4OT508/1: Introduction to Hebrew Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta Fall 2012: Thursday Evening 6:00-9:00 PM Instructor: Office Hours: Rev. Young Choi E-mail: pastoryoungchoi@gmail.com By appointment The Introduction to Biblical Hebrew (BH) is designed to provide the basic structure of the language in preparation for the broader hermeneutical task of translating and interpreting the Hebrew Bible and other classical Hebrew texts (ex. Dead Sea Scrolls). TEXTBOOKS (Required) Pratico, Gary & Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Grammar. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007 Pratico, Gary & Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Workbook. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007 Pratico, Gary & Miles V. Van Pelt. Biblical Hebrew Survival Kit. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007 COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Review, Practice, Preview a. Review material covered. b. Workbook Assignments. Do not answer your assignments in the Workbook. Instead buy a separate notebook and write out all the queries and your answers. (1) Language acquisition requires much practice and repetition. Writing the queries with deliberate thought helps strengthen your understanding of the lesson (ex. Why is the workbook asking me to parse this word? What exception to the rule should I expect here?) (2) One you finished the assignment, do it backwards, using your answers as the queries. c. Memorize all the assigned vocabulary words and paradigms d. Complete any additional assignments from instructor. 2. Quizzes a. There will be 11 quizzes b. Quizzes will normally follow the pattern of: Vocabulary (English to Hebrew/ Hebrew to English), Parsing, & one grammatical question. c. Each quiz is worth 10 points and is equivalent to 50% of the course grade. Your lowest grade will be dropped.
3. Examinations a. Mid-term and Final. All exams are cumulative. b. Each exam is worth 50 points and is equivalent to 25% of the course grade. 4. Attendance a. Weekly attendance is required. Short of a medical emergency, quizzes or exams will not be rescheduled. b. Please notify the instructor prior to the scheduled class session if you qualify for a rescheduled quiz/exam. 5. Electronic Aids Computers and recording devices are not permitted for use in class. 6. Disclaimer The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus for the good of the course and its students. GRADING 1. Scale. The standard RTS grading scale will be used. A (97-100) C (80-82) A- (94-96) C- (78-79) B+ (91-93) D+ (75-77) B (88-90) D (72-74) B- (86-87) D- (70-71) C+ (83-85) F (< 70) 2. Basis for Computation. Midterm Examination 25% Final Examination 25% Quizzes 50% COURSE SCHEDULE August 23 Syllabus Review and Course Requirements Chapter 1: Introduction to the Hebrew Alphabet Workbook Assignment: Section 1 August 30 Quiz #1 Chapter 2: The Hebrew Vowels Workbook Assignment: Section 2 September 6 Quiz #2 Chapter 3: Syllabification and Pronunciation Workbook Assignment: Section 3 September 13 Quiz #3
Chapters 4 & 5: Hebrew Nouns/Definite Article and Conjunct. Waw Workbook Assignment: Section 4 & 5 September 20 Quiz #4 Chapters 6 & 7: Hebrew Prepositions/Hebrew Adjectives Workbook Assignment: Section 6 & 7 September 27 Quiz #5 Chapters 8 & 9: Hebrew Pronouns & Hebrew Pronom. Suffixes Workbook Assignment: Section 8 & 9 October 4 Quiz #6 Chapters 10 & 11: Hebrew Construct Chain/Hebrew Numbers Workbook Assignment: Section 10 & 11 Mid-Term Examination Review October 11 Mid-Term Examinations: Chapters 1-11 (2 hours) October 18 Quiz #7 Chapters 12 & 13: Intro to Hebrew Verbs/Qal Perfect (Strong) Workbook Assignments: Sections 12 & 13 October 25 Quiz #8 Chapters 14 & 15: Qal Perfect (Weak)/ Qal Imperfect (Strong) Workbook Assignments: Sections 14 & 15 November 1 Quiz #9 Chapter 16: Qal Imperfect (Weak) Workbook Assignments: Section 16 November 8 Quiz #10 Chapter 17: Waw Consecutive Workbook Assignments: Section 17 November 15 (no class) November 22 (no class) November 29 Quiz #11 Final Examination Review December 14 Due date for take-home FINAL EXAMINATION
Recommended Resources Basics of Biblical Hebrew Series Van Pelt, Miles V. and Gary D. Pratico. The Vocabulary Guide to Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. Van Pelt, Miles V. and Gary D. Pratico. Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary Cards. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004. Van Pelt, Miles V., and Gary D. Pratico. Basics of Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Audio. Read by Jonathan T. Pennington. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006. Pratico, Gary D. and Miles V. Van Pelt. Pratico. Zondervan Get an A! Study Guides: Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005. Van Pelt, Miles V. Biblical Hebrew: A Compact Guide. