THEO 5214 Hebrew Exegesis First Semester: 07 Sep 2015-30 Nov 2015 Lecturer: Prof. Nancy Tan Office: LKK324; email: nancytan@cuhk.edu.hk Course Description This course continues from the basics of Biblical Hebrew I and II. It introduces the technical skills and steps involved in Hebrew Exegesis. Therefore, the student will be taught the foundation of exegesis, how to use and read both BHS and BHQ (Biblia Hebraica Quinta), including textual criticism. The student will also learn to do lexical studies, analyze syntax with the appropriate tools. Students will learn to apply these skills on the book of Jonah, in particular. At the same time, they will learn to evaluate commentaries. Through these primary skills, the student will be guided how to exegete theology of the texts and also explore possibilities of interpretations. Learning Outcomes: Knowledge Outcomes: (1) know how to use the reference tools needed to do Hebrew exegesis (2) know how to use BHS and BHQ (3) analyze syntax with a given Hebrew text (4) know how to use Hebrew Grammar Books (5) explain how to do textual criticism with a given Hebrew text (6) apply exegetical guidelines to exegete a given Hebrew text (7) recognize how syntax, textual criticism and traditions can affect the interpretation of texts (8) know how to make use of concordances, lexicons, and dictionaries for Hebrew exegesis (9) analyze and evaluate commentaries Attitude Outcomes: (1) develop an appreciation for the long history and tradition of the transmission of texts (2) be confident in using appropriate tools for specific needs to interpreting texts (3) be confident in reading and exegeting Biblical Hebrew texts (4) inculcate respect for meticulous scholarship to interpret a text Course Structure and Requirements This class meets for 3 hours per week (to make up for 11 Sep). The course has basically two main parts. In the first part, students are taught textual criticism and guided and taught the primary steps on how to read and use the BHS and BHQ. The second part of the course concentrates on applying these technical steps to the various methodologies of Old Testament Exegesis while reviewing other parts of Hebrew Grammar. 1
Assessments Class attendance and participation is absolutely necessary. As this class is designed on a step-by-step and hands-on learning experience, students are expected to participate in all class sessions and every class assignment must be punctual as well. Please regularly check for class notes and announcements whether from the lecturer or from your classmates contribution to the course from http://blackboard.cuhk.edu.hk 1. Textual Criticism on the book of Jonah (12% of total grade) i. List and Analyze ALL the BHQ notes in the book of Jonah (5%) ii. Comment and evaluate on ALL the above notes (7%) Due date: 25 th Oct 2015 2. Lexical Study on a Word in the book of Jonah (25% of total grade) i. Churn out a list of the word occurring in the Hebrew Bible ii. Read through all the occurrences and put them into meaningful categories define and specify these categories (3%) iii. Perform preliminary task of interpreting from these categories (7%) iv. Attempt to place the meanings derived in iii. in the larger context of Jonah (5%) v. Evaluate your interpretations with recommended source by your instructor (10%) (Note: for tasks ii-v, you should not exceed 1,500 words) Due date: 9 th Nov 2015 3. Exegetical Methods on the book of Jonah (48% of total grade) i. Preliminary interpretation of the book of Jonah from Steck Chapter 1 (p.7) (8%) Due date: 28 Sep 2015. ii. Write a report between 850 1000 words on Determining the Historical Setting of the book of Jonah (please follow procedures from Steck Chapter 9, pp. 143 49, and consult the commentaries recommended). (20%) Due date: 30 th Nov 2015. iii. Perform Literary Criticism on the book of Jonah according to the guidelines from Steck Chapters 1, pp. 8 12 (i.e., do Part I: Imagination from Text Observations); 4, p. 58. This assignment should be about 5 7 pages long including the outline or structure on the book/portions of Jonah. Do NOT exceed 10 pages for this assignment. (20%) Due date: 7 th Dec 2015. 4. Evaluative Report on Commentaries (15%) Write a 1,000-1,500 words report commenting (either positive or critical) on the commentary/ies you have utilized in the course of studying the book of Jonah. Remember to give reasons and examples to support your statements. Due date: 7 th Dec 2015. Assignments 2, 3 and 4 must be submitted via the Webpage of the Chinese University Plagiarism Identification Engine https://veriguide2.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/cuhk/index.jsp; and send the same hard copy to your teacher through blackboard. Upon receipt of an 2
acknowledgement, print out the receipt and signed Academic Honesty Declaration Statement, hand them together to your teacher s mailbox at LLK. Failure to hand in on the due date will be subjected to penalization. Course Textbooks Biblia Hebraica quinta editione cum apparatu critico novis curis elborato: The Twelve Minor Prophets, 13. Prepared by Anthony Gelston. