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.

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.

The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for teaching and discussion.

Berlin, A. Lamentations. Louisville: Westminster 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.

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.

O'Connor, K. M. Lamentations and the Tears of the World. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2002.

Basic study of the Hebrew text will precede class work assigned to the text. Reading of commentaries, articles, and more general literature is required. A midterm examination and an exegetical paper will also be required.

LG502.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Old Testament "c" (OTCE).

Yes. An examination involving mastery of the Hebrew text and exegesis of the Hebrew passages.