BLA 325/726: Hebrew Exegesis

(Elijah/Elisha narratives)

Spring Semester, 2011

Monday, 3:20-6:00 P.M.

CincinnatiChristian University

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 Kings]. 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).

Long, Jesse C., Jr. 1 and 2 Kings. The College Press NIV Commentary series. Joplin: College Press, 2002.

As far as grammars are concerned, I will cite various grammars during our study; note that various grammars are available on the Hebrew resource table in the school library.

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

Brueggemann, Walter. First and Second Kings (from the Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary series). Macon, GA: Smyth and Helwys, 1990.

Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis series; Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006.

Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 4th edition; Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000.

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 lives and ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha (see course agenda). These sections are not especially lengthy, and it is hoped that we can cover the assigned material each week. (The material will be taken from the narrative texts in 1 and 2 Kings.) 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 (though we probably will not cover this as thoroughly as we did in the “Advanced Hebrew” class). 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. In addition, read the section in Long’s commentary that covers the passage we are to study.

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 Monday, February 21.

Exegetical Paper. The student is to prepare two exegetical papers. One should cover 1 Kings 17:1-24 (which we will be doing in class). 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 (though don’t feel limited to these): 1) literary and historical background; 2) translation of the text; 3) grammatical and lexical data (unusual grammar/syntax; under this section include one word study on a key term in this narrative and how it is used elsewhere in the Old Testament); and 4) application. With application, the student should prepare a sentence outline of this passage for teaching purposes, incorporating some of the insights gained through a study of the original text. Try to incorporate suggestions from Chisholm’s book, From Exegesis to Exposition. The outline should be about 1-1 ½ pages long, single-spaced with double-spacing between main points and sub-points.

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 15-20 pages in length. The due date is Monday, March 21.

The second paper should cover 2 Kings 5:1-19a (Naaman’s leprosy, which we will not be doing in class). Follow the same guidelines as given for the firstpaper. This is due on Monday, May 2.

Examinations. There will be no examinations in this class! 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%

Critique 20%

Exegetical paper #120%

Exegetical paper #235%

6. COURSE AGENDA

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

January 24

Introduction to course

Text Covered: 1 Kings 16:34; 17:1-10

January 31

Text Covered: 1 Kings 17:11-24

February 7

Text Covered: 1 Kings 18:1-15

February 14

Text Covered: 1 Kings 18:16-30

February 21

Text Covered: 1 Kings 18:31-46

Critique of From Exegesis to Exposition due

February 28

Text Covered: 1 Kings 19:1-11

March 7—Spring Break (no class)

March 14

Text Covered: 1 Kings 19:12-21

March 21

Text Covered: 1 Kings 21:1-10

Exegetical paper #1 due

March 28

Text Covered: 1 Kings 21:11-24

April 4

Text Covered: 2 Kings 1:1-10

April 11

Text Covered: 2 Kings 1:11-17a

April 18

Text Covered: 2 Kings 2:19-25

April 25

Text Covered: 2 Kings 13:14-21

May 2

Exegetical paper #2 due