COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - OLD TESTAMENT AND SEMITIC LANGUAGES

OT 510 Hebrew Texts I

Textual analysis, translation of texts into English, a study of the theological contexts of texts, readings and exegesis from selected passages from the Pentateuch. Discussion will include textual criticism, historical background and exegetical methodology.

OT 520 Hebrew Texts II

Textual analysis, translation of texts into English, a study of the theological contexts of texts, readings and exegesis from selected passages from the Writings and the Prophets. Discussion will include textual criticism, historical background and exegetical methodology.

OT 530 Grammar & Syriac Inscriptions, Mishnah & Qumran Texts

The course will cover the translation of passages selected from the Hebrew Bible plus the pointing of unpointed texts (e.g. Ex. 1-15). Lessons in Syriac Inscriptions, Mishnah (Avoth/Tractate), and Manual of Discipline, (QS1).

OT 540 The History & Religion of Israel

The religious, political, cultural and historical examination of the history of Israel from the time of the Judges to the post-exilic period.

OT 550 Wisdom Literature

A study of the background to Hebrew Wisdom and the outlook of Wisdom Literature. The wisdom books in the Hebrew Canon that will be exhaustively studied include, Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Those to be treated in Apocrypha include Sirach. The influence of Wisdom as clearly seen in the Psalms and the New Testament especially in the parables of Jesus will also be briefly discussed.

OT 560 Prophecy in Early Israel

The origins and development of Israelite prophecy; scholarly attitudes to the prophetic phenomenon; a study of selected prophetic books.

OT 570 Theology of the Old Testament

A study of the various approaches for a theological study of the Old Testament. Themes to be studied will include the theology of creation; the concepts of the covenant, revelation, righteousness; theodicy in the Old Testament.