Fall 2010/Pasadena
LG502
Thomas
LG502: BEGINNING HEBREW. Matthew A. Thomas.
DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to biblical Hebrew. Students
will gain a basic understanding of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of
biblical Hebrew and begin developing translation skills necessary for biblical
exegesis.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completing this course, the student will demonstrate
the ability 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.
COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly for four-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]. ISBN-13: 9781565632066
($34.95).
- Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica
Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997. ISBN-13:
978-3438052223 ($39.99).
- Green, Jennifer S., G. Brooke Lester, and Joseph F. Scrivner. Handbook
to A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005. ISBN-13:
978-0687008346 ($16.00).
- Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. ed. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1995. ISBN-13: 9780687157860 ($40.00).
- See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html and in the SOT
Academic Advising office.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Chisholm, Jr., Robert B. From Exegesis to Exposition: A
Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Baker, 1998. ISBN-13:
978-0801021718 ($28.00).
- Joüon, P., and T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew.
Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblio, 1991. ISBN-13: 978-8876536298 (Fuller
price: $80.00).
- Gesenius, W., and E. F. Kautzsch, et al. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar.
2nd. ed. Clarendon, 1963 [1910]. ISBN-13: 978-0198154068 (Fuller price:
$69.95).
- Tucker, W. Dennis, Jr. Jonah: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Baylor
University Press, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-1932792669 ($24.95).
- Williams, Ronald J. Hebrew Syntax: An Outline. 3rd ed. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0802094292 ($27.95).
- Recommended Vocabulary Resource:
- Van Pelt, Miles V. Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary
Cards. Zondervan, 2004. ($17.99). [Van Pelt's cards are keyed to Seow's
text (you may have to re-sort them). Of course, making your own set of
vocabulary cards provides additional writing practice and may help you learn
the words better.]
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Attendance and Participation (5%); (2) Homework
(15%); (3) Hebrew Text Presentation (5%); (4) Quizzes (Vocabulary and
Grammar) (25%); (5) Tests (25%); (6) Final exam (25%).
PREREQUISITES: Good standing. No audits.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: The course 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. (July 2010)