Spring 2011/Pasadena
LG502B
Thomas
LG502B: BEGINNING HEBREW. Matthew A. Thomas.
DESCRIPTION: This course comprises the second half of a two-quarter
introduction to biblical Hebrew. Students enrolling in this course have
completed LG502A in the previous quarter with the same instructor (transferring
between sections is not permitted).
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 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.
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]. ISBN-13: 978-1565632066
($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. Revised Edition.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1995. ISBN-13: 978-0687157860 ($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.
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. ISBN-13: 978-0310259862 ($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) Midterm exam (25%); (6) Final exam (25%).
PREREQUISITES: LG502A, same section; 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. (January 2011)