Content

This unit is a continuation course building on the skills learned in the unit AL8011W Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, although it will also cover exegetical issues. Students will extend their understanding of Hebrew grammar and vocabulary, while reading through the book of Ruth in Hebrew. As students are reading Ruth, they will be guided through issues of translation, interpretation, and exegesis.

Unit code: AL8010W

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Languages

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Explain elements of Hebrew grammar, syntax and vocabulary

2.

Translate and exegete selected passages from the book of Ruth

3.

Work from the Hebrew text by utilising aids for translation and exegesis including: lexicons, concordances, parsing guides and commentaries

4.

Evaluate exegetical methods for studying the book of Ruth including: textual criticism, historical dating, source criticism, and, particularly, literary criticism

5.

Outline elements of the theology of the book of Ruth

6.

Analyse the distinctive content of the book of Ruth when considered in the wider context of the Hebrew Bible.

Unit sequence

AL8011W Biblical Hebrew or equivalent

Pedagogy

Classroom based lectures, tutorials, exercises

Indicative Bibliography

  • Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic Books, 1981.
  • Beattie, Derek R. G. Jewish Exegesis of the Book of Ruth. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1977.
  • Brotzman, Ellis R. Old Testament Textual Criticism. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.
  • Brown, Francis, S, R, Driver and Charles A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1906.
  • Bush, Frederic W. Ruth/Esther. Dallas: Word, 1996.
  • Campbell, Edward F. Ruth. Garden City: Doubleday, 1975.
  • Clines, David J. A. (ed.). The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew. (2 vols) Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993, 1995.
  • Holladay, William L. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Leiden: E J Brill, 1971; Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1972.
  • Hubbard, Robert L Jr. The Book of Ruth. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1988.
  • LaCocque, Andre. The feminine unconventional. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.
  • Sakenfeld, Katherine D. Ruth. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999.
  • Sasson, Jack M. Ruth: A new translation with a philological commentary and a formalist - folklorist interpretation. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1979. Seow, C. L. *A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. edn. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Short Answer Tests

Weekly tests – equivalent to 2000 words

2000 30.0
Exegesis

One exegetical paper- 2,500 words

2500 30.0
Written Examination

One two hour examination

2000 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 20 Oct, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-20 11:38:40 +1100