COURSE DESCRIPTION

A continuation of OT 551 (prerequisite). A continuation of the study of vocabulary and syntax with special attention to the weak verb. The course includes extensive reading from the Hebrew Bible and an introduction to exegetical procedures based on the Hebrew text. Three hours.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:

1. Translate unfamiliar passages of moderate difficulty from the Hebrew Old Testament,

2. Read aloud from the Hebrew text, showing a mastery of Hebrew script and pronunciation,

3. Identify and translate basic vocabulary words, as presented in the exercises of each chapter of the textbook,

4. Identify and translate the roots or stems of Hebrew words, thus displaying recognition of the changes in and additions to the roots found in various forms, and reproduce from memory representative paradigms of Hebrew verbal and nominal forms, and

5. Perform basic exegetical practices with the Hebrew text, including understanding basic syntactical relationships of the Hebrew language and interpretative procedures when dealing with the original text.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance and class participation based on daily assignments (see policies below).
Readings and daily assignments from Kelley as assigned in the schedule below. The student should study the material and move immediately into the daily assignments, which are due each class period. A selected answer key can be found in the Handbook.

Daily work is the key to learning Hebrew. The student must work daily on the material. Falling behind can be fatal to the learning process!

Translate, and discuss where required, selected portions of Genesis as assigned in the schedule below. Translations should include locating all verb forms fully, with stem, form, person, gender, number, and root. The professor has supplied translation notes to help the student with especially difficult forms or forms that the student has not yet studied.
The student will be required to write a 6-10 page exegesis paper on a passage from Genesis. The paper should include translation of the text (approximately 10 verses), discussion of relevant terms, phrases, and syntactical forms, and evaluation of any controversial translation or textual issues. The scripture text may be a text that was assigned for a daily assignment. The student should consult at least 5 sources outside of the course textbooks. This paper is due the week before the final exam.
A final exam will be administered during the assigned class period. The exam will cover the translation exercises from class, as well as important interpretative insights gained from the translation.

GRADING SYSTEM

Final grades will be calculating according to the following system.

Daily Assignments 50%

Exegesis Paper 25%

Final Exam 25%

POLICIES

1. Attendance is required at scheduled classes. Two or three excused absences will not affect the student’s grade. In order to learn Hebrew, however, the student must be in class and complete the required daily work.

Work is expected on the due date. Late work will receive a letter grade reduction until it is one week late. After one week, the assignment will receive a two letter grade reduction. After two weeks the assignment will not be accepted and a zero will be entered as the grade for the assignment, unless arrangement is made with the professor.

In accordance with the policy of HGST, students should not bring cell phones and pagers to class unless they are turned off. These devices are serious disruptions in class.

GRADING SCALE

The following grading system will be used for this class, remembering that and “A” is a superior grade, a “B” an above average grade, and a “C” is quality, satisfactory work.

COURSE SCHEDULE--Day

Jan. 23 Class Introduction

Review

Jan. 30 LESSON XXI Exercises 1, 2, & 3—Note that in exercise #1, some of the forms

contain weak verbs that affect the forms (esp. #2, 3, 4, 10, & 12).

Genesis 1:1-5 See Notes for translation assignments below!

Feb. 6 LESSON XXII Exercises 3 (#1-5), 4 (#1-5), 5 (#1-4), 6 (#1-3), 7 (#1-3)

Genesis 1:26-28 (BHS Notes)

Feb. 13 LESSON XXIII Exercises 2 & 3

Genesis 3:1-5

Feb. 20 LESSON XXIV Exercises 2 (#1-10), 3 (#1-5), 4 (#1-5)

Genesis 3:6-8

Feb. 27 LESSON XXV Exercises 2, 3 (#1-5), 4 (#1-5), 5 (#1-5), 6 (#1-3)

Genesis 3:9-12

Mar. 6 LESSON XXVI Exercises 1 (#1-5), 2 (#1-5), 3 (1-5), 4 (#1-12)

Genesis 3:13-15

Mar. 13 LESSON XXVII Exercises 1 (#1-10), 2 (#1-10), 3 (#1-5)

Genesis 12:1-4

Mar. 17-21 Spring Break

Mar. 27 LESSON XXVIII Exercises 1, 2 (#1-5), 4 (#1-5)

Genesis 12:5-9 (Watch for names)

Apr. 3 LESSON XXIX Exercises 1, 3 (#1-5)

Genesis 14:17-20

Apr. 10 LESSON XXX Exercises 1 (#1-10), 2 (#1-5), 3 (#1-5)

Genesis 17:1-5

Apr. 17 LESSON XXXI Exercises 1 (#1-6), 2 (#1-6), 3 (#1-4), 4 (#1-4)

Apr. 24 Verb Review Study all Verb Charts for Oral Review in Class

Genesis 17:6-10

May 1 Genesis 17:15-19

Genesis 25:20-23 (Watch for names)

May 8 Genesis 25:24-28 (Watch for names)

**Paper Due**

Review for Final Exam

May 15 Final Exam

Translation Notes

Genesis 1:1-5--

yhiyÒ is Qal Impf. 3ms, jussive, of hy:h;.

yhiyÒw" is Qal Impf. 3ms with waw consecutive of hy:h;.

ar]Y"w" is Qal Impf. 3ms with waw consecutive from ha;r;.

