A8530
Course Unit Outline
Unit Code
A8530
Unit Name
Introduction to Biblical Languages
Unit Weighting
9 credit points
Type of Unit
Foundational
Prerequisites, corequisites or exclusions
Nil
Academic Staff
David McEwan HND (London 1970) MDiv (NTS Kansas City 1986) PhD (UQ 2006). The list of
academic faculty qualified to teach this unit is given in the faculty register.
Curriculum Objectives
This graduate course unit gives an introduction to biblical Hebrew and Greek that will enable
students to use various grammatical and lexical tools without requiring a fluency in the language.
This will enable them to use with discernment English-language translations for exegesis.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Recognise the alphabet and language structure of biblical Hebrew and Greek
2. Understand the nuances of the grammatical structures of the biblical languages
3. Evaluate English language translations in the light of the various language tools studied
4. Competently utilise an English language translation and various grammatical/lexical tools in
exegesis
5. Apply the results of their study to enrich Christian life and ministry
Threshold concept to be acquired in this unit
Nil
Content
1. Introductory hermeneutical theory
2. Translation theory and practice
3. Introducing biblical Hebrew and Greek
4. Parts of speech and language structure
5. Simple sentence diagramming
6. Using reference works and word studies
7. Evaluating and using English language translations
8. Sample exegesis from an OT and an NT book
Learning Activities
Seminars, Tutorials, Lectures, Student Presentations
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. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the structure and grammar of the biblical languages (e.g.
quiz). [Outcomes 1 and 2]
2. Competently utilise the specialist language tools introduced in the unit (e.g. test). [Outcomes 3
and 4]
3. Exegete and present a sample passage from the Old and New Testaments (e.g. seminar, class
presentation). [Outcomes 3, 4 and 5]
Representative References
1. Colwell, Ernest C. and Ernest W. Tune. A Beginner's Reader-Grammar for New Testament
Greek. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2001.
2. Davidson, B. The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1986.
3. Duff, Jeremy and Jonathan T. Pennington. The Elements of New Testament Greek. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
4. Friberg, B. and T. Friberg. The Analytical Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981.
5. Kelley, Page H., Terry L. Burden and Timothy G. Crawford. A Handbook to Biblical Hebrew: an
Introductory Grammar. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
6. Mounce, W. D. Greek for the Rest of Us: Mastering Bible Study without Mastering Biblical
Languages. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
7. Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar (3rd ed). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
8. Pratico, Gary D. and Miles Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar (2nd ed). Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2007.
9. Ross, Allen P. Introducing Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001.
10. Scorgie, Glen G., Mark L. Strauss, and Steven M. Voth. The challenge of Bible translation:
communicating God's word to the world. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
11. Webb, Joseph M. and Robert Kysar. Greek for Preachers. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2002.
12. Young, Norman H. and Jonathan T. Pennington. Syntax Lists for Students of New Testament
Greek. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.