus.
Hebrew Text Presentation (20%): Students will work in small groups to prepare and present a Hebrew passage to the class. Each student will be responsible to present approximately 3 verses of text. The presentation will include reading part of the passage aloud, noting significant grammatical forms and textual issues, and translating the passage.
Exegetical Paper (30%): 3000-3750 words (approximately 12-15 pages).
PREREQUISITES: LG502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “B” (OTBE) and MA program requirements for Old Testament book study (OTBK).