Genesis 1:26-28

WDr]yIwÒ is Qal Impf. 3mp, jussive, with waw conjunctive from hd;r;.

WrP] is Qal Impv. ms from hr;P;.

Wbr]W is Qal Impv. ms from hb;r;.

Wdr]W is Qal Impv. Ms from hd;r;.

Also note the parallels in v. 26 & v. 28.

Genesis 3:1-5

W[GÒti is Qal Impf. 2mp from [g"n:.

@WtmuT] is Qal Impf. 2mp from tWm.

t/m is Qal Inf. Abs. from tWm.

!t,yyIh]wI is Qal Per. 2mp from hy:h;.

Genesis 3:6-8

ar,Tew" is Qal impf. 3fs with waw consecutive from ha;r;.

jQ'Tiw"--Qal impf. 3fs with waw consecutive from jq'l;.

@TeTiw"--Qal impf. 3fs with waw consecutive from @t'n:.

W[d]YEw"--Qal impf. 3mp with waw consecutive from [d'y:.

Wc[}Y"w"--Qal impf. 3mp with waw consecutive from hc;[;.

Genesis 3:9-12

ar;yaiw:--Qal impf. 1cs with waw consecutive from arey:.

dyGIhi--Hif. perf. 3ms from dg"n:.

*ytiyWIxi--Piel perf. 1cs with 2ms suffix from hw:x;.

hT;t'n:--Qal perf. 2ms from @t'n:.

Genesis 3:13-15

tyci[;--Qal perf. 3fs from hc;[;.

ynIa'yVihi--Hif. perf. 3ms with 1cs suffix from av;n:.

t;yci[;--Qal perf. 2ms from hc;[.

&lete--Qal impf. 2ms from &l'h;.

tyvia;--Qal impf. 1cs from tyvi.

*p]WvyÒ--Qal impf. 3ms with 2ms suffix from #Wv.

WNp,WvT]--Qal impf. 2ms with 3ms suffix from #Wv.

Genesis 12:1-4

&l,--Qal impv. Ms from &l'h;.

+;a,r]a' & hyEh]w< are in Lesson XXVII (hint: the 1st form has a 2ms suffix).

raoa;--Qal impf. 1cs from rr;a;.

&l,YEw"--Qal impf. 3ms with waw consecutive from &l'h.

wtoaxeB]--Qal inf. con. with preposition and 3ms suffix from ax;y:.

Genesis 12:5-9

***Watch for names.***

jQ'YIw", @Tea,, & [S'YIw"--These forms are in Lesson XXVIII.

Wax]YEw"--Qal impf. 3mp with waw consecutive from ax;y:.

tk,l,l;--Qal inf. con. with preposition from &l;h;.

WaboY:w"--Qal impf. 3mp with waw consecutive from a/B.

fYEw"--Qal impf. 3ms with waw consecutive from hf;n:.

Genesis 14:17-20

***Watch for names.***

/bWv --This form is in Lesson XXIX.

t/Kh'me--Hif. inf. con. with preposition from hk;n:.

Genesis 17:1-5

ar;YEw"--Nif. impf. 3ms with waw consecutive from ha;r;.

hn:T]a,wÒ--Qal impf. 1cs with waw conjunction and 3fs suffix from @t'n:.

Genesis 17:6-10

ytimoqih}w"--Hif. per. 1cs from !Wq.

t/yh]li & ytiyyIh;wÒ--Verb forms from hy:h;.

lwMohi--Nif. inf. abs. from lWm.

Genesis 17:15-19

dleW:yI, dleTe, & td,l,yO --From dl'y:.
Bibliography

Grammars

Cowley, A.E., and E. Kautzsch (eds.). Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar. 2d Eng. edition. Oxford, 1910. Traditionally the best of the reference grammars. Later editions are available.

Jouon, Paul. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. Translated and revised by T. Muraoka. Rome: Editrice Pontificio Instituto Biblico, 1991.

Kelley, Page. Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar. Eerdmans, 1992.

Lambdin, Thomas O. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1971.

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Revised edition. Abingdon, 1995. Continues and updates the Lambdin approach to learning Hebrew.

Weingreen, J. A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew. 2d ed. Oxford: Clarendon, 1959.

Critical Editions of the Hebrew Bible

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS). Stuttgart: Deutsche
Bibelgesellschaft, 1983. This is the standard critical text of the Hebrew Bible.

Goshen-Gottstein, Moshe, ed. Hebrew University Bible. Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1965-.

Kelley, Page. The Masorah of Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia: Introduction and Annotated Glossary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. Helpful for understanding the Masoretic notes in the Hebrew text.

Kittel, R. Biblia Hebraica, 3rd ed. Stuttgart: Privileg Wurtt Bibelanstalt, 1937.

Lexicons

Brown, F., S.R. Driver, and C.A. Briggs. Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Hendrickson, 1979. The best of the older lexicons, still considered the standard Hebrew lexicon in English. Often abbreviated BDB.

