Wayland Baptist University ¤ Virtual Campus
School of Religion and Philosophy ¤ HEBR5302 VC01
Biblical Hebrew I
Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging,
learning-focused, and distinctively Christian environment for professional success and
service to God and humankind.
Instructor
¤ Dr. David Howle, Executive Director, Hawaii Campus
¤ 808-488-8570 ext. 348 (8:00-12:00 and 1:15-5:00, Hawaii time)
¤ dhowle@wbu.edu
Catalog Description
A continuation of the study of the language of the Hebrew Old Testament
with attention to vocabulary, grammar, and syntax through the reading and
translation of selected Old Testament texts. Prerequisite: HEBR 5301
Class time, location, and method of instruction
This class will meet exclusively online via Blackboard for eleven weeks, a
total of 45 contact hours. Because this class meets online, assessment of class
attendance will be done through observation of students’ weekly participation in
discussion board forums, journals, quizzes, and project preparation.
Resources
Required texts:
Pratico, Gary D. and Van Pelt, Miles V. Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar,
2nd ed. Zondervan, 2007. ISBN 9780310270201
Pratico, Gary D. and Van Pelt, Miles V. Basics of Biblical Hebrew Workbook,
2nd ed. Zondervan, 2007. ISBN 9780310270225
Recommended websites:
Quizlet Hebrew Alphabet (Hebrew alphabet flashcards and learning games)
http://quizlet.com/222209/hebrew-alphabet-flash-cards/
Bible Hub Interlinear Bible (interlinear Hebrew Bible)
http://biblehub.com/interlinear/
Jewish Virtual Library: Hebrew (history of Hebrew alphabet)
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/hebrewhistory.html
Hebrew for Christians (Hebrew language studies written by Messianic Jews)
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/
University of Texas: Hebrew Language: Biblical Hebrew (learning biblical Hebrew)
http://www.laits.utexas.edu/hebrew/biblicalhebrew
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, the student will be able to
 Perform analysis of Hebrew verb forms distinguishing state, stem, and
person/number/gender on sight.
 Describe the impact of the function and syntax of the Hebrew language on
translation.
 Recognize and translate at least 800 of the most used Hebrew words in the
Old Testament.
 Translate assigned passages from the Hebrew Bible using a Hebrew lexicon.
Disability statement
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is
the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a
disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject
to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the university. The
Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students with a
disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806)
291- 3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for
accommodations.
Learning Activities/ Assessment Methods
• Discussion board forums
Ten of the eleven weeks will require responses to discussion board forums:
two replies to the professor’s questions and two responses to the comments of
other students. Exercises from the Workbook will be included in the discussion
board. Grading will follow a matrix posted on Blackboard.
• Journal
Each student will keep a journal to record observations, questions, and
experiences related to the topic of studying Hebrew. Participation rather than
content will be the criterion for grading.
• Quiz
One quiz will assess your understanding of Hebrew verb systems in all states
and conjugations.
• Translation exercise
Students will prepare a study of an assigned, selected biblical passage, which
includes verse-by-verse parsing, a literal translation, and a reader-friendly
translation. Preparation of the study will begin early in the semester. The final
product will be due at the end of the semester.
Grading
Final grade will result from assessment of the assignments as follows:
Assignment
Discussion board forums
Journal
Quiz
Translation exercise
Number of items
10
11
1
1
Percentage of final score
40%
15%
10%
35%
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or
capricious academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been
held to realistic academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate
grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by using the student grade
appeal process described in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be made for
advanced placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals are
limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any
stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be
submitted through the Executive Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly
Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade
Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or
lowered to a more proper evaluation.
Schedule of assignments
G = Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar; W = Basics of Biblical Hebrew
Workbook; DBF = discussion board forum
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Topic
Assignment
Review of Qal Perfect and
Imperfect
Niphal stem
Piel and Pual stems
Hiphil and Hophal stems
Hithpael stem
Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Biblical text selection
Review G, ch. 12, 13, and 15
Read G, ch. 23
G, ch. 24-25; W, ch. 24-25
G, ch. 26-29; W, ch. 26-29
G, ch. 30-33; W, ch. 30-33
G, ch. 34-35; W, ch. 34-35
G, ch. 36; Appendices 1-3
Parse and translate
Course assessment
Finish translation preparation
Assessment
Medium
DBF1
DBF2
DBF3
DBF4
DBF5
DBF6; quiz
DBF7
DBF8
DBF9
DBF10
Translation