Intermediate Hebrew OT504
Winter 2016
Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr.
rbelcher@rts.edu
Course Description
This course lays a foundation for doing exegesis in Hebrew. Primary attention is given to
translation and the verbal system, including weak verbs.
Course Goals
1) The ability to recognize and parse verbs
2) To begin to acquire a basic vocabulary for reading Hebrew
3) Hands-on experience of Bible translation and the ability to read easier passages of
Hebrew
4) To become acquainted with various Hebrew tools and their use
5) To develop a growing sense of the importance of Hebrew in exegesis
Textbooks
A) Books students have already purchased for Introduction to Hebrew and required for
Intermediate Hebrew:
1) Mark D. Futato, Beginning Biblical Hebrew (Eisenbrauns, 2003): purchased through
the RTS Charlotte bookstore
2) A Hebrew Bible: either the Hebrew text alone (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia) or the
Hebrew and Greek text published together (Biblia Sacra: Hebraica et Graeca)
3) A Hebrew Lexicon: William L. Holladay, A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of
the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991)
4) Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Cards, Raymond Dillard
B) Also required for Intermediate Hebrew:
1) Bill T. Arnold and John H. Choi, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax
2) Steven D. Mathewson, "Advanced Plot Analysis," in The Art of Preaching Old
Testament Narrative (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002), 227-255; abbreviated (APOTN);
this book is used for Communications II
3) Todd J. Murphy, Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew (Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003)
Intermediate Hebrew Syllabus
2
4) The Trinity Psalter, Crown and Covenant Publications, 1994: purchased through the
RTS Charlotte bookstore
Basic Course Structure
1) Each day will consist of a quiz, review (including oral work), and new lecture material.
2) Most assignments are in the mega-syllabus and come from the Hebrew Bible.
3) Although each student will develop a methodology for accomplishing the homework
assignments, the following is a suggestion toward that development:
a) For each homework assignment the Hebrew text is printed on a sheet of paper for the
student, with space between the clauses and verses so information can be written on the
paper.
b) Examine the text clause-by-clause and identify in each verse things that you are able to
recognize, such as the meaning of words, the identification of the root of verbs, the
parsing of verbs, the translation of Hebrew phrases.
c) Get help with things you do not recognize through the following tools:
i) Hebrew Lexicon
ii) a computer program like BibleWorks
iii) if a student does not have access to a computer program, the following can be helpful
-Todd S. Beale, Old Testament Parsing Guide (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986)
-Benjamin Davidson, Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon (Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson, 1850/1995)
d) The goal is to parse all the verbs and to translate each verse
e) Check your work against a translation that is on the literal side, such as the NAS
f) Although students may use BibleWorks (or an equivalent) to prepare homework, there
is a danger that one will become too dependent on BibleWorks, so that the student should
put some effort into parsing and translation before turning to BibleWorks. Also,
BibleWorks is not to be used when going over homework in class. Thus each student
should bring the results of their homework on a separate sheet of paper (parsing of verbs,
translation of the verse, and any other questions on the homework assignment sheet).
g) All work in class will be done out of the Hebrew Bible. Please bring your Hebrew
Bible to class and read out of the Hebrew Bible.
Intermediate Hebrew Syllabus
Quizzes
1) Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class and are designed to last about 20
minutes. You will always be told what new material to expect on a quiz. No quizzes are
dropped for Intermediate Hebrew and you must have a good reason to make-up a quiz if
you miss a quiz.
2) Vocabulary is laid out according to the numbers on the vocabulary cards (see the
Schedule); also see document 003.
Exams
1) A Strong Verb Parsing Exam will be given January 11.
2) The Final Exam will have several parts, including the parsing of weak verbs and the
translation of Hebrew passages. Students will be able to use helps on some parts of the
exam.
Assignments
1) There is an assignment on doing a Mechanical Layout based on the use of the waw
consecutive (wcs) in Hebrew narrative.
a) Read Matthewson Appendix A
b) Do a Mechanical Layout of Genesis 3:1-15 based on the following steps
i) all the clauses that begin with imperfect wcs start at the left margin and the verb is
underlined
ii) any clause that does not begin with imperfect wcs is indented
iii) speech is indented and put in italics
2) All assignments (Final Exam and Mechanical Layout) must be finished by Friday,
January 29, 5:00 PM
Grading
40%
35%
10%
10%
05%
Final Examination
Quizzes
Mechanical Layout
Parsing Exam
Class Participation
3
Intermediate Hebrew Syllabus
4
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course:
Professor:
Campus:
Date:
Hebrew 2
Richard P Belcher
Charlotte
March 2009
MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined
the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process.
Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the
contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
Rubric




Mini-Justification
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this
syllabus.
Articulation
(oral &
written)
Scripture
Reformed
Theology
Sanctification
Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both
oral and written, of essential biblical, theological,
historical, and cultural/global information, including
details, concepts, and frameworks.
Significant knowledge of the original meaning of
Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research
further into the original meaning of Scripture and to
apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances.
(Includes appropriate use of original languages and
hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical,
and cultural/global perspectives.)
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and
practice, with emphasis on the Westminster
Standards.
Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the
student’s sanctification.
Desire for
Worldview
Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of
God.
Winsomely
Reformed
Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an
appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians,
especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the
Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians;
and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.)
Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture
to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm.
Preach
Worship
Shepherd
Church/World
Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to
lead a worship service.
Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in
spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings;
and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both
in America and worldwide.
Ability to interact within a denominational context,
within the broader worldwide church, and with
significant public issues.
None
Moderate
more of the tools available to the
students to understand the original
meaning of Scripture through
Hebrew
None
Minimal
None
None
None
None
None
None
open each class with devotion and
singing of a psalm
Intermediate Hebrew Syllabus
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