Spring 2020/Houston

OT527

Wells

OT527: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: EZEKIEL, HEBREW TEXT (4 Units: 160 hours). Sara Wells.

DESCRIPTION: The book of Ezekiel will be examined critically with regard to its ancient context and continuing significance for the church. The study includes an introduction to the structure and theology of the entire book, the various genres represented in the book, its setting and other characteristic features of prophetic literature. Significant time will be devoted to the translation and careful exegetical examination of the Hebrew text of representative passages. Exegetical skills and application to ministry will be part of the subject matter of the course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpretthe book of Ezekielwithin its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Ezekiel; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of Ezekiel; (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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through focused study of a particular biblical book or topic, students acquire deeper mastery of the interpretation of the Bible, taking into account its ancient and contemporary contexts, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries”(MDiv, MAT, MATM).

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: 800 pages total.

NRSV, TNIV or CEB.

Odell, Margaret S. Ezekiel. Macon: Smyth & Helwys, 2005. ISBN: 9781573120739, Pub. Price $60. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library). [150 pages assigned]

Additional readings are available full text through the Fuller library and Canvas, including authors such as Dexter Callender, Corrine Carvalho, Ellen Davis, Tikva Frymer-Kenski, Moshe Greenberg, and Elsa Tamez. [650 pages assigned]

Access to the following resources is required, all of which are available at a discount in Accordance Bible software (contact the professor for information on purchasing at Fuller's group rate):

Elliger, K. and W. Rudolph.Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.Hendrickson, 2006. Compact edition: ISBN: 9781598561630, Pub. Price $89.95.

Koehler, L. and W. Baumgartner.Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 Volumes.Brill, 2002. ISBN: 9789004124455, 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: 9780486443447, Pub. price $26.95.

An exhaustive Hebrew concordance.

A guide to Hebrew syntax (e.g., Arnold & Choi, Waltke & O’Connor, Williams & Beckman; see recommended reading).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Arnold, Bill T., and John H. Choi. A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. ISBN: 9781107434967, Pub. Price $32.99. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Ezekiel. Edited by Patrick D. Miller. Interpretation. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990. ISBN: 9780804231183, Pub. Price $40. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel: Chapters 1-24. Vol. 1 of NICOT 26. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 9780802825353, Pub. Price $62. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel: Chapters 25-48. Vol. 2 of NICOT 26. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 9780802825360, Pub. Price $62. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Bowen, Nancy. Ezekiel. Nashville: Abingdon, 2010. ISBN: 9781426704451, Pub. Price $39.99. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Carvalho, Corrine L., and Paul Niskanen. Ezekiel, Daniel. New Collegeville Bible Commentary. Old Testament 16. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780814628508, Pub. Price $12.95. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Cook, Stephen L. Ezekiel 38-48: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2018. ISBN: 9780300218817, Pub. Price $65. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Greenberg, Moshe. Ezekiel 1-20: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1983. ISBN: 9780300139662, Pub. Price $40. (Not available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Greenberg, Moshe. Ezekiel 21-37: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 2. New York: Doubleday, 1997. ISBN: 9780300139679, Pub. Price $40. (Not available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Waltke, Bruce K., and Michael Patrick O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990. ISBN: 9780931464317, Pub. Price $69.50. (Included with Fuller’s Accordance package. Not available as an e-book from the Fuller library.)

Williams, Ronald J., and John C. Beckman. Williams’ Hebrew Syntax. 3rd ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780802094292, Pub. Price $33.95. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library).

Zimmerli, Walther. Ezekiel 1: A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel Chapters 1-24. Vol. 1. Edited by F. M. Cross and Klaus Baltzer Translated by Ronald E. Clements. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983. ISBN: 9780800660086, Pub. Price $82. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library.)

Zimmerli, Walther. Ezekiel 2: A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel Chapters 25-48. Vol. 2. Edited by Paul D. Hanson Translated by James D. Martin. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983. ISBN: 9780800660109, Pub. Price $82. (Available as an e-book from the Fuller library.)

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Required reading (800 pages). [55 hours].
2. Class participation (20%). Each week, students will come prepared to discuss class readings, translation, and exegetical work on assigned passages. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-6] [30 hours].
3. Weekly translation and exegetical assignments using Hebrew based language tools (35%). Each week, students will submit a textual analysis of an assigned Hebrew passage, to include analysis of Hebrew morphology, syntax, and significant variant readings, and engagement with secondary literature. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4] [35 hours].
4. Group presentation on an assigned Hebrew text (15%). Students will report on an assigned passage of text, noting significant issues concerning grammar, syntax, variant readings, and salient interpretive issues that emerge from a close reading of the Hebrew text. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4] [10 hours]. (This assignment fulfills the requirement for 10 hours of directed learning activities.)
5. Final Exegetical Paper (30%). Students will submit a 2500-3000 word critical analysis of a passage in the book of Ezekiel established through consultation with the professor. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-6]. [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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.