OT033-812 - Principles and Practice of Old Testament Exegesis (Hebrew)

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • old testamentUnit Discipline

Prerequisites

LA004-612

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code OT643. 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 will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of the exegetical task for the Old Testament

B. Be able to

1.Examine the rationale and dimensions of the exegetical task for the Old Testament

2. Demonstrate Advanced skill in Old Testament exegesis from the Hebrew text

3. Present Research-Aware 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:

  1. Readings in legal literature (e.g. Exodus 21:28-36; Deuteronomy 24:14-22 or similar passages)
  2. Readings in prophetic literature (e.g. Jeremiah 22:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-6 or similar passages)
  3. Readings in Wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs 3:13-26; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 or similar passages)
  4. 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).