INTERTESTAMENTAL HISTORY & LITERATURE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Zion Bible College
NT3231-01 2 Credits
Spring 2011
Thursdays (6:30 – 8:20 p.m.) - 111
Rev. David Hodge, Adjunct Faculty
Office: Admissions, Academy Hall 126
Campus Phone: 978-478-3432
Email: dhodge@zbc.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 3:00-4:30 p.m.
The mission of Zion Bible College is to teach and train students for excellent Pentecostal
ministry, in fulfillment of the Great Commission.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a detailed study of the historical period between the Old and New
Testaments. It addresses the political and cultural circumstances which influenced the Jewish
context of the New Testament. Special attention is also given to literature which developed in
response to the events of this era.
TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS:
1. Gowan, Donald. Bridge Between the Testaments. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications,
1986.
2. Turbian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers. 7th ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press,
2007.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS:
1. The Apocrypha. Translated by Edgar J. Goodspeed. New York, NY: Vintage Books,
1989. Other sources for the Apocrypha include many Bible translations such as AV, KJV,
NRSV, and ESV and online resources such as
http://wesley.nnu.edu/biblical_studies/noncanon/apocrypha.html and Wikipedia.
2. Charlesworth, James H. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. 2 vols. New York, NY:
Doubleday, 1983. An online source for the Pseudepigrapha is available at
http://www.stfx.ca/academic/religious-studies/ocp/
3. Vermes, Geza. The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English. New York, NY: Penguin
Books, 2004.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this course, each student should be able to:
1. Identify, outline, and summarize the various historical circumstances of the
intertestamental period.
2. Explain the practical and theological development of the Jewish faith in this era.
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3. Examine primary sources and materials, analyze their content, and explain the insights
they provide into the historical, social, and religious context of Judaism.
4. Evaluate and explain the influence of these factors on the New Testament and
Christianity.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The following requirements are designed to provide a strong foundation upon which to build
your future study of the Bible.
1. Quizzes: There will be two (2) quizzes during the semester. These will be primarily
objective in nature aiming to ensure that each student is learning the necessary
foundational material for the course. These will also be preparatory for the exams.
2. Examinations: There will be a mid-term and a final. Exams will be composed of
objective questions including true/false, completion, matching, and multiple choice but
will also include essays and short answer questions to ensure that you understand
concepts and applications.
 The mid-term exam will test material as outlined in class.
 The final exam will be comprehensive of all course material.
3. Textbooks and Original Source Reading: The assigned portions of the textbook and the
additional assigned material must be read.
 The following chapters of the Gowan text must be read: Part I (pgs 1-123), Part II
(pgs 125-179, 185-186), Part III (pgs 187-211, 218-236), Part IV (237-264, 305-308),
and Part V (329-395).
 See the following for the list of additional materials to be read (about 250 pages).
o From the Apocrypha:
 Prayer of Manasseh
 Additions to Daniel: Susanna, Song of the Three Children, Bel and the Dragon
 Tobit or Judith
 1 & 2 Maccabees
 1 Esdras 3:1-5:6
 Wisdom of Solomon 1-6
 Ecclesiasticus/Sirach (any 5 chapters)
o From the Pseudepigrapha:
 1 Enoch 1-6; 91-105
o From Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews:
 Book 14 Ch 15 section 14 through Ch 16
 Book 15 Chs 8-9, 11
 Book 16 Ch 5
 Book 17 Chs 6-8
o From Philo Allegorical Interpretation I
 Sections I-XIV (allegorical interpretation of Gen 1 creation account)
o From the Dead Sea Scrolls:
 The War Rule/Scroll
 While it is best to complete the reading in conjunction with each lesson, verifications
will be accepted until you submit your final exam.
 No partial reading credit will be granted for portions of the text or sources.
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4. In-Class Primary Source Evaluations: During the course of the semester, various
original sources will be read and analyzed in class.
a. The written analysis for three (3) of these, whether completed either individually or in
groups, will be submitted for a grade.
b. Students who are absent for a graded evaluation will have the opportunity for only
one make-up submission.
5. Field Trip: In conjunction with the Backgrounds to the Bible class, we will travel to the
Harvard Semitic Museum and Boston Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, April 13 to
examine artifacts related to the material and social culture of the Ancient Near East and
the intertestamental era. We will leave early in the morning and return at night. You are
required to take cuts for all classes that you miss, so please plan accordingly. These will
not be excused. Also, please make sure that any requirements related to Christian Service
are adequately fulfilled. All costs for the trip must be covered by the student and are
considered as part of the course requirements. This includes the following: train fare to
Boston (approx. $15) and admission to the Harvard Semitic Museum ($5). As we plan to
visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts after 4:00 pm, admission is free. Please bring exact
cash for these events since there is no guarantee that there will be change available.
