Hebrew Exegesis: Acquiring Interpretive Skills OTS 510: 3 credit hours Western Seminary – Portland Campus

Jan Verbruggen, Ph.D. E-Mail: [email protected] Office Phone: (503) 517-1871

Syllabus – Fall 2013

COURSE SCHEDULE

Every Wednesday from 9:00-12:00pm.

The basic class pattern from the Department of Education is distributed between direct instructional time and homework time in a 1 to 2 ratio. Another way to say it is for every hour of instruction (seat time), there will be 2 hours of homework or individual learning activity time.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is the crowning achievement of the Hebrew language sequence. In this class, you bring all your knowledge to bear on the text, to get to the meaning of the text. You will explore the varied literature and genres of Hebrew Scripture. Your understanding of Hebrew Syntax will be strengthened. Through a multi-layered interpretive system, the student will be able to bring out the original meaning of the text. You will produce exegetical sound and expositional attractive products, useful for theology, teaching, preaching, your own spiritual growth, spiritual renewal and reformation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Goal 1: Know the full process of exegesis pertinent to biblical Hebrew Method: going through several exegetical passages together, while demonstrating every step of the way Goal 2: Be able to apply this full exegetical method to the texts of various Old Testament genres with a view to preparing expository messages and lessons Method: students will develop exegetical studies from all the main genres found in the Hebrew Text. Goal 3: Be able to develop and deliver expository sermons and lessons from various biblical genres Method: The student will develop one of his exegetical studies into a sermon Method: The student will secure a preaching or teaching opportunity where the sermon/study will be presented to an audience. Goal 4: To review the essentials of the grammar of Biblical Hebrew Method: spend some time each week reviewing the grammar, by working through different passages Method: parse all verbs and identify all non-verb forms in the text Method: review the paradigms of the strong and weak verbs Goal 5: To review the rudiments of Hebrew syntax Method: note the syntactical structure of the text Method: read relevant sections on syntax in Hebrew grammars Goal 6: To acquire a greater appreciation of the stylistic artistry of the text Method: pay attention to the finer points of grammar and syntax Method: consult advanced grammars and syntax manuals (WOC) Method: pay attention to the instructor’s references to the numerous finer points of grammar and syntax. Method: recognize the rhetorical and expressive value of structure and the utility of structural analysis in the interpretive process Method: prepare syntactical analyses of the assigned passages Goal 7: To develop a working knowledge of the text critical method Method: utilize the critical apparatus of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia for the identification and analysis of text critical problems Method: learn to use the standard rules for text critical evaluation as spelled out in standard textual criticism handbooks Method: give careful attention to the kinds of text critical decisions made by the more recent English versions Goal 8: To cultivate sensitivity to the biblical text that will manifest itself in a responsible and accurate handling of the biblical text Method: conscientiously prepare the assigned texts Method: pay attention to all the translation techniques and exegetical procedures acquired during this course Method: prepare for class distribution a thoughtfully composed translation, offering not only philological and text critical comments but also an interpretative reading of the text Method: participate in class discussions Goal 9: To become aware of the available research tools Method: use the instruments mentioned by the instructor in class Method: locate various research tools in our library Goal 10: To develop an appreciation for biblical Hebrew as an indispensable tool for gaining an accurate and divinely intended understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures Method: pay particular attention to those homiletical and practical insights given in Robert Chisholm’s From Exegesis to Exposition Method: prayerfully ask our sovereign Lord who purposefully chose Hebrew as a medium for communicating and preserving His effective and authoritative Word, to help you as you continue in your study of this language, and to give you discernment of its place and value in the ministry to which God has called you TEXTBOOKS

List all required textbooks including at least the following: author, title, publication date, edition (if relevant), ISBN, and list price. (Note: ISBN and price are required by federal. Do not omit this information).

Required Either  Bibleworks 9.0 retail price $ 349.00  R.B. Chisholm, From Exegesis to Exposition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998) (FETE), ISBN: 978-0801021718 Retail price: $ 28.00 (already purchased for OTS 509)  Todd J. Murphy, Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew, (Downers Grove: IVP, 2003), ISBN 978-0830814589 retail price $ 10.00 (already purchased for OTS 508)  Ellis R. Brotzman, Old Testament Textual Criticism, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), ISBN: 978-0801010651, retail price: $ 21.99.  Ronald J. Williams, Williams’ Hebrew Syntax, rev. by John C. Beckman, (Toronto: University of Toronto, 2007) (WHS), ISBN: 978-0802094292 retail: $ 27.95 Or  R.B. Chisholm, From Exegesis to Exposition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998) (FETE), ISBN: 978-0801021718 Retail price: $ 28.00 (already purchased for OTS 509)  Joüon – Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. 2 vols. (Rome: Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 2006) (JM), ISBN: 978-8876536298; retail price: $ 112.00  B.K. Waltke, and M. O’Connor, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1990) (WOC), ISBN: 978-0931464317 Retail: $ 59.50  Todd J. Murphy, Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew, (Downers Grove: IVP, 2003), ISBN 978-0830814589 retail price $ 10.00 (already purchased for OTS 508)  Ellis R. Brotzman, Old Testament Textual Criticism, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), ISBN: 978-0801010651, retail price: $ 21.99.  Ronald J. Williams, Williams’ Hebrew Syntax, rev. by John C. Beckman, (Toronto: University of Toronto, 2007) (WHS), ISBN: 978-0802094292 retail: $ 27.95