Clines, David J. A. (ed.). The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew. 8 vols. Sheffield Academic Press, 1993-. Four volumes have appeared. Designed for a contextual approach to understanding the meaning of words.

Einspahr, Bruce. Index to Brown, Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. Chicago: Moody Press, 1976. This text assists the reader to overcome some of the difficulties of BDB, particularly ascertaining the root of difficult forms.

Holladay, W.L. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971. Useful, quick reference, especially for newer students of Hebrew.

Koehler, L., and W. Baumgartner et al. (eds.). The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. 4 vols. Brill, 1994-1998. A translation of the most complete Hebrew German lexicon.

Syntax and Advanced Helps

Accordance 4.2 on CD-ROM. Gramcord, 2000. The most comprehensive computer concordance for Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and English versions. Available for PC and Macintosh computers.

Even-Shoshan, E. A New Concordance of the Old Testament Using the Hebrew and Aramaic Text. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. The best concordance for the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.

Lisowsky, Gerhard. Konkordanz zum hebraischen Alten Testament. Stuttgart: Wurttembergische Bibelanstalt, 1958.

Waltke, B.K., and M. O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1990. An integration of modern linguistic approaches.

Williams, Ronald J. Hebrew Syntax: An Outline. 2d edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1976.

Textual Criticism

Brotzman, E. Old Testament Textual Criticism: A Practical Introduction. Baker, 1994. Good Evangelical introduction for the beginner. Special guides for using BHS.

Klein, Ralph W. Textual Criticism of the Old Testament: From the Septuagint to Qumran. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1974. Excellent brief introduction to the topic, but it is out of print.

McCarter, P. Kyle. Textual Criticism: Recovering the Text of the Hebrew Bible. In Guides to Biblical Scholarship, ed. Gene M. Tucker. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1986.

Tov, Emmanuel. The Text-Critical Use of the Septuagint in Biblical Research. Revised edition. Jerusalem Biblical Studies volume 8. Jerusalem: Simor, 1997.

. Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992. The best introduction to the subject.

Würthwein, Ernst. The Text of the Old Testament. 2nd edition. Eerdmans, 1995. Classic discussion of the Hebrew texts and the versions.

Genesis Commentaries

Alter, Robert. Genesis; Translation and Commentary. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1996. (HGST 222 . 11077 Alt, Rice BS1233 .A78 1996)

Armstrong, Karen. In the Beginning. New York: Knopf, 1996. (Rice BS1235.2 .A76 1996) A very radical feminist analysis of Genesis.

Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis. Interpretation. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982.

Calvin, John. Commentary on Genesis. See The Works of John Calvin. Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1843-1855. Reprinted, T. & T. Clark and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. (HGST 222.11 077 Cal)

Cassuto, Umberto. Commentary on the Book of Genesis. Vol. I: From Adam to Noah; Vol. II: Noah to Abraham. Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1961-1964. (HGST 222 .11 077 Cas, Rice BS1235.3 .C3 1964)

Delitzsch, Franz. A New Commentary on Genesis. Two vols.; 5th ed.; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1899. (HGST 222 .11 Del) Nineteenth century defender of conservative and traditional interpretation against Biblical criticism.

Driver, Samuel Rolles. The Book of Genesis. London: Methuen & Co., Ltd., 1904. Older exponent of Biblical criticism.

Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. (Rice BS1235.3 .H32 1990).

. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18-50. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. (Rice BS1235.3 .H32 1995).

Kidner, Derek. Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. IVP, 1967. An elegant interpretation of the book. Evangelical. (HGST 222.11 Kid)

Mathews, Kenneth A. Genesis 1-11:26. New American Commentary. Vol. 1A. Nashville: Broadman Holman, 1996.

Moyers, Bill. Genesis. New York: Doubleday, 1996. The printed version of the PBS series of conversations about Genesis. Not a continuous analysis or commentary but many stimulating opinions from a variety of religious traditions.

Rosenblatt, Naomi H., and Joshua Horwitz. Wrestling with Angels; What Genesis Teaches Us about Our Spiritual Identity, Sexuality, and Personal Relationships. New York: Delta (Dell Publishing), 1996.

Speiser, Ephraim Avigdon. Genesis (AB). Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1964. Interesting insights from archaeology. (HGST , Rice BS192.2 .A1 1964 .G3)

Von Rad, Gerhard. Genesis. Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1st ed. 1961; rev. ed. 1973. Leading twentieth-century form critic. (HGST 222 .1107 Von, Rice BS1235.3 .R3213 1972)

Waltke, Bruce K. Genesis: A Commentary. Zondervan, 2001. A competent Evangelical commentary emphasizing theological insights.

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1-15. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word Books, 1987.

. Genesis 16-50. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas Word Books, 1994.

Westermann, Claus. Genesis 1-11: A Continental Commentary. Translated by John J. Scullion. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994. (BS1235.3 .W43213 1994)

. Genesis 12-36. Translated by John J. Scullion. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995. (BS1235.3 .W43213 1994)

. Genesis 37-50. Translated by John J. Scullion. Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1986. (BS1235 W43213 1986)