Fall 2017/Pasadena

LG506/806

Hays

LG506/806: ADVANCED HEBREW GRAMMAR (4 Units: 160 Hours/2 Units: 130 hours). Christopher B. Hays.

DESCRIPTION: This course surveys the changing morphology, syntax, orthography, and phonology of the Hebrew language from an historical perspective. Through weekly guided practice, the course will help 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 Archaic and Late Biblical Hebrew. The course will also emphasize the ways in which the history of the Hebrew language informs and is informed by our interpretations of the Old Testament.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will have demonstrated (1) competency in translating Standard Biblical Hebrew at an advanced master’s level; (2) the ability to identify and describe the major phases and dialects of ancient Hebrew; (3) the ability to translate texts from archaic to late periods of the language using standard reference works; (4) the ability to vocalize unpointed Hebrew texts, including both pre-exilic inscriptions and Qumran texts.

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. Class sessions will involve prepared translations of Hebrew texts as well as discussions and lectures.

REQUIRED READING:

[Note: The student is encouraged to purchase BibleWorks, which includes Jouon-Muraoka grammar at no charge. The Koehler-Baumgertner lexicon can also be added on to BW.]

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997. ISBN: 978-1598561630, Pub. Price $69.95 [1629 pp.].

Jastrow, Marcus. Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Babli, Yerushalmi, and Midrashic Literature (various print editions are available; it is also a free download from Google Books, though it is broken up into volumes).

Joüon, P. & T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. Editrice Pontifico Istituto Biblio, 1991. ISBN: 978-8876536298, Pub. Price $82.00 [832 pp.].

Koehler, L., and W. Baumgartner. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Brill, 2002. ISBN: 978-9004124455, Pub. Price $308.00 [2094 pp.].

Schniedewind, William M. A Social History of Hebrew: Its Origins through the Rabbinic Period. The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library. Yale University Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0300176681. $35.00 [280 pp.]

Van Pelt, Miles V. and Gary D. Pratico. The Vocabulary Guide to Biblical Hebrew. Zondervan, 2003. ISBN: 978-0310250722, Pub. Price $18.99 [336 pp.].

Course reader [300 pp.; includes Jo Ann Hackett, Na’ama Pat-El, Gary Rendsburg, C. L. Seow, Avi Hurvitz, etc.]

RECOMMENDED READING:

Gogel, Sandra Landis. A Grammar of Epigraphic Hebrew. SBLDS 23. Scholars Press, 1998. ISBN: 978-1555402884, Pub. Price $56.95.

Saenz-Badillos, A. A History of the Hebrew Language. Trans. J. Elwolde. Cambridge University Press, 1993. ISBN: 978-0521556347, Pub. Price $57.00 [384 pp.].

Sanders, Seth L. The Invention of Hebrew. Illinois University Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0252078354, Pub. Price $37.00.

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. ed. Abingdon, 1995. ISBN: 978-0687157860, Pub. Price $40.00 [380 pp.].

Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990. ISBN: 978-0931464317, Pub. Price $69.50.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 600 pp. of assigned reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [40 hours].

2. Class Participation: This includes preparation for and full participation in translation exercises, secondary readings, and discussions (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [60 hours].

3. Vocabulary quizzes, dropping the lowest score of six (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 3] [20 hours].

4. In-class examination including translations and questions on course content (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [40 hours].

PREREQUISITES: LG502 or LG502B.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets requirement in Ancient Context of the Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies emphases.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, in class.