BLA 323/725: Hebrew Exegesis

(Life of David)

Spring Semester, 2008

Tuesday, 6:30-9:10 P.M.

CincinnatiChristianUniversity

3 Credit Hours

Instructor: Dr. Douglas Redford

CCU Phone: 244-8178

E-mail:

Home Phone: 513-648-0793

Office: Presidents' Hall (second floor)

1. DESCRIPTION (from catalog): A study of selected Old Testament texts [in this case, from 1 and 2 Samuel and Psalms]. Emphasis is placed on the dynamic of translation in the interpretive process.

2. GOALS

This course will seek to help the student do the following:

1) Become familiar with the steps involved in the exegesis of Hebrew texts and how to carry them out with competence.

2) Improve the student's grasp of the principles of Hebrew grammar and syntax.

3) Identify important Hebrew forms, particularly those that are part of the verbal system.

3. TEXTBOOKS

Required:

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.

Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. From Exegesis to Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

Holladay, William. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972. (Brown, Driver, and Briggs' lexicon is acceptable).

Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 3rd edition; Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 2001.

As far as grammars are concerned, I will often cite Page H. Kelley’s Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar (Eerdmans, 1992); however, various grammars are available on the Hebrew resource table in the school library.

Recommended (these should be available on the Hebrew resource table in the library):

Arnold, Bill T. 1 and 2 Samuel (from The NIV Application Commentary series). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Brueggemann, Walter. First and Second Samuel (from the Interpretation series). Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990.

Tsumura, David Toshio. The First Book of Samuel (from The New International Commentary on the Old Testament series). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007. (The commentary on 2 Samuel in this series has not yet been published.)

4. LESSON PLANS AND PROCEDURES

Attendance and Attitude. In a "block class" such as this one, it is imperative that each class member be committed to both regular attendance and to good study habits outside of class. Also, it is obvious that, since this is a three-hour class that meets one day per week, any missed sessions take on additional significance. Anyone who misses a total of three class sessions will have to be dropped from the course. (The College attendance policy states: “A student who misses more than 2 sessions of an evening or ‘block class’ would fail the class due to absences. It does not matter how many hours the class is for. Only 2 absences are allowed. The third absence will result in the grade of FA.”)

Weekly Homework. There will be weekly translation assignments given from the Biblical record of the life of David (see course agenda). These sections are not especially lengthy, and it is hoped that we can cover the assigned material each week. (Most of the material will be taken from the narrative texts in 1 and 2 Samuel.) Each student will be expected to keep up with the assignments and prepare to participate in the discussion of the Hebrew text and any important issues that are raised. Each student should be prepared to translate a passage when called upon and answer questions about the translation, particularly concerning the parsing of verbal forms. NOTE: I realize that information about verb parsing can be found in certain helps. I encourage you not to use these helps; learn to do the necessary “detective” work to determine a given verb’s identification.

Supplementary Reading. Each student should read Chisholm’s From Exegesis to Exposition. The student should submit a 5-6 page (typed, double-spaced) analysis/critique of this book, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, and value in the study and practical use of Biblical Hebrew. This paper is due on Tuesday, February 19.

Each student should also read Stuart’s Old Testament Exegesis. The student should submit a 5-6 page paper (typed, double-spaced) analysis/critique of this book, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, and value in carrying out the task of Biblical exegesis In addition, compare and contrast Stuart’s work (approach, writing style, strengths, weaknesses, value, etc.) with Chisholm’s. This paper is due on Tuesday, March 25.

Exegetical Paper. The student is to prepare an exegetical paper covering 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and Psalm 51 (written by David some time after the events recorded in 2 Samuel 11 and 12). The paper should include the student’s translation of these texts, including a parsing of all verbs in the text (though frequently used forms such as those of ‘amar would not need to be parsed). Mainly your paper should consist of the following sections: 1) translation of the text; 2) literary and historical background; 3) grammatical and lexical data (unusual grammar/syntax; key terms or terms that could be examined through a word study); 4) Biblical and theological context; and 5) application. With application, the student should prepare an outline of these passages (one for 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and one for Psalm 51) for teaching purposes, incorporating some of the insights gained through a study of the original text. Also, try to incorporate some of the suggestions offered by Chisholm and Stuart.

It is hard to know exactly what to suggest as far as the length of this paper, but with everything involved it should probably be around 25-30 pages in length. The due date is Tuesday, April 29. I realize this may seem to be a rather hefty assignment, but consider some of the positives (see the next section).

Examinations. There will be no examinations in this class! (This is the first class I have taught where this has been the case.) Our primary focus throughout the semester will be on translating the Hebrew text each week and discussing exegetical matters with a view toward honing our skills in this area.

5. GRADING

Weekly attendance and preparation for class 25%

Critiques 25%

Exegetical paper50%

6. COURSE AGENDA

We will try to adhere to this, though there may be variations depending on our progress during the semester.

January 15

Introduction to course

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

January 22

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

January 29

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 18:1-10

February 5

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 18:11-20

February 12

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 18:21-30

February 19

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 24:1-11

Critique of Chisholm due

February 26

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 24:12-22

March 4

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 25:1-15

March 11—Spring Break (no class!)

March 18

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 25:16-31

March 25

Text Covered: 1 Samuel 25:32-44

Critique of Stuart due

April 1

Texts Covered: Psalm 8, 32

April 8

Text Covered: Psalm 32

April 15

Text Covered: 2 Samuel 9

April 22

(We will use this class session and the April 29 session to cover previously assigned material if needed. Other texts will be assigned if necessary.)

April 29