Recommended  Walter C. Kaiser, Toward an Exegetical Theology. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1981), ISBN: 978-0801021978 retail: $ 26.99  Walter C. Kaiser, The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), ISBN: 978-0310275862 retail: $ 34.99 You are encouraged to purchase these titles through the Amazon.com associate program; the link is found on the Western website under “Current Students/Portland”: http://www.westernseminary.edu/CurrentStudents/PDX/index.htm. ONLINE CLASSROOM

This class has an online classroom. Your first class assignment is to access this website during the first week of the semester and take a simple quiz confirming your participation in the course. You may also be asked to use the learning center to download handouts and submit assignments.

To access the site, go to http://www.westernseminary.edu/classrooms/. Click on ‘login’ (on the right above the calendar), use your student number for your username, and the password you received from the school. For a replacement password, click on ‘forgot your password’ or contact Jon Raibley: [email protected]. The on-line classroom will go live no later than the first Monday of the semester.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Online Orientation (15 min.)

Before the end of the first Friday of the semester, you need to log onto the web classroom, download the syllabus for the course, and complete the report indicating that you have read and understand the course requirements. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in classes for the full length of the semester. So failure to complete the online orientation on time may result in a grade penalty and may impact your financial aid eligibility.

Assigned Readings (8 hours)

The following pages have been selected for required course reading because they provide a rich and necessary supplement to what we will be doing in class. This reading is of fundamental importance to our exegetical study. Although no final exam is given for this class, it is of extreme importance that students read this material carefully and master it. Students will be expected to apply the information contained in these books on the exegetical studies, which they have to hand in. Chisholm, R.B. From Exegesis to Exposition, (Baker Books, 1998), pp. 13-28, 33-54, 187-278

Class translation and exegetical studies (100 hours)

For each class period, the student will prepare the appropriate section that is being dealt with in class. The instructor will first explain his method of exegesis. The student will then attempt his own exegesis of passages, following the teacher’s instruction. Deviating from the instruction or not doing the preparation will result in a lower grade. The student will also be asked to hand in 3 exegetical studies. The times for the studies are listed on the course schedule.

Sermon (10 hours)

The student is asked to develop an exegetical study into a full-fledged sermon. Directions will be given on how to do this. Sermon presentation (2 hours)

The student is asked to secure a preaching or teaching platform where the developed sermon can be presented. Have the pastor or an elder (preferably somebody with seminary training) evaluate your sermon. The stress here is on giving the student a teaching and preaching experience.

Class participation and interaction (44 hours)

Class participation (through the discussion of the prepared texts) is crucial in acquiring the exegetical skills. Every student is expected to come to class prepared to interact with the philological and interpretative dimensions of the text. Each student will be expected to make a significant contribution to the class discussion. The student will be expected to respond when called upon and to offer, as a result of personal study in the text, pertinent observations and proposals on the relevant questions in textual study. A grade will be assigned each time the student is called upon and a composite grade for the semester will be determined on the basis of the individual contributions over the course of the quarter.

Final Course Evaluation (15 min.)

Before the end of the last Friday of the semester, you will receive an email with a link to the final course evaluation. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in classes for the full length of the class. So failure to complete the final course evaluation on time will result in a grade penalty and may impact your financial aid eligibility.

GRADING

Required Assignments Points Estimated Time to Complete Online Orientation 1 ¼ Required Reading 5 8 Participation in class 23 44 Exegetical Papers (3x20) 60 60 Sermon+ Presentation 10 20 Final Course Evaluation 1 ¼ Total 100 135

A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- 99- 95- 93- 91- 88- 86- 84- 81- 79- 77- 74- 70- 100% 98% 94% 92% 90% 87% 85% 83% 80% 78% 76% 73%

COURSE SCHEDULE

(This schedule can change during the class session, depending on the pace of the class) Class Date Lecture/text1 Assignment / Reading 1 9/9 Introduction to the course -- explanation of course Read FETE: pp. 13-28, 31-54 procedures and expectations; Explanation of the method – Textual criticism

