HEBR
221: Readings in OT Narrative - Exodus, Fall 2001. SYLLABUS.
RJDKnauth
Class time: T/Th 1:00-2:50 pm, D-302.
Office hours MWF 2:30-4:00 pm, D-320.
Telephone: (570) 321-4298 (xGAYT); home: (570) 326-3822 (h). Email: knauth@lycoming.edu
A critical reading of the Hebrew text of selected narrative portions of the Old Testament with special attention being given to exegetical questions. This semester, in conjunction with the REL337 seminar, we will be focusing on the book of Exodus. The purpose of this course will be to develop and practice your ability to read and understand biblical Hebrew narrative, as found in the book of Exodus. We will continue to develop a basic working vocabulary with a goal of mastering words occurring 50 times or more in the Hebrew Bible (section 4 in Mitchel). We will also discuss unusual points of grammar that come up in the readings, and become familiar with the standard research tools and references for biblical Hebrew language and grammar. Finally, as time permits, we will discuss larger issues of theology, historical background and scholarly criticism in relation to the book of Exodus with a standard exegetical approach. Exodus is an extremely rich book, with a wide variety of types of text and themes which were pivotal for the national identity of Israel. Starting with the book of Exodus, we can come to a much deeper understanding of the rest of the Old Testament. Any student with a minimum of 1 yr of Biblical Hebrew may register for this course (prerequisite HEBR 102 or equivalent).
This semester, Hebr 221 will be offered in conjunction with REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Exodus (meeting MWF 3:00-4:50 in D-302). This "Exegesis" seminar will be an in-depth study of the book of Exodus along with other related Biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts, employing a variety of academic methodologies which can then be applied to various other biblical texts. Hebr 221 students are welcome to attend and participate in sessions for REL 337W - Exodus, in which larger issues of exegesis, historical background, themes and methodology will be discussed during the first hour directly following the Hebrew reading session.
Indispensable
References (available in library, but worth purchasing):
Kittel, Biblical Hebrew (available with audio cassette and answer key)
Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, Gesenius, Kautzsch and Cowley (GKC)
(other Hebrew grammars
you may consult in my office: Jouon, Waltke, Williamson, Lambdin)
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB)
A Reader’s Hebrew-English Lexicon..., Armstrong, Busby and Carr (ABC)
NIV Interlinear Old Testament or Hendrickson’s Interlinear Bible
Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance
New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance (w/ "Strong"
numbers)
The Bible (any English version, complete)
Other
useful references (available in the library):
The Book of Exodus
Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture, Brevard Childs
Understanding the Old Testament, Bernhard Anderson
Who Wrote the Bible?, Richard Friedman (on reserve)
Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, Emanuel Tov (in my office)
The Anchor Bible Dictionary
Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible
These will point
the reader to further useful bibliography.
1)
Attendance and Participation, readings having been prepared: 10%
of final grade.
Each set of 3 absences and/or lack of preparedness lowers your final grade by
1%.
2) Reading logs should be prepared for the readings for each session. Logs will be spot-checked, discussed in class, and collected en mass at the conclusion of the course: 10% of final grade. They will be evaluated on a "good faith effort" basis.
3)
Weekly Vocabulary Quizzes (usually at the beginning of class on
Tuesdays).
Of 15 quizzes, the lowest 3 scores will be dropped from the average): 10% of
final grade.
4) Four Short Translation Tests (Thursdays): worth 5% each for a total 20% of final grade.
5) Five Short Research Assignments (due Thursdays in class): 10% of final grade.
6) Short Research Project incorporating substantive linguistic issues: 10% of final grade.
7) Final Exam (Translation): Take-home portion = 15%; In-class portion=15% (Total 30%).
Schedule of Classes:
Week
1: Introduction
Prepare
Exod 1:1-2:10. Read Sarna pp. 3-10, Childs I-II (pp. 1, 5-7).
Review Vocabulary
in Mitchel Section 1(A-D). Review major points of grammar for verbs.
Issues to think about:
Oppression, Remembering, Genesis Links, Abandonment, ANE Parallels.
T (Aug. 28)- Introduction.
Exodus as THE formative Israelite experience. Begin to read Exod 1.
Review "Reading Log;" introduce Grammars (GKC,
Waltke, Williamson); discuss "Word
Study."
Th (Aug. 30)- Prepare Exod 1:1-2:10 (w/ log), continue reading through birth
story of Moses.
Research Assignment 1: Do a "word-study" on zakar.
Week
2: The Call of Moses
Read Exod 2:11-7:7, Sarna pp.
11-37, Childs III-VI (pp. 28, 49-51, 92-3, 110-111).
Review Vocabulary 2A-E (>200). Review major points of grammar.
