Winter 2008/Pasadena
LG502
Lanfer

LG502: BEGINNING HEBREW. Peter Lanfer.


DESCRIPTION: This eight-hour intensive course is designed as an introduction to biblical Hebrew. Students will gain a basic understanding of the vocabulary, morphology, and grammar of the Hebrew language.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: A student completing this course will have demonstrated his/her ability (1) to read the Hebrew text aloud; (2) to translate by memory the most frequently occurring vocabulary; (2) to understand and recognize the different grammatical categories present in Hebrew: nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, verbs, and verbal forms; (4) to understand enough grammar to read a basic narrative text; (5) to learn to use a lexicon to amplify their understanding of words, to find unknown words and to find the semantic range of words; (6) to translate Hebrew texts and interact with reference grammars, lexicons and commentaries to develop a basic understanding of linguistic techniques of biblical exegesis; (8) to write legibly in standard Hebrew script.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The ability to exegete and interpret the Bible is a necessary ingredient of any preaching or teaching ministry. A working knowledge of Hebrew will enhance every minister's skill in exegesis, and will provide the critical skills necessary to intelligently evaluate various translations and commentaries.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly, four hours per session. The course will be based on the material in Seow's Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, with the introduction of supplemental material as needed. Class sessions will include lecture, review of assignments, oral reading and translation, and frequent quizzes designed to reinforce learning and to provide students with feedback about their progress. Attendance at all class sessions is vital, and students should expect to spend at least two hours of outside preparation for every hour in class.

REQUIRED READING:

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996.

Elliger, Karl, and Wilhelm Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997.

Gesenius, Wilhelm. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Edited and enlarged by Emil Kautzsch. 2nd English ed. by A. E. Cowley. Oxford University Press, 1995.

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. ed. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995.
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:
Joüon, Paul, and T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. 2 vols. Subsidia Biblica 14. Translated and revised by T. Muraoka. Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblio, 1996.

Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.

ASSIGNMENTS: Daily assignments will include the completion of exercises and readings from Seow, oral recitation and translation, and the learning of vocabulary. The course grade will be based on class participation and required readings and exercises (15%), daily quizzes (25%), two midterm exams (30%), and a final exam (30%).

PREREQUISITES: Good standing; no audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MDiv core requirement in Hebrew (HEB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available