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2010. [Abbreviation: BHQ] Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1990 [Abbreviation: BHS]. Scott, William R., A Simplified Guide to BHS: Critical Apparatus, Masora, Accents Unusual Letters & Other Markings. Berkeley, California: Bibal Press, 1987, Second Edition, 1990. Also in this cover: An English Key to the Latin Words and Abbreviations and the Symbols of Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia by H. P. Rüger. [Abbreviation: Scott] Steck, Odil Hannes, Old Testament Exegesis (trans. James D. Nogalski; Resources for Biblical Studies, 39; Georgia, Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998). [Abbreviation: S] Wegner, Paul D. A Student s Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible (Illinois: IVP, 2006). [Abbreviation: W] Course Schedule and Readings: Sep 07 Jonah 2 translations; Hebrew Grammar and Poetry Key concepts: Hebrew Bible Poetry and grammar Area covered: Jonah 2; Hebrew grammar and Hebrew poetry Sep 14 Introduction to Hebrew Exegesis (Bring S) Key concepts: exegesis, interpretation and imagination Area covered: S, The Task of Old Testament Exegesis, 1 35; Interpretation as Determination of the Text s Historical Meaning, 153 169. Commentaries and Exegesis Activity: Assignment - Steck chapter 1 (p. 7) on the book of Jonah (A3i) Sep 21 Using BHQ (Bring BHS, BHQ, W, and Scott; and previous translations on Jonah) Key concepts: transmission of texts; Masoretes; BHS and BHQ Textual Apparatus; Masoretic Notations Area covered: Introduction to Transmission of Texts; W Chps 1 3. Introduction to Textual Criticism; W Chps. 4 6; How to read BHQ and BHS 3
Sep 28 Oct 5 Oct 12 Oct 19 Oct 25 Nov 2 Nov 9 Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 30 J Day after Mid-Autumn FESTIVAL Area covered: Apply concepts from previous lecture Activity: Interpret BHQ notes in Jonah (A1i) (Bring BHQ, W and previous translations on Jonah) Area covered: Application of Textual Criticism Activity: Comment and evaluate on BHQ notes on the book of Jonah (A1ii) Urtext; Internal evidence; best reading; emendation Area covered: A Glimpse of Qumran scrolls (Bring W, BHQ, and A 1 i & ii) Activity: Comment on the Qumran scrolls on Jonah Word Study Key concepts: semantics; lexicography; word fallacy Area covered: Purposes and how to use concordances, lexicons, dictionaries and Theological Dictionaries Activity: A2i, ii, iii, iv, v. Determining Historical Contexts Key concepts: historical; contexts Area covered: S Chp 9 (Bring S) Activity: 3ii. The Exegetical Process Key concepts: Area covered: S Chp 11 (Bring S) Examining an illustration of 28:10 22. Literary Criticism Key concepts in S 1: structure, identifying connectives and words, literary integrity, disunity, and contexts; doublets; tensions; layers Area covered: S 4 (Bring S) Activity: 1. Re-read the Hebrew text of Jonah 2. A3i (1); 3A3i (3); S 1, pp. 8 12; S 4, 58 Hebrew Grammar and Syntax Key concepts: syntax and meanings Area covered: Grammar tools and Analyzing Hebrew Grammar Syntax (Introducing Intermediate and Advance Hebrew Grammar books) Visit the United Jewish Congregation Conclusion Introducing Other Extant Texts and their languages Implications and Conclusions 4
Course Feedback and Evaluation Students will do course evaluations at mid-term and end of term in class. The latter is conducted by the university wide exercise. 5
Reference Tools: Dictionaries and Lexicons *Botterweck, G. J., H. Ringgren, H.-J. Fabry (eds.). Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Eerdmans (15 vols; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977-). Brown, Driver, and Briggs. A Hebrew & English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Reprinted; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1979. Clines, David J. A., ed. The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew (6 vols.-; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993-2007). Jenni, E. and C. Westermann (eds.). Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament (3 vols.; Hendrickson, 1997). Ludwig Koehler and Walter B. Baumgartner, The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (trans. M.E.J. Richardson; 5 vols.; Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1967-95). Concordance *Even-Shoshan, E., A New Concordance of the Old Testament Using the Hebrew and Aramaic Text (2 nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989). The best concordance for the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. Hatch, Edwin and Redpath, Henry. A., A Concordance to the Septuagint (3 vols.; Grand Rapid: Baker, 1987). Grammar and Syntax Arnold, Bill T., and John H. Choi, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2003). Cowley, A.E., and E. Kautzsch (eds.), Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (2nd ed.; Oxford: Oxford University, 1910). Traditionally the best of the reference grammars. *Jouon, Paul and T. Muraoka, A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew (2 vols.; rev. ed; Subsidia Biblica, 14/1-2; Pontifical Biblical Institute Press, 2006). Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. 2 nd ed. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1995. O Connor, M and Bruce K. Waltke, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns, 1990). Other Books Chisholm, Robert B. Jr., From Exegesis to Exposition (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998). --------, A Workbook for Intermediate Hebrew (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006). Klein, Ralph W., Textual Criticism of the Old Testament: From the Septuagint to 6
Qumran (Guides to Biblical Scholarship: Old Testament Guides; Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1974). McCarter, P. Kyle, Textual Criticism: Recovering the Text of the Hebrew Bible (Guides to Biblical Scholarship: Old Testament Guides; Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986). Stuart, Douglas, Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors (3 rd ed.; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001). Tov, Emanuel, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992). Van Pelt, Miles V., and Gary D. Pratico, Graded Reader of Biblical Hebrew (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006). http://www.denverseminary.edu/article/annotated-old-testament-bibliography-2007 7