BIBS213 Hebrew Old Testament Exegesis 2

Overview

Detailed study of Hebrew language and syntax, with weekly language exercises. The translation and exegesis of selected passages.

This paper builds on the introductory study of Hebrew done in HEBR 131/132 (or the equivalent), and is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge of Hebrew, so as to have a lifelong resource for the study of the Bible in its original language. The paper introduces students to the detailed study of specific biblical texts in the original Hebrew. We will become familiar with Hebrew grammar, syntax, and style, and learn how to use not only the standard editions of the biblical texts, but also the major grammars, lexica, and biblical commentaries. The texts studied change from year to year.

About this paper

Prerequisite

HEBR 103 or (HEBR 131 and HEBR 132)

Pre or Corequisite

BIBS 112

Restriction

BIBX 213

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Theology

Eligibility

Students must have studied enough Hebrew to read simple biblical texts in the original Hebrew before the paper begins, which usually means having completed HEBR 132 (or equivalent).

Contact

Dr James Harding james.harding@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Theology Programme’s website

Teaching staff

Dr James Harding

Paper Structure

Assessment:

• 6 assignments x 5% each (30%)
• Grammar comments 10%
• Final exam 60%

Teaching Arrangements

The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.

Campus: Two one-hour lectures per week for the full year.

Distance: Two one-hour lectures per week for the full year. Distance students participate in the campus classes via Zoom. Students who are unable to join classes can watch recordings at a later time.

Textbooks

Required: K. Elliger and W. Rudolph (eds.), Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th rev. ed.; Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1967/77)

Course outline

View the course outline for BIBS 213

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this paper, students will:

• Have studied extracts from specific biblical texts in the original Hebrew
• Understand the grammar, syntax, and translation problems of those texts
• Be familiar with the major tools for the scholarly study of the Bible in the Hebrew original.

Timetable

Overview

Detailed study of Hebrew language and syntax, with weekly language exercises. The translation and exegesis of selected passages.

This paper builds on the introductory study of Hebrew done in HEBR 131/132 (or the equivalent), and is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge of Hebrew, so as to have a lifelong resource for the study of the Bible in its original language. The paper introduces students to the detailed study of specific biblical texts in the original Hebrew. We will become familiar with Hebrew grammar, syntax, and style, and learn how to use not only the standard editions of the biblical texts, but also the major grammars, lexica, and biblical commentaries. The texts studied change from year to year.

About this paper

Prerequisite

HEBR 103 or (HEBR 131 and HEBR 132)

Pre or Corequisite

BIBS 112

Restriction

BIBX 213

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Theology

Eligibility

Students must have studied enough Hebrew to read simple biblical texts in the original before the paper begins. This usually means that they must have completed HEBR132 (or equivalent).

Contact

Dr James Harding: james.harding@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Theology Programme’s website

Teaching staff

Dr James Harding

Paper Structure

This paper involves studying a selection of Hebrew texts from the Tanakh/Old Testament in order to make the transition from elementary study of Hebrew to reading the Tanakh/Old Testament with confidence in the original. Texts will be drawn from the Former Prophets (Historical Books), Legal literature, Latter Prophets, “Wisdom” Literature, and Psalms. Classes and assignments will focus on understanding the grammar, syntax, idioms of the selected texts, and on the challenges of translation.

Assessment:

• Five assignments worth 5% each (25%)
• Comments on grammar and syntax (15%)
• Final examination (60%)

Teaching Arrangements

Two one-hour classes per week for the full year. Distance students join in the classes remotely via Zoom. Attendance at all classes is expected, but students who are unable to join a class can watch recordings of the classes they have missed.

Note: Students are expected to do a significant amount of work outside class.

Textbooks

Required:

Ehud Ben Zvi, Maxine Hancock, and Richard Beinert, Readings in Biblical Hebrew: An Intermediate Textbook (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993).

Recommended:

Bill T. Arnold and John H. Choi, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003) (eReserve).

H. H. Hardy II, Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew: A Refreshing Guide to Grammar and Interpretation (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2019) (eReserve).

H. P. Rüger (ed.), Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th ed.; Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1990).

Course outline

View the course outline for BIBS 213

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this paper, students will:

• be able to translate the set texts from the Torah, the Former and Latter Prophets, the “Wisdom” Literature, and the Psalms
• understand the grammar, syntax, idioms, accents, and literary forms of these texts
• be able to explain the difficulties with translating these texts

Timetable