1 Text references are all according Hebrew versification. 2 9/16 Habakkuk: an example of an exegetical paper Read pp. 187-278 (FETE) How to deal with Law in a Christian Context? Read the text of Exodus 21:7-11 in Hebrew. First passage will be done completely by the instructor in class. Students should interact and read FETE Start your work on Jer. 31:31-34; This is your first exegetical product to be handed in; Textual Criticism; parsing; pick out words for word study 3 9/23 Working With Bibleworks Discussion of Syntax handout 4 9/30 First passage: Exodus 21:7-11 Exodus 21:7-11 Make sure you have read the text in Hebrew Semantics: Word studies before class; Word study; Grammar and syntax Commentary section of the passage; exegetical paragraph How to deal with Prophecy Textual Criticism; 5 10/7 Parsing; pick out words for word study; Does this text still have relevance for us? Jer. 31:31-34; Word study; Grammar and syntax of the passage; 6 10/14 Exegetical paragraph Hand in study of Jer 31:31-34/ Begin work on Isa 8:23-9:6 (Hebrew Numbering) 7 10/21 Jer. 31:31-34 Commentary section plus Syntactical outline Biblical theology How do we preach this? 8 10/28 Isa 8:23-9:6; Textual Criticism Look at the text in Isa 8:23-9:5 and pick at least two words you want to do a word study on 9 11/4 Isa 8:23-9:6 (cont.) Moving from text to sermon 10 11/11 Isa 8:23-9:6 (continued) Hand in Study of Isa 8:23-9:6 Poetic literature; Psalm 1; Poetry Start study on Amos 7:1-9 11 11/18 Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 Read the Hebrew text of the narrative (3x) Gen How to deal with narrative literature 11:1-9; Read the English text of the narrative 3x Reading the text 12 11/25 Asking questions of the text Pick out your word study words and do the Gen 11:1-9; grammar; syntax; word studies. Grammar syntax, exegetical Exegetical paragraphs paragraph; syntactical outline Syntactical outline; sermon 13 12/2 Some more exegetical examples: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Word study; Look at the text in Amos 7:1-9 and pick at least two words you want to do a word study on 14 12/9 Amos 7:1-9 Parsing; asking questions of the text; Hand in a copy of the ex. study Amos 7:1-9 reading the text; …. Moving from text to sermon; Amos 7:1-9

COURSE POLICIES

You may have additional course policies that you would like to include here (e.g., writing/format requirements), but please make sure that you include at least the following paragraphs:

Attendance and Late Assignments: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Students who miss class are responsible for missed work. Absences and tardiness may impact a student’s grade. Students who anticipate an absence should discuss it in advance with the instructor. Students who miss more than 20% of the seat time for the class will not pass the course, without a request for and the completion of additional assignments. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will result in a reduction of the student’s letter grade for that assignment.

Copyright Violation and Plagiarism: Research in secondary sources for the written project is permitted and welcomed. However, any appropriation of either ideas or wording taken from other sources, whether print or electronic, must be properly footnoted. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism which can result in substantial grade reduction or failure. Any unauthorized copying or use of copyrighted materials, including downloaded files of various kinds, can result in criminal charges and fines. For a fuller explanation of these issues or WS's copyright policy, see the Copyright Issues and Cheating" section of the Student Handbook: http://www.westernseminary.edu/Documents/handbooks/New%20Student%20Handbook %202011-12.pdf.

Incompletes/Extensions: The final deadline for submitting all course work is the last day of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar and in the class schedule. In the case of serious illness, family emergency, or similar extenuating circumstances, the student may request an extension. A 1-3 week extension is typical in all except the most extreme cases, and some penalty for late work may apply. Under no circumstances will the student be given more than 5 weeks to complete all required coursework except by petition and approval of the Administrative Committee. (Extensions longer than 5 weeks are rare and should only be requested under extreme circumstances.)

If students face a personal emergency that requires requesting an extension going beyond the end of the semester, it may affect their ability to receive financial aid in the next semester, and they may face the possibility that their next semester’s course registrations will be cancelled. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Audit/Enrichment Students: Enrichment students are encouraged, but not obligated, to participate in assignments and class discussions. Professors are not obligated to grade participation for these students, but may opt to do so depending on class size.

Statement on Wi-Fi Services: Our community at Western Seminary is defined by our membership in the body of Christ. As we share common resources, we wish to do so with respect and consideration for others. Our IT department has created a strong and secure wireless internet network at each of our campus locations to enhance the student learning environment. Some of the considerations in developing our Wi-Fi networks have included providing excellent security (better than you’ll find at the local coffeeshop) and doing so within a budget that does not significantly impact tuition costs. Keeping costs low means that we don’t have an endless supply of bandwidth. We ask that you use the Wi-Fi network for academic purposes and avoid downloading large files or streaming video. Please be mindful that your internet use (both in class and on campus) can distract others or prevent them from accessing resources they need for their studies. We appreciate your participation in promoting thoughtful, considerate internet use on campus.

The Availability of Disability Services at Western Seminary: Western Seminary is committed to responding to the needs of students with disabilities as outlined in both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Western students are assisted individually as their needs dictate. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to identify themselves and the nature of the disability. Any student who has a disability should contact the seminary’s Disability (Section 504) Coordinator, Ashley Mitchell, at 503-517-1819/1-877-517-1800, ext. 1819. Her office is at the Portland campus. Students at the northern California campuses may contact Director of Student Services – San Jose or Director of Student Services – Sacramento, or they may contact Ms Mitchell directly. Appropriate forms will be provided and must be submitted to the Disability Coordinator’s office.