OT033-712 - Principles and Practice of Old Testament Exegesis (Hebrew)
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2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
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12Credit Points
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0.125 EFT
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7AQF level
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Category developing unitB
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old testamentUnit Discipline
Prerequisites
LA004-612
Corequisites
96cps of study, including 36 cps at AQF level 6
Exclusions
Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code OT443. Unit exclusions: LA008-812
Set Text Hebrew
This unit counts towards the "set text" unit requirements of courses, and the original language set text requirement of the Master of Divinity.Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students willA. Know and understand
1. Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of the exegetical task for the Old Testament
B. Be able to
1. Critically Analyse the rationale and dimensions of the exegetical task for the Old Testament
2. Demonstrate Functional skill in Old Testament exegesis from the Hebrew text
3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on Old Testament exegesis
C. Be in a position to
1. Applying ‘Principles and Practice of Old Testament Exegesis’ in biblical interpretation for contemporary Christian living and ministry practice
Content
Section A: Introduction to a method for OT exegesis that includes the reading and close observation of an extended narrative passage
Choose an extended narrative section of four or five chapters of the Hebrew Bible (e.g. the Book of Ruth, a section from Genesis 12-50, a selection from 1 & 2 Samuel or similar passages) and read through the chapters in sections in class. During this process, introduce a method for exegesis of the Hebrew text, including such topics as:
Engaging the world of the text
- Actively reading and translating the text, asking questions of the text informed by exegetical method
- Lexical analysis – take the steps in doing a word study
- Grammatical analysis – analyse syntax at clause and sentence levels Discourse analysis – move beyond sentence level analysis
- Genre analysis – note the particular features of Hebrew narrative necessary for interpretation
Studying the world behind the text
- Consider questions of composition, authorship, audience and their settings
- Analyse text-critical, including how the Masoretes understood and annotated the text
- Assess the importance of historical, socio-cultural and religious contexts
Working the text into the world
- Consider biblical theology and redemptive history
- Work through some of the implications for today
- Create an exegetical synthesis and shape it for exposition
Section B: Apply the methods introduced in Section A to other genres in the Hebrew Bible
Choose various readings in different genres and work through the steps of exegesis in each readings. Examples include:
- Readings in legal literature (e.g. Exodus 21:28-36; Deuteronomy 24:14-22 or similar passages)
- Readings in prophetic literature (e.g. Jeremiah 22:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-6 or similar passages)
- Readings in Wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs 3:13-26; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 or similar passages)
- Readings in Psalms (choose from amongst some of the shorter Psalms)
In each area of reading from the Hebrew Bible, the aim is to develop an appreciation of how the work of exegesis can best be fitted to the genre and text-type under consideration
Set Readings
This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.
Boda, M. J., Zechariah (NICOT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015).
Coggins, R. J., Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Old Testament Guides; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1987).
Curtis, B. G., Up the Steep and Stony Road: The Book of Zechariah in Social Location Trajectory Analysis (Academia Biblica 25, Atlanta: SBL, 2006).
Floyd, M. H., Minor Prophets: Part 2 (FOTL 22; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).
Hill, A. E., Malachi: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998).
Meadowcroft, T., Haggai (Readings: A New Biblical Commentary; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2006).
Meyers, C. L. and E. M. Meyers, Haggai, Zechariah 1–8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (New York: Doubleday, 1987).
Meyers, C. L. and E. M. Meyers, Zechariah 9–14: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (New York: Doubleday, 1993).
Petterson, A. R., Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi (AOTC 25; Nottingham: IVP, 2015).
Taylor, R. A., and E. R. Clendenen, Haggai, Malachi (NAC 21A; Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2004).
Wenzel, H., Reading Zechariah with Zechariah 1:1-6 as the Introduction to the Entire Book (CBET 59; Leuven: Peeters, 2011).
Wolters, A., Zechariah (HCOT; Leuven: Peeters, 2014).