OT 504: Poetics Job-Song of Songs
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OT 504: Poetics [Job-Song of Songs]
Fellowship Community Church Rev. Kyle Ferguson Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. (O) 540-562-0924 February 6-May 8 (C) 540-494-1247 Brite-VA.org [email protected]
Course Description
This course examines the literary structure, themes, and history of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, with an emphasis on understanding these texts in their own historical and literary context, how they fit into redemptive history, and what they mean for God’s people today.
Course Objectives
By the end of the class, the student should be able to
1. Identify the major themes and argument of each book covered.
2. Explain and delineate the various issues and problems related to the author and interpretation of each book covered.
3. Recognize the various forms and sub-forms of Hebrew poetry and why the authors chose such artful language.
4. Apply this knowledge to the exegesis and interpretation of passages from the wisdom literature.
5. Identify key passages from the wisdom literature by chapter and verse.
Required Texts
Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Poetry: Revised and Updated. New York: Basic Books, 2011.
Anderson, Bernard. Out of the Depths, Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001. Estes, Daniel. Handbook of the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book Publishing, 2005.
English Bible: ESV or NASB. Online versions are acceptable for classroom use.
Recommended Reading
Berlin, Adele. The Dynamics of Biblical Parallelism: Revised and Expanded. Bloomington, IN and Cambridge, UK: Indiana University Press and Eerdmann’s Publishing, 2008.
Clifford, Richard, ed. Wisdom Literature in Mesopotamia and Israel. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2007.
Clendenen, E. Ray, ed. New American Commentary, Vol. 11-14, Job, Psalms I, Psalm II, Proverbs-Song of Songs. Downers Grove, IL: IVPress, 1993.
Hubbard, Robert, ed. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmann’s.
Kidner, Derek. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes: An introduction to Wisdom Literature. Downers Grove, IL: IVPress, 1985.
Kovecses, Zoltan. Metaphor. Oxford Press, 2010.
Lamb, C David. God Speaks Once, Yea Twice. Xulon Press, 2017.
Longman III, Tremper. The Fear of the LORD is Wisdom. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book Publishing, 2017.
Noegel, Scott and Gary Rendsburg, Solomon’s Vineyard: Literary and Linguistic Studies in the Song of Songs. Atlanta, Society of Biblical Literature, 2009. [Note: Substantial Hebrew knowledge necessary to read this book.]
Peterson, David and Kent Richards. Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1992.
Robertson, O. Palmer. The Christ of Wisdom. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing, 2017. Assignments
1. Students must complete all required reading by May 8. Students will be asked to submit the reading report to the Instructor on the last day of class.
2. Students will take two exams. The first will on April 3 at the end of Psalms unit. The second will be at the end of the semester on May 8.
3. Students will submit two papers.
a. Paper 1: 3-5 Pages. Due Date: March 13. Student will select a passage and highlight the poetic elements of the passage, identifying poetic forms and sub-forms.
b. Paper 2: 15-20 Exegesis Paper. Due Date: May 8. Student will select a passage from the Biblical Wisdom Literature and write an exegesis paper discussing authorship and date, structure and form, theological interpretation, and application.
Class Calendar
February 6 Introduction, Poetry Defined.
February 13 Poetry and Wisdom Defined (Alter, 1-74; Job 1-2)
February 20 Wisdom/Wisdom Literature Defined (Alter, 75-104, Estes 11-36 Job 3-26)
February 27 Job and Wisdom (Estes 37-113, Job 27-37)
March 6 Job and Poetry (Alter, 105-138, Estes, 114-128, Job 38-42)
March 13 Psalms (Estes, 141-155; Anderson , Psalm 1-41) PAPER 1 DUE
March 20 Psalms (Estes, 156-199, Anderson , Psalm 42-89
March 27 Psalms (Anderson, Psalm 99-150)
April 3 Proverbs (Handout, Proverbs 1-18) EXAM 1
April 10 Proverbs (Estes, 213-261, Proverbs 19-31, Ruth 1-4)
April 17 Ecclesiastes (Estes, 271-334, Ecclesiastes 1-5)
April 24 Ecclesiastes (Estes, 335-384, Ecclesiastes 6-12) May 1 Song of Solomon (Estes, 393-438, Song of Solomon)
May 8 Wrap-up (Lamentations, Exodus 15, Isaiah 41-42, Jonah 2, Luke 1)
PAPER 2 DUE
EXAM 2
READING REPORT DUE