MSt in Bible Interpretation (1 year, by examination and dissertation) 2013/2014 Aims This course is intended to give experience in reading a range of primary exegetical texts in Classical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Syriac, to develop research methodologies in the writing of a 15,000 word dissertation, and to provide a solid basis in the subject area for those intending to go on to do originalresearch. Requirements The standard requirement is a First Class or good Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification) and an adequate knowledge of Classical Hebrew or Aramaic or Syriac. Teaching for a second Semitic language from these three will be provided during the course. Evidence of proficiency in Greek or Latin will be expected if options in either of these languages are chosen. Content and Teaching 1. Core course (for Paper I): (compulsory) Lectures, seminars or a series of tutorials covering the principal sources for exegesis of Hebrew Bible and select topics will be given in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms (8 hours total). Topics covered may include ancient bible translation, Qumran, New Testament, Rabbinic hermeneutics, Greek and Latin patristics, early Syriac Commentary, and will be explored in the essays that will be set. Assessment: A single 3 hour examination on essay topics will be taken at the end of Trinity Term. 2. Core course (for Papers II III): For Papers 2 and 3, two options out of the following five must be taken. a) Hebrew biblical and exegetical texts b) Aramaic (Targum) texts c) Syriac biblical and exegetical texts d) Greek biblical and exegetical texts e) Latin biblical and exegetical texts If required, intensive elementary language teaching followed by textual study in a second Semitic language is available in the first term (2-3 hours per week). Set texts in the first Semitic language (and in Latin and Greek if desired) will studied in classes in all three terms. Most teaching will take place in small classes or tutorials, supplemented by recommended lectures and seimnars. Students will be expected to prepare the language exercises or texts in advance of each class. Since the language teaching will start with the basics of the grammar, classes may be shared with beginners in other appropriate courses (ClassicalHebrew, Syriac, Aramaic, at undergraduate or graduate level). The list of set texts will be finalised no later than the second meeting of the Faculty Board in Michaelmas Term (see below). Assessment: Two 3 hour examination papers on prescribed texts will be taken at the end of Trinity Term. The use of dictionaries will not be permitted during the examination. 3. A 15,000 word dissertation, the title of which is to be chosen in consultation with the supervisor, submitted not later than the second meeting of the Faculty Board in Hilary Term and approved by them. The last possible date for submission of the dissertation is noon on Friday of Fourth Week, Trinity Term. Every candidate will be examined viva voce unless she or he has been individually excused by the examiners. Lecturers Course convenor: Dr Alison Salvesen, University Research Lecturer in Jewish Bible Versions, teaches and researches Greek versions of the Bible, and also the Syriac Peshitta and Aramaic
Targum. Dr Joanna Weinberg, James Mew Reader in Rabbinics, has considerable expertise in Midrash and other Jewish exegesis from antiquity into the medieval period. Dr David Taylor, University Lecturer in Syriac and Aramaic, regularly teaches Syriac and Aramaic exegetical texts, and also has a strong background in New Testament textual criticism. Students are encouraged to attend seminars in relevant areas: there are regular series in Jewish Studies in the Greco-Roman Period, Syriac Studies, Byzantine Studies, Old Testament, and New Testament. Teaching for some options may not be available in every year. Applicants for admission will be advised of this. Library resources Students in Bible Interpretation at Oxford have access to the major holdings of the Bodleian and its associated central libraries; the collections of the Oriental Institute; the Sackler Library (Classics and Ancient Near East); the Theology Faculty Library; the Griffith Institute; the Muller Library at Yarnton Manor (especially the Louis Jacobs Collection, a very recent acquisition in the field of Rabbinics). A limited amount of grant money for trips abroad (e.g. for supplementary language study during vacations) may be sought from the Unit for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. Examples of texts set in previous years: Hebrew: Genesis 1-11; 12, 14, 20, 22 (Masoretic Text) Isaiah 6.1-9.6 (Masoretic Text) Habukkuk 2-3 (Masoretic Text) Pesher Habukkuk cols. iii-xiii 4Q225 (Pseudo-Jubilees), col. ii, frags. 1-2 (DJD XIII) Qumran Hebrew Tobit fragment (DJD XIX: 4Q200 = 4QTobit e ) Midrash Bereshit Rabbah 8:3 (ed. Theodor and Albeck) Pesiqta d R. Kahana 9:4 (ed. Mandelbaum) Mekhilta d Rabbi Ishmael, beshalah 7 (ed. Lauterbach, vol. I, pp. 252-255). Mekhilta d Rabbi Ishmael, bahodesh 8 (ed. Lauterbach, vol. II, pp.257-260). Sifre Deuteronomy 49 (ed. Finkelstein, pp. 114-5). Vayiqra Rabba 29, 1-4 (ed. Margolioth, vol. 3). Aramaic: Targums to Genesis 18 19 (Onkelos, Neofiti, Pseudo-Jonathan), eds. Sperber and Diez Macho Targums to Genesis 22 (Onkelos, Neofiti, Pseudo-Jonathan) Targums to Exodus chapters 1-2 (Onkelos, Neofiti, Pseudo-Jonathan) Targum Jonathan to Ezekiel 16, ed Sperber Targum Jonathan to Amos 1 9, ed. Sperber Targum Jonathan to Isaiah 6 9, 60 66, ed. Sperber Aramaic of Daniel chs. 2-7 (Masoretic Text) Qumran Aramaic Tobit fragments (DJD XIX: 4Q 196, 197 = 4QTobit a, b ) Genesis Apocryphon, col. XX-XXII (2 nd edn., ed. Fitzmyer [2004]) Syriac: Peshitta of Daniel 2 7 Ephrem, Genesis Commentary Sections XV and XVI, ed. Tonneau Ephrem, Exodus Commentary, Sections I.1-III.2, IV.4-5.
Jacob of Serugh, 2nd Memra on Sodom, ed. Bedjan, pp. 88 96 Jacob of Serugh, 3rd Memra on Sodom, ed. Bedjan, pp. 97 116 Aphrahat, Demonstration XVIII on Virginity and Chastity, ed. Parisot Liber Graduum, Memra 15 on Adam s Marital Desire, ed. Kmosko Greek: LXX Isaiah 52-53 (Rahlfs edition) LXX Genesis 1-3 (Rahlfs edition) Theodoret of Cyrus, Commentary on Isaiah on Isaiah 52-53 (ed. Guinot, pp. 144-62). Theodoret of Cyrus, Questions on the Octateuch XX, XXX on Gen 1.26-28 and 2.21-24, (ed. Petruccione, pp. 48-56, 68). John Chrysostom, Homily 7 on Colossians (ed. Field, pp. 241-52). John Chrysostom, Homily 11 on Ephesians, (ed. Field, pp. 214-27). Didymus the Blind Commentary on Genesis, on Genesis 1.26-28 (ed. Doutreleau, Vol. I, pp. 54-64).