Winter 2019/Pasadena

LG500

Melzian

LG500: HEBREW TOOLS FOR BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION (4 Units: 160 hours). Marilyn Lundberg Melzian, Ph.D.

DESCRIPTION: This course offers a limited introduction to biblical Hebrew, including the writing system, basiclexicon,morphology, and syntax. The emphasis is on theresponsible employmentofstandard reference works, commentaries, and Bible softwareto 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, grammars, and Bible software) 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; (6) to recognize the distinctive features of Hebrew poetry in contrast to prose; and (7) to translate short passages with the aid of standard tools.

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:

Accordance Bible software (see notes below for required packages and pricing).

Walker-Jones, Arthur. Hebrew for Biblical Interpretation. Society of Biblical Literature, 2003. ISBN: 978-1589830868, Pub. Price $34.95 [263 pp.].

Instructional videos available on Canvas.

Notes:

  1. Approved Bible software is mandatory in this course and will be used in other language and biblical studies courses. It can be useful, also, in subsequent ministry. Accordance is available for either PC or Mac (for system requirements, see https://www.accordancebible.com/System-Requirements).
  2. The Accordance Greek and Hebrew combined package (Academic Amber1 Bundle) is $499 with the Fuller discount. Alternatively, one may purchase individual Greek and Hebrew packages with Accordance; however, the full language package (Academic Amber 1 Bundle) includes the requisite software requirements for both LG500 (Hebrew Tools) and LG510 (Greek Tools). With the Fuller discount, the smaller language bundles are priced as follows: 1) The Hebrew Initial (Amber) Bundle is $300 (the Greek Upgrade to this Hebrew Initial Bundle is $250). 2) The Greek Initial (Amber) Bundle is $330 (the Hebrew Upgrade to this Greek Initial Bundle is $220). The Fuller coupon code will be distributed to Fuller students.
  3. Successful completion of the course requires ongoing access to the following reference works, all of which are available in Accordance: the text of the Hebrew Bible (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia); Koehler, L. and W. Baumgartner. Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 2 Volumes. Brill, 2002 (HALOT); Gesenius, W., E.F. Kautzsch, et al. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Dover Publications, 2006; Jouon, P. and T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, Parts 1, 2 & 3. Biblical Institute Press, 2006; Waltke, B. K. and M. O’Connor, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Brown, A. Philip and Bryan Smith. A Reader's Hebrew Bible. Zondervan, 2008. ISBN: 978-0310269748, Pub. Price $49.99.

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

Vance, Donald A., George Athas, and Yael Avrahami. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia: A Reader’s Edition. Hendrickson, 2015. ISBN: 978-1598563429, Pub. Price $59.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 200 pages of assigned reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #]. [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 outcome #3 &4]. [4 hours]
  7. Homework (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-6]. [42 hours]
  8. Exegetical worksheets (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3-6]. [15 hours]
  9. Final exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3-6]. [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.