Winter 2009/Pasadena
LG502A
Thomas
LG502A: BEGINNING HEBREW. Matthew A. Thomas.
DESCRIPTION: This course comprises the first half of a two-quarter
introduction to biblical Hebrew, with the second half offered the next quarter.
Students enrolling in this course are expected to enroll in LG502B the
following quarter with the same instructor (transferring between sections is
not permitted).
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this two-course sequence, the student will be
able to (1) read aloud from the Hebrew Bible; (2) write legibly in a standard
Hebrew script; (3) recognize and use high frequency vocabulary of biblical
Hebrew; (4) identify basic word forms, grammatical structures, and syntax; (5)
translate short passages from the Hebrew Bible using a standard lexicon and
other tools.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Interpreting the Bible in a critically responsible and
faithful way is vitally important in guiding our lives together as Christians,
and in whatever ministry God calls us to. The ability to read, translate, and
analyze the text of the Bible in its original languages greatly enhances our
search to discern God's message to us. With a basic understanding of the Hebrew
language, the Old Testament comes alive in new ways and allows us to open
ourselves to more of what God may be saying to us through God's word.
COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Class time
will consist of lecture, reading, and translating from the Hebrew Bible;
translation exercises, quizzes, and tests. Attendance is very important for
successfully completing this course and towards acquiring the skill of reading
biblical Hebrew. Students should expect to spend at least two hours of outside
preparation/homework for every hour of class time.
REQUIRED READING:
- Brown, F., S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English
Lexicon of the Old Testament, with an appendix, containing the Biblical
Aramaic. Hendrickson, 1996 [1906].
- Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica
Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997.
- Futato, Mark D. Beginning Biblical Hebrew. 2nd corrected
printing. Eisenbrauns, 2005.
- See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical
Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://www.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/091/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Joüon, P., and T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical
Hebrew. Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblio, 1991.
- Gesenius, W., and E. F. Kautzsch, et al. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar.
2nd. ed. Clarendon, 1963 [1910].
- Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.
- Williams, Ronald J. Hebrew Syntax: An Outline. 2nd ed. University of
Toronto, 1976.
- Recommended Resource:
- Dillard, Raymond B. Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Cards. Visual
Education Assn., 1997.
- OR Van Pelt, Miles V. Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary Cards.
Zondervan, 2004.
- [Both of these sets of vocabulary flash cards are keyed to Futato's text.
Of course, making your own set of vocabulary cards provides additional writing
practice and may help you learn the words better.]
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attendance and Participation (10%)
- Homework (20%)
- Quizzes (Vocabulary and Grammar) (25%)
- Two Tests (25%)
- Final exam (20%)
PREREQUISITES: None; no audits.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: The two-course sequence meets MDiv core requirement
in Hebrew (HEB).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/08)