Issues: Characterization of Moses, Midianite Hypothesis, Sources
(duplicate calls?).
T (Sept. 4)- Prepare Exod
2:11-4:31. Quiz1 on Vocab (>500): Mitchel Section 1A-D.
Th (Sept. 6)- Prepare Exod 5:1-7:7.
Note significant parallels or other textual/linguistic clues to their
significance (e.g. in 2:11-14).
Week
3: Miraculous Plagues in Egypt: Natural Phenomena? Religious Polemic?
Bedtime Stories?
Read Exod 7:8-11:10, Sarna pp.
37-53, Childs VII (pp. 128-30).
Review Vocabulary 3A-G (>100). Review Exodus 1-7.
Issues: Autonomous Choice; Corporate Responsibility. Science vs.
Theology.
T (Sept. 11)- Prepare Exod
7:8-13, split up rest of plagues (3 each). Quiz2 on Vocab 2A-E.
Blood, Frogs
and Gnats: _______________ (Exod 7:14-8:15[E=19])
Flies,
Livestock and Boils: _______________ (Exod 8:17[E=20]-9:12)
Hail, Locusts
and Darkness: _______________ (Exod 9:13-10:29)
Th (Sept. 13)- Prepare Exod 11:1-10. Translation Test 1 on Exod. 1-11.
Week
4: The
Passover and Exodus
Read Exod 12:1-15:21, Sarna pp.
53-83, Childs VIII-X (pp. 182-4, 217-18, 242-3).
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4A.
Issues: Passover, consecration of first born. ANE imagery: battling Sea
Dragons. Exodus theme.
T (Sept. 18)- Prepare Exod
12:1-13:22 (Passover). Quiz3 on Vocab 3A-G.
Th (Sept. 20)- Prepare Exod 14:1-15:21 (Reed Sea crossing -
Sources).
Research Asst 3:
Look for corresponding linguistic or stylistic features distinctive to each.
Week
5: Wilderness Wanderings
Read Exod 15:22-18:27, Sarna pp.
83-102, Childs
XI-XV (pp. 266, 273-4, 305, 310-2, 320-1).
Compare Numbers 10:29-14:45, Numbers 16-17, 20, 25.
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4B.
Issues: Function of complaining stories, links with Numbers. Midianite
Hypothesis.
Sources P vs.
E - Jethro/Reuel, Sinai/Horeb. Moses, Aaron: rival priestly houses?
T (Sept. 25)- Prepare
Exod 15:22-17:16 (Complaining).
Th (Sept. 27)- Prepare Exod 18:1-27 (Jethro).
Discuss issues of textual criticism, introduce BHS
apparatus. In-class Exercise.
Week
6: Review and Test
Review Readings: Exod 12-18, Sarna
53-102 plus Excurses.
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4C.
T (Oct. 2)-
Catch up on readings. Review for Test (come with
questions!).
Quiz5 on Vocab
4B.
Th (Oct. 4)- Translation Test
2 on Exod 12-18.
Week
7: Sinai
Read Exod 19:1-25,
20:15-18[E=18-21],
24:1-18; Sarna pp. 102-107, 115, 150-155.
See Childs XVI, XIX (pp. 342-4, 498-9). Compare Exod 33:18-34:7,
Deut 5:4-5, 22-31.
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4D.
Issues:
Storm/Volcano
imagery. Who/what is God? Seeing God.
T (Oct. 9)- Prepare Exod
19:1-25, 20:15-18[E=18-21], 24:1-18. Quiz6 on Vocab 4C.
Th (Oct. 11)-
Research Asst 4: Note the apparent contradictions in the theophany
texts.
Are there any linguistic clues that would suggest distinct sources here?
Week
8: Ten Commandments
Read Exod 20:1-14[E=17], Sarna pp.
107-115, Childs XVII
(pp. 387-8).
Compare Deut 5:1-22, Lev 19, Exod 34:10-28.
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4E.
Issues: What is the
Law? Types and origins. Reflections on the nature of God.
T (Oct. 16)- Prepare Exod
20:1-14[E=17]. Quiz7 on 4D.
Th (Oct. 18)- The "Ten Words" - traditional unit, variant
versions. What do they tell us?
Research Asst 5:
Separate out and analyze the "Ten Commandments" as poetic verse.
Week
9: Covenant Code
Read Exod 20:19[E=22]-23:33, Sarna pp.
115-150, Childs XVIII (pp. 446-51).
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4F.
Issues: Historical
precedents: Hammurabi, etc.; continuity/distinctiveness. Hunger for
Justice.
T (Oct. 23)- Prepare Exod
20:19[E=22]-22:30[E=31]. Quiz8 on 4E.
