DESCRIPTION: This course is devoted to elucidating various issues in the
phonology, morphology, and syntax of biblical Hebrew, with an emphasis upon
historical grammar. The course will focus upon helping students gain increased
competency in translating Standard Biblical Hebrew as well as gain exposure to
the historical grammar of other diachronic phases of the language, such as the
Archaic and Late Biblical Hebrew. The course will also give students an
increased appreciation of how an understanding of the social history of Hebrew
aids an interpretation of the theological message of the Old Testament.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the quarter, students will be able to (1)
demonstrate an increased ability to translate a variety of different forms of
biblical Hebrew, including both poetry and prose texts; (2) demonstrate a solid
grasp of the history of the Hebrew verbal system and its development during the
biblical period; (3) explain the different historical phases of biblical Hebrew
and how they relate to certain extra-biblical Hebrew texts from the first
millennium.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course provides an opportunity to achieve a more
thorough control of the language of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament than allowed
in introductory courses. An increased proficiency in biblical Hebrew as well as
an increased understanding of the history of the language leads to a deeper
appreciation for its bearing upon certain theological issues in the Hebrew
Bible/Old Testament.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Class
sessions will consist of short lectures, reading, quizzes, and translation
exercises.
REQUIRED READING: