BH513 – Grammar of Biblical Hebrew Level 1-2
Instructor: Robin Van Riper
Location: https://mjti.populiweb.com
Dates: March 26–June 4, 2023; Spring Semester 2022–23
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BH513 is the third and final segment of MJTI’s comprehensive one-year graduate-level introduction to the grammar of biblical Hebrew. As students continue to build upon the skills taught in the earlier course segments (BH511 and BH512), they encounter narrative and infinitive verb forms and the remaining major verb stems. In this course segment students continue to apply their growing body of grammatical knowledge to the translation and interpretation of larger swathes of narrative and poetic texts of the Tanakh. By the end of this course, students will have acquired a broad-based ability to study and engage Hebrew texts of every book of the Tanakh on an introductory level and will be ready for intermediate coursework.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE CURRICULUM
This course is offered to equip students in the Rabbinic Studies and Jewish Studies programs to take required and elective Tanakh and Rabbinic Writings courses.
RELEVANCE
Biblical Hebrew is the language of the Hebrew Scriptures, and Hebrew grammar provides the building blocks and exegetical tools for investigating, understanding, and interpreting the Hebrew Scripture. A working knowledge of biblical Hebrew is an essential foundation for in-depth personal and vocational Tanakh study. Subtle shades of meaning lie within biblical texts that are best expressed and conveyed in their original language. Being well-versed in these texts transforms the learner and enables them to impart these insights to a world desperately in need of them. This course aids in achieving these goals.
PREREQUISITE
BH512 Grammar of Biblical Hebrew Level 1-2 or permission of instructor.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Students must have a computer, internet access, and the means to submit their work electronically to the instructor in PDF format. If scanning assignments with a phone, documents must be light, bright and illuminated without shadows.
COURSE FORMAT
The course is offered live via online video conference, meeting twice weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays. The Sunday session is two hours and thirty minutes in duration from 4:00-6:30 PM EST, and the Wednesday session is one hour and thirty minutes from 7:00–8:30 PM EST.
REQUIREMENTS
Study assigned materials prior to each session, participate actively in the live sessions, complete and submit weekly homework, and complete and submit quizzes and final exam by their due date.
REQUIRED TEXTS
- Brown, Francis, D.D., D. Litt., S.R. Driver and Charles A. Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1994.
- Green, Jennifer S., G. Brooke Lester and Joseph F. Scrivner. Handbook to A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, Revised Edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005.
- Seow, C.L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, Revised Edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Jacobson, Joshua R. Chanting the Hebrew Bible: The Complete Guide to the Art of Cantillation. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 2002.
- Koren Publishers Ltd (Author). Koren Jerusalem Tanakh (Hebrew and English): Koren Publishers Jerusalem, 2015.
- Waltke, Bruce K., O’Connor M. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax: Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1990.