Advanced Biblical Hebrew (AL9609A)

Content

This unit focuses on phonology, morphology and syntax of the Classical Biblical Hebrew. Prose and poetic texts from different literary genres (narratives, laws, psalms, wisdom literature) will be studied with an aim of understanding their grammar. The development of Hebrew language will be addressed, through the comparative reading and translation of archaic Biblical poems, classical, and late Biblical texts. The students will be introduced to electronic and library tools that will help them to engage in textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

AL1600A or AL8600A

Pedagogy

Lectures, classroom discussion, guided reading from set texts, additional reading resources and notes

Indicative Bibliography

• Alonso Schökel, Luis. A Manual of Hebrew Poetics. Vol. 11. Subsidia Biblica. Rome: Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 1988.
• 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.
• Elliger, Karl and Wilhelm Rudolph (eds). Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. German Bible Society, 1997.
• Steinmann, Andrew E. and Andrew H. Bartelt. Fundamental Biblical Hebrew/Fundamental Biblical Aramaic. Concordia Publishing, (recommended for purchase)
• Steinmann, Andrew E. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing, 2010.
• Tov, Emanuel. Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2011.
• Waltke, Bruce K. and M. O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.
• Williams, Ronald J. (revised and expanded by John C. Beckman). Williams' Hebrew Syntax (3rd ed.). University of Toronto Press, 2007.

Assessment