Winter 2018/Pasadena
OT527
Thomas
OT527: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: 1 & 2 SAMUEL, Hebrew Text (4 Units: 160 hours). Matthew A. Thomas.
DESCRIPTION: The book(s) of 1 and 2 Samuel will be examined critically in terms of their ancient context and their ongoing significance for communities of faith. The study will include an introduction to the structure, theology, genres, and contexts (literary, historical, and socially-located) of the book(s) and their reading contexts. In addition, significant time will be spent exegetically examining the Hebrew text of representative passages. The development of exegetical skills and application to ministry and contemporary contexts will be central to the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret 1 and 2 Samuel within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of 1 and 2 Samuel; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of 1 and 2 Samuel; (4) to use Hebrew based language tools for interpreting the text; (5) to recognize hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers; and (6) to interpret this text for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.
REQUIRED READING: [652 pp. assigned total in secondary literature + ~150 pp. in the Bible]
BibleWorks 10 software, which includes the following components: 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 Joüon, P. - T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, Parts 1, 2 & 3. Biblical Institute Press, 2006. Koehler, L. and W. Baumgartner. Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 Volumes. Brill, 2002. BibleWorks is priced at $389, or $289 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.
Brueggemann, W. First and Second Samuel: Interpretation. Westminster John Knox, 1990. ISBN: 978-0804231084, Pub. Price $40.00 [357 pp. assigned].
Chisholm, Jr., Robert B. From Exegesis to Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Baker, 1998. ISBN: 978-0801021718, Pub. Price $28.00. [180 pp. assigned]
Elliger, K. and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Hendrickson, 2006. Compact edition: ISBN: 978-1598561630, Pub. Price $69.95.
Essays on eReserves by J. D'ror Chankin-Gould, et al; Christopher B. Hays; Heather McKay; Gilbert Okuro Ojwang; Naomi Steinberg; Meir Sternberg; and Charlene van der Walt [115 pp. assigned]
RECOMMENDED READING:
Birch, Bruce C. "The First And Second Books Of Samuel: Introduction, Commentary, And Reflections." Pages 307-628 in The New Interpreter’s Bible. Volume II. Abingdon, 1998. ISBN: 978-1426735790, Pub. Price $75.99. [Note: Birch's commentary is available online via the Fuller database “Ministry Matters.”]
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
800 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome ## 1-6] [55 hours].
Preparation of Hebrew passages for exegetical discussion and participation in follow up activities in Canvas (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes ## 1-6]. [30 hours].
Exegetical Analysis Notes (30%): Students will analyze approximately 90 verses of Hebrew over the quarter, identifying exegetical issues. Notes will include exegetical insights and answers to instructor prompts. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes ## 4 & 6]. [30 hours].
Hebrew Text Presentation (20%): Students will work in small groups to prepare and present a Hebrew passage to the class. Each student will be responsible to present on approximately 3 verses of text. The presentation will include reading part of the passage aloud; noting significant grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, and/or textual issues; and brief exegetical insights. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes ## 2, 3, 4, 6]. [5 hours].
Exegetical Paper (30%): A 3000-3750 word (approximately 12-15 pages) exegetical paper on an assigned passage. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes ## 1-6]. [40 hours].
PREREQUISITES: LG500, LG502, or LG502A/B or passing grade on a waiver exam; BI500 or NE502; OT500 or OT501 or OT502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Biblical Language Exegesis requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Meets the OTBE or OTCE in the 144 MDiv Program.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.