Spring 2015/Pasadena

LG500

Thomas

LG500: HEBREW TOOLS FOR BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION (4 Units: 160 hours). Matt A. Thomas.

DESCRIPTION: This course offers a limited introduction to biblical Hebrew, including the writing system, basic lexicon, morphology, and syntax. The emphasis is on the responsible employment of standard reference works, commentaries, and Bible software to the practice of Old Testament interpretation in ministry contexts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to recognize and write the Hebrew alphabet in square script; (2) to read and pronounce Hebrew words easily; (3) to work with standard Hebrew language tools (e.g., lexicons, concordances, analytical concordances, and grammars) in the service of Old Testament exegesis; (4) to discern the syntax of sentences with and without verbs; (5) to discern the meaning of words in sentences; and (6) to recognize the distinctive features of Hebrew poetry in contrast to prose.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: 200 pp. required.

Walker-Jones, Arthur. Hebrewfor Biblical Interpretation. Society of Biblical Literature, 2003. ISBN: 978-1589830868, Pub. Price $34.95 [263 pp.]. [Reading, reference and exercises.]

Instructional videos available on Moodle.

BibleWorks, including the module “Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT)”

Notes:

1. Use of approved Bible software is mandatory; it will be used in Hebrew, Greek, and other biblical studies courses, and will be useful in future ministry.

2. BibleWorks is priced at $359, or $259 with group discount; see www.bibleworks.com/IPP/. Currently the HALOT module is $159, the standard Greek lexicon (BDAG) is $150, and both together are $212.

3. These tools can be useful in biblical studies courses as well as in subsequent ministry. BibleWorks is available for either PC or Mac (for system requirements, see http://www.bibleworks.com/content/sys-req.html).

4. Successful completion of the course requires ongoing access to the following reference works, all of which are available in BibleWorks: an exhaustive Hebrew concordance, the text of the Hebrew Bible, Brown, F. with S.R. Driver & C.A. Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew English Lexicon. Hendrickson, 1996. Gesenius, W., E.F. Kautzsch, et al. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Dover Publications, 2006 OR Jouon, P. - T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, Parts 1, 2 & 3. Biblical Institute Press, 2006. Koehler, L., W. Baumgartner. Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 Volumes. Brill, 2002.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Elliger, K. and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Hendrickson, 2006. Compact edition: ISBN: 978-1598561630, Pub. Price $69.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 200 pages of assigned reading [13 hours].

2. Instructional videos [27 hours].

3. Quiz on the Hebrew alphabet (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [2 hours].

4. Oral exam on reading simple Hebrew texts aloud (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [3 hours].

5. Exam on Hebrew conjunctions and prepositions (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [4 hours].

6. Exam on Hebrew verbs (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3 and 4] [4 hours].

7. Homework (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6] [42 hours].

8. Exegetical worksheets (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3, 4, 5, 6] [15 hours].

9. FINAL exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3, 4, 5, and 6] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Hebrew requirement in 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.