Meals are additional. If you are unable to attend for some emergency reason or if you
have already participated in this trip, a substitute assignment will be provided by the
professor. These are the only exceptions.
6. Field Trip Response Paper: A response paper must be submitted according to the Zion
Bible College writing standard using current Turabian guidelines.
a. This paper should be 3-5 pages in length (roughly 2 pages per museum) and provide
your personal reflection of the trip and the insights gained from the two museums.
The paper should at a minimum address the following issues:
1. Identify what impressed you as the most significant information gleaned from
these two museums. It will be helpful if you take notes in the journal you will
receive while you are touring.
2. How did viewing these material and/or cultural insights transform your
interpretation of biblical/scriptural background and/or specific passages?
3. Address any other reflections about the trip which you feel are pertinent.
4. In the final paragraph, note your personal assessment of the trip. What was
helpful; what needs improvement; and what were your most favorite and least
favorite parts of the day.
b. The paper is due in my office by 5:00 on Thursday, April 21, before you leave for
Easter break.
POLICIES:
1. Class Attendance: Zion believes that the classroom is an important part of the learning
process, and therefore attendance for all class periods is not only expected but necessary.
If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain all notes and handouts
distributed during your absence. Four absences are permitted throughout the semester for
illness, personal matters, or emergencies. Excessive absences will be handled as outlined
in the Student Handbook.
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2. Cell Phones: Due to federal regulations related the CLERY Act, cell phones are
permitted in class in case of a campus emergency. All phones must be on vibrate and
need only be checked if every phone vibrates at the same time.
3. Plagiarism: A student who submits written material as his/her own work which has been
copied in whole or in part from an author or another person’s paper without
acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism. This includes copying material from printed
books and magazines without giving credit to the original source. Material, whether
published or unpublished, copied from another writer, must be identified by the use of
quotation marks with specific citation of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise
be attributed to the original author. Any student who submits a plagiarized paper or who
permits another person to copy his/her work is subject to any of the following actions:
a. A grade of “zero” or “F” for the paper.
b. Failure in or expulsion from the class.
c. Being reported for further disciplinary action according to the Student and Faculty
Manuals.
4. Cheating: Cheating is a breach of integrity and will be dealt with by the professor or
higher authorities if needed. Cheating consists of such infractions as using unauthorized
notes or material when taking an examination; copying answers to examination questions,
obtaining or helping others to obtain, unauthorized copies of examination questions,
copying another person’s class work/assignments and/or homework and submitting it as
one’s own; having another student do one’s paper, or any other assignment, in whole or
in part and submitting the assignment as one’s own work; allowing another student to
copy one’s paper or assignment; and copying another student’s paper with that student’s
permission. Any student found guilty of cheating will be subject to one or more of the
following actions:
a. Receive an “F” for the assignment or course.
b. Dorming or campusing
c. Suspension
d. Dismissal
5. Due Dates:
a. Make-up exams will only be permitted according to the guidelines outlined in the
Student Handbook and must be completed within one week of the original exam date.
Quizzes may be made up only within one week of the original date with permission
of the professor.
b. The paper is due to the Admissions Office by 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 21, no
exceptions. Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1)
hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended
serious illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s
note and signature of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or
family emergencies granted as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean
of Students; 4) school-approved activities. If the student meets one of these
exceptions, a “Request for Extension Form” must be filled out one week in advance
of the due date. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the
Office of the Academic Dean. If your paper is turned in after 5:00 on April 21, you
will receive an automatic point deduction of five (5) points. For each twenty-four
hour period (including Saturdays, Sundays and school breaks) the paper is not turned
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d.
Date
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in, there will be a forfeiture of five (5) points from the total points. If the paper is not
submitted within five twenty-four hour periods after the due date and time, an
automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for the grade with no chance of making up
the paper. If a hard copy cannot be presented in person by the specified time and
hour, an email copy may be submitted by the deadline for verification of completion
with a hard copy following.
No reading will receive credit after the final exam has been submitted.
A list of due dates for all assignments is provided here for your benefit.
