WESTERN SEMINARY

Portland, Oregon

OTS 508 Introducing the Foundation for Hebrew Exegesis

Fall Semester 2004

Jan Verbruggen, Instructor

(503 517-1871; e-mail: jverbruggen@westernseminary.edu;) 

 

Syllabus

Course Description

In this class, you will acquire a good foundation of Biblical Hebrew.  You will learn the basic grammar up to the strong verb (and actually starting the weak verb a little bit).You will be introduced to the fundamentals of basic Hebrew Syntax.  You will further sharpen your Hebrew skills by doing exercises, by reading portions of the book of Ruth, by learning basic vocabulary, and by the use of appropriate Hebrew language tools. 

Text books

Required
  • Jan Verbruggen, Workbook for Beginning Hebrew, 2004 edition with answer key
  • Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
  • Brown, Driver, Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon.

Highly Recommended

  • Bibleworks 6.0 It has a vocabulary program to drill you on your vocabulary.
Optional
  • Box of Hebrew Vocabulary Cards by Vis-Ed.

Great computer tools:

  • Hebrew Tutor (available in the bookstore)

Course Objectives

·        Global Objective: At the end of the semester the student should be able to read and understand, with the aid of a lexicon, selected portions of standard Biblical Hebrew prose, have a good grasp of the strong verb paradigm and be knowledgeable about the different Hebrew Verb formations (binyanim).

·        Learning Objectives

·        The student will acquire a basic reading fluency in Hebrew 

·        The student will learn basic Hebrew vocabulary

·        The student will learn the Hebrew grammatical system up to the strong verb and a few weak verbs

·        The student will become acquainted with Hebrew through the translation of texts, which are provided in the exercises. 

·        Attitudinal:

·        Maintain an attitude of humble submission to the text of Scripture

·        Come to realize how much more the knowledge of Hebrew will open God’s word to you

·        Convince yourself from the beginning: I can do this (thousands have done so before you, and they were not all smarter than you). 

·        Cultivate a humble spirit in relation to those who have not been privileged to study Biblical Hebrew

Course Requirements

  • It is crucial for the students to attend all classes. 
  • The students must complete the exercises assigned in class.  The students are expected to have these assignments done before the class starts.  Every class session will have a quiz on all the vocabulary covered up that point in the semester and the grammar from previous class session. 
  • To practice the reading skills, we will read aloud in class and the students will read a verse in Hebrew out loud every day.  Even though in the beginning the students will not understand what they are reading, it will help the students get acquainted with the language (5 hours).  The students are required to keep track of their progress.  (A sheet is provided at the end of this syllabus where the student can record his/her progress) At the final exam, the students will be asked to write in percentages how much of this reading that they have done.  (For a total of a 100 days (really 101 but you are allowed to miss one day.))
  • The students will learn the vocabulary, which is provided in the list at the end of every lesson (from lesson 2) in the workbook.  Every week there will be quizzes that will mainly deal with the vocabulary (but not exclusively).  The vocabulary is cumulative.  (20 hours)
  • The students will memorize the paradigm of the strong verb.  They will study the weak verb (beginning in this semester and continuing in the spring semester) and know how it deviates from the strong verb.  The students will be able to parse all the verbs.  (20 hours)
  • The students will come prepared to class by reviewing and learning the grammar from the previous lesson, and by completing the appropriate exercises assigned in class.(25 hours )
  • The students will receive two exams (a mid-term exam and a final exam) and a test that will prove they have acquired the Hebrew writing system adequately.  The mid-term exam will deal with all the grammar and vocabulary learned up to that point.  The final exam will deal with all the vocabulary covered during the semester, and the grammar presented since the mid-term.  The final exam will deal with vocabulary, the strong verb and other points of grammar, translation of some passages. (20 hours)

Course Procedures

The instructor will work through the workbook.  Active participation and attendance in class is expected and will make part of the grade.  A different presentation might be given in class with the help of computers. Do not allow yourself to get behind.  If you are behind, work twice as hard to get back on track as quickly as possible. 

Grading Scale

Quizzes

25 %

Homework /exercises/participation in class

20 %

First Midterm

20 %

Reading Hebrew

5 %

Final Exam

30 %

 

A+

A

A-  

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

99-100  

95-98%  

94-93%

92-91%

90-88%

87-86%

85-84%

83-81% 

80-79%

78-77% 

76-74% 

73-70%

To receive audit credit, you must attend at least 80% of the class sessions and report that fact to the instructor by the day of the final.  Late exercises will not be accepted.  Make up quizzes and/or exams only because of real illnesses.  All late exams must be taken within a week of the scheduled exam date.  

Course Schedule (approximate)

Date

Topic

September 13

Syllabus + Chapter 1 (alphabet) + exercises Chapter 2 + Vocabulary

September 20

alphabet quiz Chapters 2 + 3+Vocab

September 27

Chapters 4 + 5 +Vocab

October 4

Chapter 6 exercises+Vocab

October 11

Chapters 7-8+Vocab

October 18

Chapters 9-10+Vocab

October 25

Chapters 11-12+Vocab

November 1

Midterm + Chapter 13+Vocab

November 8

Chapters 14-15+Vocab

November 15

Chapters 16-17+Vocab

November 22

Chapters 18-19+Vocab

November 29

Chapters 20-21+Vocab

December 6

Chapters 22-23+Vocab

December 11

Review + Final exam

 

Name:…………………………….

 

Calendar Mark up Sheet for Hebrew Reading

Mark only those days where you have done the reading on time

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October

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