Content

This unit builds on the knowledge of Biblical Hebrew acquired in the introductory unit (AL1600A/AL8600A). Through the study of prose and poetic texts from various literary genres (narratives, laws, psalms, wisdom literature), this unit focuses on phonology, morphology and syntax of Classical Biblical Hebrew. Students will also be introduced to electronic and library tools that will help them engage in textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible.

Unit code: AL9600A

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Languages

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Translate prose and poetic texts from Hebrew into English

2.

Utilise aids to understanding Biblical Hebrew such as lexicons, dictionaries, critical commentaries and software tools

3.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of Biblical Hebrew vocabulary, grammar and complex syntax

4.

Demonstrate the ability to fluently read aloud the script of Biblical Hebrew

5.

Apply knowledge of Hebrew to articulate the interpretation of a text through biblical exegesis

Unit sequence

Successful completion of AL1600A or AL8600A (Introduction to Biblical Hebrew) or equivalent

Pedagogy

Synchronous and asynchronous: pre-recorded lectures; live, interactive classroom discussion; guided reading; group work; regular quizzes.

Indicative Bibliography

• Andersen, Francis I. and A. Dean Forbes. Biblical Hebrew Grammar Visualized. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2012.

• Arnold, Bill T. and John H. Choi. A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. New York, N.Y.: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Bible software program: BibleWorks 10.

• Kelley, Page H. Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2nd Edition, 2018.

• Van Pelt, Miles. English Grammar to Ace Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.

• Pratico, Gary D. and Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.

• Steinmann, Andrew E. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing, 2010.

• Tov, Emanuel. Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2011.

• Vance, Donald R. An Introduction to Classical Hebrew. Boston: Brill, 2004.

• Van der Merwe, Christo H. J., Jacobus A. Naudé, and Jan H. Kroeze. A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar. 2nd ed. New York: Bloomsbury T. & T. Clark, 2017.

• Williams, Ronald J. (revised and expanded by John C. Beckman). Williams' Hebrew Syntax (3rd ed.). University of Toronto Press, 2007.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Learning Resource

10 Homework exercises (10 x 200 words)

2000 30.0
Oral Examination

Oral exam (1 hour = 1000 words)

1000 15.0
Exegesis

Written task of 3000 words

3000 40.0
Written Examination

Exam (1 hour = 1000 words)

1000 15.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 11 Sep, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-09-11 09:05:20 +1000