Times
Assignments Due
Topics of Discussion
6:30-8:20
Introduction
6:30-8:20
Jewish writings and canon
6:30-8:50
The Persian Period’s
influence
6:30-8:50 Quiz 1
The Jewish dispersions and
development of the faith
6:30-8:50
Development of the Jewish
faith
6:30-8:50 Mid-Term
Alexander the Great
6:30-8:20
Seleucids and Ptolemies
No- Class Spring Break
6:30-8:20
Influence of Hellenism
6:30-8:20 Quiz 2
Jewish persecution and the
Maccabean revolt
6:00-6:50
The Hasmoneans
6:30-8:20
Qumran and the Dead Sea
Scrolls and Jewish sects
6:30-8:20
The Rise of Rome and
Herod the Great
No Class Easter Break
Field Trip Response Paper
Due by 5:00
6:30-8:20
Messianic Expectations
Final Exam: All reading due
by final
6. Grading Scale:
Primary Source Reading:
7%
Textbook Reading:
8%
Source Evaluations:
15%
Quizzes:
20%
Field Trip and Response Paper:
25%
Exams:
25%
7. Course Schedule and Requirements: The scheduled content and requirements for the
class may be adjusted by the professor if needed.
8. Extra Credit: Extra credit consisting of additional primary source reading may be
obtained from the professor upon request.
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SUPPORT SERVICES:
1. Center for Academic Development: If you need help studying for this class or others,
please feel free to seek assistance through the Center for Academic Development. Its
purpose is to assist you in learning the most that you can in every class. See the
Coordinator of the Center to learn what opportunities for academic enhancement are
available to you.
2. Study Groups: I would suggest that you find some individuals with whom you may
study for quizzes and exams. Group study (when it is well organized and purpose-driven)
is often a benefit to all participants. Not only will this help you learn required material,
but group study will also help you to learn from others’ perspectives on God’s Word.
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RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Arnold, Bill T & Beyer, Bryan E. Encountering the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Books, 1999.
__________________________. Readings from the Ancient Near East. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Books, 2002.
Balla, George. The Four Centuries Between the Testaments. North Richland Hills, TX: BIBAL
Press, 1993.
Blaiklock E.M. and R.K. Harrison et. al. Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 1983.
Bowder, Diana. Who Was Who in the Ancient Greek World 776-30 BC. Ithacha, NY: Cornell
University Press, 1982.
____________. Who Was Who in the Roman World 753 BC -476 AD. Ithacha, NY: Cornell
University Press, 1980.
Brooke, George J. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress
Press, 2005.
Charlesworth, James H. ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Apocalyptic Literatures and
Testaments Vol. 1 & 2. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1985.
DeVaries, LaMoine F. Cities of the Biblical World. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers,
1997.
Eshel, Hanan. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hasmonean State Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing, 2008.
Evans, Craig, A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000.
____________. Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A Guide to the Background Literature
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2005.
Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993.
Gaebelein, Frank, ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary. vol. 1 Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
1988.
Geisler, Norman L. A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
1977.
Geisler, Norman L. and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Chicago, IL:
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Moody Press, 1986.
Gowan, Donald E. Bridge Between the Testaments. Allison Park, PA: Pickwick Publications,
1986.
Green, Joel B., et al. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity,
1992.
Hawthorne, Gerald F., et. al. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity, 1993.
Howgego, Christo. Ancient History from Coins: Approaching the Ancient World. New York,
NY: Routledge Publishers, 1995.
Jeffers, J. S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era. Downers Grove, IL:
Inter-Varsity, 1999.
Johnson, Paul. A History of the Jews. New York, NY: Harper Perennial, 1987.
Manson, Steve. Josephus and the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1992.
Matthews, Victor H Manners and Customs in the Bible. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers,
1991.
McRay, John. Archaeology and the New Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House,
2001.
Moreland, Milton C., ed. Between Text and Artifact. Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature,
2003.
Neusner, Jacob The Mishnah: A New Translation New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1991.
Nickelsburg, George W.E. Jewish Literature between the Bible and the Mishnah 2nd ed.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2005.
Novak, Ralph Martin. Christianity and the Roman Empire: Background Texts. Chicago, IL:
Trinity Press, 2001.
Russell, D.S. Between the Testaments. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1965.
Schurer, Emil. A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ 5 vols. Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.
Stern, Menahem. Greek and Latin Authors on Jews and Judaism 3 vols. Jerusalem, Israel: Israel
Academy of Sciences, 1974.
Vermes, Geza. The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English. New York, NY: Penguin Classics,
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2004.
___________. Who’s Who in the Age of Jesus Christ New York, NY: Penguin Classics, 2006.
Whiston, William. The Works of Josephus. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987.
Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996.
__________. The New Testament and the People of God. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press,
1992.
Young, Brad H. Jesus the Jewish Theologian. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.
_____________. Meet the Rabbi. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008.
Younge, C.D. The Works of Philo. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1993.
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