MODULE D ESCRIPTOR Sections 1 – 7 are key module details which once validated cannot be changed without re-validation 1. Module Title: Hebrew Texts & Prophets 2. Credits CATS ECTS

Level 5

Status

V

20 10

3. Programme: BA in Theology 4. Pre-requisites Co-requisites 5.

Subject Area: Old Testament

Type

Module Code

FBS52

Taught

Hebrew Language & Exegesis None

Learning Outcomes for the module.

By the conclusion of this module, a student will be expected to be able to demonstrate: (a) The ability to translate seen and unseen biblical Hebrew texts with grammatical comment. (b) The ability to engage in informed exegesis of the Hebrew prophets in a way that can be applied in concrete and abstract pastoral contexts. (c) The ability to evaluate competing ideological stances and how they affect the work of translators and commentators. (d) The ability to analyze, think and write creatively, listen sympathetically and respond in an informed manner.

6. Catalogue Summary This module provides students with more advanced tools for doing biblical Hebrew translation and exegesis. The module also covers the study of the phenomenon of classical prophecy in the Hebrew Bible, its historical and cultural context and exegesis of selected passages. Social justice issues will be particularly focused upon, examining their relevance to today’s readers. The aims of the module are: To develop the ability to translate selected seen and unseen biblical Hebrew texts To develop knowledge of the nature, background and contents of the Hebrew prophets To develop the ability to understand prophetic motifs such as social justice in their original biblical context and appreciate their relevance for contemporary readers

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7. Assessment Pattern

Weight %

Pass Req

Comments

Written language exam Written Prophets exam

50% 50%

Agg Agg

1.5-hour final exam 1.5-hour final exam

The language exam will assess LO b and c. The Prophets exam will assess LO a and d.

Assessment deadlines are published in the Programme Handbook and website

8. Indicative Tutorial Team Dr Aulikki Nahkola Dr Laurence Turner

9. Indicative Learning and Teaching Activities HESA Category Activity Type Scheduled Lecture Seminar Tutorial Practical classes and workshops Supervised time in studio/workshop Fieldwork External visits Work-based learning Project supervision Demonstration Sub-Total Placement Placement Year abroad Sub-Total Independent Guided independent study Total Hours 10 credits x 20 notional hours = 200 hours

Hours 52 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 0 0 0 136 200

10. Sample Assignments Essay: Students focus on a particular topic of interest. Sample topics might include: ‘The purpose of the book of Jonah’ and ‘An analysis of social justice as the defining theme of the eighth century prophets.’ Written final Examination: The exam focuses on the student’s ability to translate seen and unseen Hebrew sentences/texts and analyse grammar. Sample questions might include: 1. Provide the NIPHAL diagnostics for a) Perfect

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b) Imperfect c) Imperative d) Infinitive Construct 2

e) Infinitive Absolute f) Participle 2. Translate into English the following passage, providing full translation, and parsing of the verbal forms highlighted in red. Use the translation/parsing sheets, providing all elements required.

yYˆwEl y∞EnV;b ‹MyˆnShO;kAh_lRa ;hGÎnV;tˆ¥y`Aw ~taøΩzAh hâ∂rwø;tAh_tRa hRvOm bâO;tVkˆ¥yÅw :l`Ea∂rVcˆy y™EnVqˆz_lD;k_lRa◊w h¡Dwh◊y tyâîrV;b NwëørSa_tRa My$IaVcâO…nAh 11. Indicative Outline Content The module utilises G.D. Pratico and M.V. Van Pelt, Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Grammar as a core text, and G.D. Pratico and M.V. Van Pelt, Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Workbook as core texts. By the end of the module students have typically covered the last nineteen chapters of Pratico. This includes the following topics: (a) Qal imperative, cohortative and jussive (b) Qal participle, infinitive absolute and construct (c) Derived conjugations: Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, Hophal and Hithpael , for strong and weak verbs (d) Introduction to BHS (e) Translation of a selection of narrative texts from the OT The module content focusing on the Prophets typically covers: (f) The phenomenon of prophecy in the OT and the ANE (g) Characteristics of classical prophecy (h) Social justice in eighth century prophets (i) Individual prophetic books, e.g., Amos, Jonah and Jeremiah, there historical context, message and literary structure and genres

12. Indicative Reading Auld, A.G., Amos, OT Guides (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995) Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2007) Dines, J., ‘Amos’, in J. Barton and J. Muddiman (eds), The Oxford Bible Commentary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001) Koehler, L., and W. Baumgartner, The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 2 vols (Leiden: Brill, 2001) Mills, M., Alterity: Pain and Suffering in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel (NY: T&T Clark, 2007) Nissinen, M., Prophecy in Its Ancient Near Eastern Context: Mesopotamian, Biblical, and Arabian 3

Perspectives (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2000) Pratico, G.D., and M.V. Van Pelt, Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Grammar (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2nd edn, 2007) ________, Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Workbook (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001) Sawyer, J.F.A, Prophecy and the Biblical Prophets (Oxford: Oxford University Press, rev. edn, 1993) Sherwood, Y., A Biblical Text and its Afterlife (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000)

13. Complaints and appeals policy Complaints and appeals policies may be found at http://www.newbold.ac.uk/students/29-about-us/128policies.html.

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