Winter 2006/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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course has five objectives. First,
for students to apply their earlier language learning to specific texts.
Second, to develop ability in interpreting Old Testament texts. Third, to
understand the historical and cultural situations in which Lamentations was
written. Fourth, to understand the literary features of the book. Fifth, to use
Lamentations in their ministry.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Garrett, D., and P. R. House, Song of Songs, Lamentations.
Nashville: Nelson, 2004.
- 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.
- Provan, I. Lamentations. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
ASSIGNMENTS: 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.
PREREQUISITES: LG502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "c"
(OTCE).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. An examination involving mastery of the Hebrew text
and exegesis of the Hebrew passages.