A8510
Course Unit Outline
Unit Code
A8510
Unit Name
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
Unit Weighting
9 credit points
Type of Unit
Foundational
Prerequisites, corequisites or exclusions
Nil
Academic Staff
Dr Michele A. Connolly, PhD, GTU Berkeley, CA 2008. The list of academic faculty qualified to teach
this unit is given in the faculty register.
Curriculum Objectives
This Course Unit introduces students to the basic elements of Biblical Hebrew. It enables students
to read Hebrew Biblical texts with the use of dictionaries and grammars.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Memorize sufficient vocabulary to translate selected Biblical Hebrew passages.
2. Recognize basic Biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax.
3. Translate, parse and analyse simple Biblical Hebrew into English.
4. Use Biblical Hebrew dictionaries and concordances.
5. Employ their knowledge to read critical exegetical commentaries on biblical texts.
Threshold concept to be acquired in this unit
Nil
Content
1. Hebrew alphabet, basic Biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax
2. Lexical and grammatical study of selected Hebrew texts
3. Translation of selected Biblical Hebrew texts
4. Introduction to the use of Biblical Hebrew /English dictionaries and concordances
Learning Activities
Lectures, exercises in translation, parsing and analysis, quizzes.
Required Specialist Facilities or Equipment
Nil
Assessment Profile
Assessment tasks are designed both to help students attain the unit outcomes and to enable
teachers to assess student attainment. In this unit, the required assessment tasks will enable
students to demonstrate how successfully they can:
1. Memorise required Hebrew grammar paradigms and vocabulary. [Outcome 1]
2. Translate, parse and analyse Biblical Hebrew texts, both seen and unseen into English.
[Outcomes 2, 3 and 5]
3. Consult dictionaries, concordances and grammars to enhance study of Biblical Hebrew texts.
[Outcome 4]
Representative References
1. Bartelt, Andrew H. Fundamental Biblical Hebrew. Saint Louis: Concordia, 2000.
2. Brown, F., S.R. Driver and C.A. Briggs. Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Oxford:
OUP, 1975.
3. Kelley, Page H. Biblical Hebrew. An Introductory Grammar (and Handbook). Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1992.
4. Landes, George. Building Your Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary. Atlanta: SBL, 2001.
5. Pratico, Gary Davis and Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2001.
6. Ross, Alan P. Introductory Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.
7. Walker-Jones, Arthur. Hebrew for Biblical Interpretation. Atlanta GA: Society of Biblical
Literature, 2003