DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to the grammar and syntax of Biblical Hebrew. The mastery of the basics of Hebrew will form a foundation on which to build and develop skills which can be applied to study in a Hebrew exegetical class, to further exploration of Semitic languages, or to growth in personal Bible study.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) be able to read aloud in the language; (2) be able to differentiate among words in the various parts of speech and to read and parse those words; (3) be able to identify and parse strong verb forms in all stems; (4) develop strategies for recognizing and parsing weak verbs in all stems (5) understand enough grammar and vocabulary to be able to translate a basic narrative text in the language; (6) develop a grasp of Hebrew syntax necessary to identify and translate the various components of a sentence; (7) use a lexicon to amplify their understanding of words, to find unknown words and to find the semantic range of words; (8) use a reference grammar to investigate grammatical and syntactical issues they do not understand; (9) understand the challenges, purposes, and value of learning this language.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Anyone who has taught from the Bible will be aware that different versions of the Bible often give radically different translations for the same verse and that consulting commentaries can sometimes increase the confusion. A knowledge of Hebrew can equip a person to make intelligent choices among the array of options presented by commentators and translators.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for four-hour sessions. The course will be based on the material in the required texts for the class. Classes will consist of lecture, reading from the Hebrew Bible, translation exercises, and daily quizzes. Because of the structure of this class, attendance at every class session is extremely important.

REQUIRED READING:

Brown, F.; S. R. Driver; and C. A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson, 1996.

Elliger, K. and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997.

Gesenius, Wilhelm. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Edited and enlarged by Emil Kautzsch. Second English Edition by A. E. Cowley. Oxford University Press, 1995.

Haney, Linda. Beginning Hebrew Grammar: Summer, 2006.

_________. Beginning Hebrew Workbook: Summer, 2006.

Williams, Ronald J. Hebrew Syntax. 2nd ed. University of Toronto Press, 1992.

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

Braun, Frank. English Grammar for Language Students. Ulrich's Books, 1947.

Kelley, Page H., Daniel S. Mynatt and Timothy G. Crawford. The Masorah of Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. William B. Eerdmans, 1998.

Scott, William R. A Simplified Guide to BHS. Bibal Press, 1995.

Würthwein, Ernst. The Text of the Old Testament. Trans. E. F. Rhodes. Eerdmans, 1979; repr., 1992.