Th (Oct. 25)-
Week
10: The Tabernacle
Read Exod 25:1-31:18, Sarna pp.
155-202, Childs XX
(pp. 523-9).
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4G.
Issues: Tabernacle as Symbol of a Holy God, Precursor of the Jerusalem
Temple.
T (Oct. 30)-
Prepare Exod 25:1-22, 26:1-37.
Th (Nov. 1)- Prepare Exod 27:1-21,
30:30-31:18.
Begin work on Research Project. Find a Topic (this will be the hardest
part)!
Week
11: The Golden Calf
Read Exod 32:1-33:23, Sarna pp.
202-215, Childs XXI-XXII (pp. 555-7, 583-4).
Compare Num 8:13-19, 1Kings 12, 1Kings 19.
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4H.
Issues: Idolatry or alternative throne iconography? Dedication of Levites. Presence of God.
T (Nov.
6)-
Th (Nov. 8)- Prepare Exod 33:1-23, 34:5-9.
Research Project Proposal Due!
Week
12: Covenant Renewal, Blessing
and Dedication
Read Exod 34:1-40:38, Sarna pp. 215-237, Childs
XXIII-XXIV (pp. 603-604).
Learn Mitchel Vocabulary 4I.
Issues:
New tablets of
covenant, covenant renewal. Blessing, Dedication.
T (Nov. 13)- Prepare Exod
34:1-35, 35:1-36:7, 40:34-38. Quiz11 on Vocab 4H.
Th (Nov. 15)- Translation Test 4 on Exod. 25-27, 31-35. Library
Research Session.
Week
13: Vocabulary Drill, Thanksgiving Break
Review Vocabulary 4A-I; Learn Vocabulary 4J.
T (Nov. 20)- Vocabulary
Drill on 4A-I. Quiz12 on 4I.
Th (Nov. 22)- *Thanksgiving, No Class.*
Week
14: Special Problems (i.e. for Research Papers). No prep.
Review Vocabulary 4A-J for special quiz; Learn
Vocabulary 4K.
T (Nov.
27) - Bring research problems or read excerpts from Exod 36-40 cold. Quiz13
on 4J.
Th (Nov. 29)
- Bring research problems or read from Exod 36-40 cold. Quiz14 on 4A-I
cum.
Research Projects Due Friday at Midnight!
Week
15: Major Themes, Review for
Exam.
Review Mitchel Section 4 Vocabulary (4A-K).
T (Dec.
4)- Discuss major themes of book, review for exam. Quiz15 on 4K.
Th (Dec. 6)- **Read random
passages from Exodus. Hand out Take-home exam.**
**"Reading Logs" should be prepared for each class session according to instructions in the syllabus saying "Prepare Exod __:__" (generally 3-4 pgs in BHS per session). In preparing the text, you may use any tools you like, including Grammars, Lexicons/Dictionaries, Childs' commentary, English versions, etc. When reading in class, plan to use only the plain Hebrew text from BHS, plus ABC, plus your reading log. Your reading log should include any points of grammar (e.g. verb analysis/parsing, suffixes, etc.) that were not immediately obvious to you, and a basic English definition for any Hebrew word that you looked up in the lexicon. Be prepared to discuss these in class. You need not include words already in ABC unless you felt it necessary to look them up in BDB as well in order to get a better sense of their meaning. You may also note any grammatical constructions which you find to be unusual or especially interesting. The majority of most class sessions will be spent reading the biblical text with the aid of these reading logs, and discussing the points of grammar that you found to be difficult and have therefore noted in your logs. Please note that the ideal reading log would (eventually) be largely empty because your familiarity with the vocabulary (not including that in ABC) and grammar would allow you to read the text competently with minimal outside aids. In this case your log would consist only of those forms which are especially unusual or interesting, as you will find noted in GKC and other reference Grammars. Please do not write reams and reams. Less is better. Do NOT write out your English translation of the verse. The Logs will be collected en mass at the end of the semester and will be counted for 10% of your final grade on a "good faith effort" basis.
**Research Assignments should not exceed 2 pages. They will be due Thursdays in class and will be discussed at that time.
**Research
Projects
will be due on Friday at midnight in the mailbox outside the instructor's office
door (D-320), and should not exceed 6 pages. Since any papers
delivered after 5:00 pm will not be received until the following Monday morning,
any papers found in the box on the Monday morning will be considered to be on
time. Please do not ask for
last-minute short extensions because of printing problems and the like. Just get your papers in the box by first thing Monday
morning. Any papers received after
that, unless there is a serious excuse such as a major illness (with a note from
the doctor), family emergency (with a note from parents), or other serious
problem, will be penalized at the discretion of the instructor.