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. Bibles *Biblia Sacra. *Elliger K. & W. Rudolph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1980. (BHS) Lexicons *Brown, Francis, Samuel R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. The New Hebrew and English Lexicon. Reprinted. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1979. (BDB) Clines, David J.A., ed. The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew. 8 volumes. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993-. (DCH) *Holladay, W. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988 *Koehler L. & W. Baumgartner. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament: Volumes 1 & 2. Leiden: Brill, 2001. (HALOT) Introductory Grammars *Cook, John and Robert Holmstedt. Biblical Hebrew: An Illustrated Introduction. (forthcoming by Baker) *Cook, John and Robert Holmstedt. Biblical Hebrew: A Student Grammar. (available free at http://ancienthebrewgrammar.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-textbook/) Futato, Mark D. Beginning Biblical Hebrew. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2003. Kelley, Page H. Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar. Grand Rapids: Eedrmans,
1992. Lambdin, T.O. Introductory to Biblical Hebrew. New York: Chas. Scribner s Sons, 1971. Long, Gary A. Grammatical Concepts 101 for Biblical Hebrew. Peabody MA: Hendrickson, 2002. Seow, Choon-Leong. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Revised Edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995. Weingreen,J. A Practical Grammar For Classical Hebrew. Second Edition. Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 1959. Intermediate/Advanced Grammars Anrold, Bill T. & John H. Choi. A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Gesenius, Wilhelm and E. Kautzsch, eds. Gesenius Hebrew Grammar. Second Edition. Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 1910. Joüon, Paul & T. Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew (Subsidia Biblica 14, 2 volumes). Fourth Edition. Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute Press, 2003. Van der Merwe, Christo H.J., et al. A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999. Waltke, Bruce K. & M. O Connor. An Introduction to Hebrew Syntax. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 1990. Parsing Guides Beall, Todd S. & William A. Banks & Colins Smith, eds. Old Testament Parsing Guide. 2 volumes. Chicago: Moody Press, 1986. Owens, John Joseph. Analytical Key to the Old Testament. 4 volumes. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990-1993. Computer Software Accordance 9. Bible Software for Macintosh. Oaktree Software. www.accordancebible.com BibleWorks 8. Bible Software for Windows. BibleWorks, LLC. www.bibleworks.com Logos Bible Software 3. Bible Software for Windows. Logos Research Inc. www.logos.com
Extension Policy All assignments and exams are to be completed by the deadlines announced in this syllabus or in class. Extensions for assignments and exams due within the normal duration of the course must be approved beforehand by the Professor. Extensions of two weeks or less beyond the date of the last deadline for the course must be approved beforehand by the Professor. A grade penalty may be assessed. Extensions of greater than two weeks but not more than six weeks beyond the last deadline for the course may be granted in extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, family emergency). For an extension of more than two weeks the student must request an Extension Request Form from the Student Services Office. The request must be approved by the Professor and the Academic Dean. A grade penalty may be assessed. (RTS Catalog p. 42 and RTS Atlanta Student Handbook p. 14) Any incompletes not cleared six weeks after the last published due date for course work will be converted to a failing grade. Professors may have the failing grade changed to a passing grade by request. (RTS Catalog p. 42)
Course: Professor: Campus: Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes 04OT502/1 Rev. Young Choi Atlanta Date: Fall 2012 MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. Articulation (oral& written) Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Rubric Strong Moderate None Mini-Justification Will learn fundamentals of written communication through linguistical categories. Scripture Reformed Theology Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Moderate Learning Hebrew will help students access original Hebrew manuscripts. Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. Desire for Worldview Winsomely Reformed Preach Worship Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. None Hebrew language is the most important entry point to the OT worldview, helping students to understand worldview issues in general. Eventually! Goal is for students to rightfully handle the Word of God.
Shepherd Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. None None