Hebrew Exegesis OT506 Spring 2011 Richard (Dick) P. Belcher, Jr. [email protected] I. Course Description This course introduces basic tools for interpreting the Old Testament. Attention is given to a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew and to principles of interpretation as they inform effective preaching and teaching of the Old Testament. II. Course Goals A. To increase the student's grasp of basic vocabulary. B. To strengthen the student's competence in translation. C. To equip the student to handle the issues of Hebrew syntax. D. To be able to use the textual apparatus of BHS in analyzing textual variants. E. To develop a method for using Hebrew in exegesis and sermon preparation. II. Textbooks A. Students may already have the following books, which are required: 1) A Hebrew Bible: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Hebrew text only) or Biblia Sacra (Hebrew and NT Greek) 2) Hebrew Vocabulary Cards (Dillard) 3) E. R. Brotzman, Old Testament Textual Criticism 4) W. L. Holladay, A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament B. Other Required Books: 1) Bill T. Arnold and John H. Choi, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax 2) Scott M. Gibson, ed., Preaching the Old Testament (POT) 3) Tremper Longman III, How To Read the Psalms, chapters 6-8 on Hebrew poetry 4) Steven D. Mathewson, The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative (APOTN) Appendix A; this text may be used in an Oliver preaching class 5) William R. Scott, A Simplified Guide to BHS (SG) 6) The Trinity Psalter, Crown and Covenant Publications, 1994: purchased through the RTS Charlotte bookstore C. Other Resources 1) Christianity Today articles on translation are made available to the students. 2) Recommended: Todd J. Murphy, Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003): this book defines terms a studentHebrew Exegesis Syllabus 2 will come across in the study of languages and is not only useful while in seminary but also for the future. 3. Recommended for students without a computer program (Bible Works, Logos, Gramcord/Accordance): a) Tod S. Beale, Old Testament Parsing Guide b) Benjamin Davidson, The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon c) Wigram, The New Englishman's Hebrew Concordance, or it may be titled The Englishman's Hebrew Concordance of OT III. Basic Course Structure A. Quizzes: the quizzes will be given outside of class. Pick up the quiz from the receptionist and take it in the library. The quizzes will cover vocabulary, translation, parsing, and possibly questions related to syntax. Twelve quizzes will be given; the lowest quiz grade will be dropped. The first time you miss a quiz, for whatever reason, will be your dropped quiz. B. Translation: a portion of Hebrew text will be assigned for each class with a Worksheet on the passage that needs to be completed. You should translate the passage, parse all the verbs, and complete the Worsksheet. You do not need to hand in your translation, parsing, or the Worksheets, but there will be a question on the quiz concerning whether you completed the Worksheet. C. An Exegesis Paper is required. It should be based on a Hebrew text of at least 8 verses (see the handout on "Basic Format of the Exegesis Paper"). D. A homiletical outline on an assigned text from Ruth is required. In addition to the outline, your exegetical work on the passage should also be handed in (see the handout "Assignment for Homiletical Outlines"). E. A word study is also required. The student can do the word study laid out in the assignment (see "Doing a Word Study Assignment"), or a word study can be done in connection with the Exegesis Paper. F. Classroom participation is important and can be a factor in your final grade. If you are regularly late, miss class, or are not well-prepared for class, it can affect your final grade. Such participation includes coming to class, reading the Hebrew text from BHS, translating the text, parsing the verbs, and answering questions in the Worksheets. You must bring your Hebrew Bible to class. G. Although students may use BibleWorks (or an equivalent) to prepare homework, BibleWorks is not to be used when going over homework in class. Thus each studentHebrew Exegesis Syllabus 3 should bring the results of their homework on a separate sheet of paper (parsing of verbs, translation of the verse, and any other questions on the Worksheet). V. Grading 30% Quizzes 25% Exegesis Paper 20% Final Exam 10% Homiletical Outline 10% Word Study 05% ReadingHebrew Exegesis Syllabus 4 Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Course: Hebrew Exegesis (OT 506) Professor: Richard P Belcher Campus: Charlotte Date: March 2009 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. Rubric  Strong  Moderate  Minimal  None Mini-Justification 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. None Scripture 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.) Strong students are able to exegete Scripture at the level of the original language, to do research at that level, and to formulate original meaning and modern meaning Reformed Theology Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. None Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student’s sanctification. Minimal open each class with devotion and singing of a psalm Desire for Worldview Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. None Winsomely Reformed Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an