Spring 2012/Houston
OT507
Dearman
OT507: Esther and Ruth (Hebrew Exegesis). J. Andrew Dearman.
DESCRIPTION: This
course is an exegetical study of the books of Ruth and
Esther, which includes translation and interpretation of selected
passages of the Hebrew text,
along
with lecture and discussion of the basic themes of the books.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully
completing the course will have demonstrated
1. acquisition of basic literary,
linguistic, and historical tools to enable him/her to read the Old Testament
critically;
2. ability to identify the central themes
and motifs in Esther and Ruth, and to apply these insights to contemporary
situations;
3. appreciation
for the nature of the Bible as both human word and holy Scripture;
4. skill in reading the Bible
theologically.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Increased competence in
interpretation of the biblical text, familiarity with the main themes and
distinctive features of Ruth and Esther, will contribute to informed preaching
and teaching from them.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet one evening a
week, 6:00-9:30. Students will engage in translation, exegetical exercises, and
reflection on the meaning and significance of the biblical text.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. (5th ed.
Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997). ISBN: 978-3438052223. $39.99.
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.
$34.95.
Frederic Bush, Ruth, Esther (WBC 9; Dallas: Word Books, 1996). 500 pp. ISBN: 978-0849902086.
$50.00.
Katharine D. Sakenfeld, Ruth (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999). 112 pp. ISBN: 978-0804231497. $30.00.
or
Carol M. Bechtel, Esther (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002) 101 pp. ISBN: 978-0804231138. $30.00.
English Version of the Bible: NRSV, TNIV, Common English Bible.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
Jon Levenson, Esther (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1997) 164 pp. ISBN:
978-0664228873. $30.00.
Kirsten Nielsen, Ruth (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1997) 124 pp. ISBN:
978-0664227302. $30.00.
Athalya Brenner, ed., Feminist Companion to Ruth and Esther (Sheffield Academic Press,
1999) 272 pp. ISBN: 978-1850759782.
$35.00.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Regular preparation for and participation in
class exegetical discussions, including translation of the Hebrew text. 30%.
2. Two exegetical assignments (including
translation from the Hebrew text), one from Ruth (8-10 pp.) and one from Esther
(8-10 pp) 30% each.
3. An evaluative review of either Sakenfeld or Bechtel (8-10 pp.) 10%.
PREREQUISITES: LG502 A&B.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core
requirement OTC (Exegesis) and OTBK in MA programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course
design but is subject to modification.