DESCRIPTION:

The continuation of the study of the Akkadian language by the inductive method. The cuneiform texts from the Descent of Ishtar (whatever is left over from the previous quarter), the Flood Tablet of the Gilgamesh Epic (and various letters, if the time allows) will be read. Special attention will be given to the grammatical relationships to the Hebrew language and the cultural relationships to the Old Testament.

Akkadian is one of the oldest Semitic languages that was widely used in the Middle East over two millennia. Its linguistic study greatly enhances the grammatical and syntactical understanding of Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament. A great number of Akkadian documents have been referred to as parallels to the Old Testament by biblical scholars. This course will equip the student with the introductory linguistic knowledge needed to read these extra-biblical materials and to make his/her decision as to how they are related to the Old Testament.

The student will be asked to read and translate the text from cuneiform with the help of his/her notes. The linguistic, cultural and other various issues found in the text will be discussed, and some deductive explanations of the grammar will be given by the instructor. Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

Gaebelein, Paul W. and Toru Asai. Notes on Akkadian Grammar. (unpublished).

Marcus, David. A Manual of Akkadian. Lanham: University Press of America, 1978.

Caplice, Richard. Introduction to Akkadian. 3rd ed. Rome: Biblical Institute Press, 1988.

Course reader of Akkadian texts.

Borger, Rykle. Babylonisch-Assyrische Lesestüche. 2 vols. Rome: Pontificium Institutum Biblicum, 1979.

Black, Jeremy, Andrew George, and Nicholas Postgate, eds. A Concise Dictionary of Akkadian. 2nd corrected printing. Weisbaden: Harrassowitz, 2000.

Preparation for the class. The student should be prepared to read and translate the text for each class session.

LG502 Hebrew and LG535/835 Beginning Akkadian.

Elective. Required language for the Semitic concentration in the MA in Theology.

Written midterm and final exams.