Spring 2003/Pasadena
OT507
Allen
OT507: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: LAMENTATIONS. Leslie C. Allen.
DESCRIPTION:
- A study of Lamentations in the Hebrew text. Portions will be
selected to study in class, while students will reinforce their study with the
help of commentaries. The parts of the book not studied in Hebrew will be
exegeted from the English text (NRSV), so that the whole book is covered.
Attention will be paid to exegesis, structure, form, setting and canonical
value.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- The book of Lamentations, along with the book of Job, is a biblical
reaction to human suffering. Although set in an alien culture, it has lessons
to teach us about coping with grief and moving onward.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for teaching
and discussion.
REQUIRED READING:
- Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W. Lamentations. Interpretation.
Louisville: John Knox, 2002.
- Elliger, K. and Rudolph, W. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.
Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1983.
- Hillers D. R. Lamentations. Revised edition. Anchor Bible. New York:
Doubleday, 1992.
- Martin-Achard, R., and Re'emi, S. Paul. God's People in Crisis. A
Commentary on the Book of Amos and a Commentary on the Book of
Lamentations. International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1984.
- Westermann, C. Lamentations: Issues and Interpretation. Minneapolis:
Augsburg Fortress, 1994.
- See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Albrektson, B. Studies in the Text and Theology of the Book of
Lamentations. Lund: Gleerup, 1963.
- Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture.
Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1979.
- Linafelt, T. Surviving Lamentations. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 2000.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Basic study of the Hebrew text will precede class work assigned to
the text. Reading of commentaries, articles, and more general literature. A
midterm examination and an exegetical paper will also be required.
PREREQUISITES:
- LG502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Old Testament "c" (OTCE).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes. An examination involving mastery of the Hebrew text and
exegesis of the Hebrew passages.