THEO8706 Biblical Hebrew 3 GE

2016

4.5

1 x 3-hour seminar weekly

1 of THEO3704, THEO3708 has been successfully completed

Assignment(s), Test(s), Tutorial presentation, Tutorial participation

This topic focuses on the consolidation of skills in the translation of Biblical Hebrew texts. Emphasis will be given to vocabulary building and the reading and analysis of difficult texts. Knowledge of Hebrew grammar will be consolidated and the use of the critical apparatus of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS) practiced. The characteristics and effective translation of biblical poetry will be explored since poetic texts are among the more complex in the Hebrew Bible. The relationship between translation and theological interpretation will be examined. Consideration will also be given to the place of Biblical Hebrew in the wider context of Semitic Languages.

This topic aims to:

• consolidate translation skills in Biblical Hebrew

• analyse the characteristics of Hebrew Bible poetry and develop facility in the translation of poetic texts

• provide foundation skills in the study of later Hebrew through the reading of extra-biblical texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls and Mishnah

• introduce the Semitic language family

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• read, translate and analyse substantial portions of the Hebrew Bible, including poetic texts, in a theologically-aware manner

• translate (in glossed form) extra-Biblical Hebrew texts

• synthesise the text-critical apparatus of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia into translation

• demonstrate advanced analytic and research skills in using biblical commentaries that refer to the Hebrew text