Courses in Old Testament Studies

OT1001 Old Testament Criticism
An introductory study of Old Testament criticism, including theories on the text and its composition, modern methods of textual analysis, canonicity, and the history, theory, and practice of Old Testament criticism. (2 hours)
OT1003 Adv OT Biblical Theology: by Independent Study
consistent, comprehensive, and integrative biblical theology. Prerequisite: OT705 Introduction to Old Testament Biblical Theology. (2 hours)
OT1004 Exegesis in the Torah
An exegetical, critical, and literary study of selected passages in the Torah, designed to enhance an appreciation and comprehension of the literature and an understanding of how it contributes to the overall purpose and message of the Old Testament. (3 hours)
OT1005 Exegesis in the Prophets
An exegetical, critical, and literary study of selected passages in the Prophets, designed to enhance an appreciation and comprehension of the literature and an understanding of how it contributes to the overall purpose and message of the Old Testament. (3 hours)
OT1005 Exegesis in the Prophets: by Independent Study
An exegetical, critical, and literary study of selected passages in the Prophets, designed to enhance an appreciation and comprehension of the literature and an understanding of how it contributes to the overall purpose and message of the Old Testament. (3 hours)
OT1008 Old Testament Dissertation
Independent research and writing of a dissertation on an approved topic pertaining to Old Testament studies, under the supervision of three faculty advisers. (3 hours)
OT1009 Old Testament Diss Continuation
The dissertation continuation course is required of all students writing a dissertation who are beyond one year in the dissertation process. Students must register for this course each fall and spring until completion of the dissertation. (1 hour)
OT101 Elements of Hebrew I
A survey of the cultural, historical, literary, and theological backgrounds of the Old Testament as well as an introduction to the basic principles of Hebrew phonology and morphology. (3 hours)
OT101 Elements of Hebrew I
An introduction to the basic principles of Hebrew phonology and morphology. (3 hours)
OT102 Elements of Hebrew II
A study of Hebrew morphology and syntax as well as an introduction to text criticism and to the basic tools and methods of lexical analysis. Includes translation of the Book of Jonah, with lexical analysis of key words and syntactical analysis of selected forms, phrases, and clauses. (3 hours)
OT102 Elements of Hebrew II
A study of Hebrew morphology and syntax. Includes translation of the Book of Jonah, with syntactical analysis of selected forms, phrases, and clauses. (3 hours)
OT103 Hebrew Exegesis I
An introduction to Hebrew exegesis, including a review of Hebrew morphology, and syntactical analysis, and an introduction to the basic tools and methods for text critical, lexical, literary, and genre analysis. Application is made to narrative literature. Attention is also given to theological correlation and homiletical application of passages studied, as well as to relevant elements of Old Testament historical and cultural background. Prerequisite: OT101 Introduction to Old Testament Language and Literature and OT102 Elements of Hebrew or a satisfactory score on the advanced standing exams. (3 hours)
OT103 Hebrew Exegesis I
An introduction to the exegesis of Hebrew narrative and poetry, including a review of Hebrew morphology, syntax, and lexical analysis in conjunction with translation of the Book of Ruth and the exegesis of selected Psalms. Prerequisite: NT101-102 Elements of Greek, OT101 Elements of Hebrew I, and OT102 Elements of Hebrew II or a satisfactory score on the advanced-standing exams. (3 hours)
OT104 Hebrew Exegesis II & O.T.I.
An application of the methods introduced in OT103 to selected passages from prophetic, hymnic, and wisdom literature. The course includes an introduction to hermeneutical principles and critical methods pertaining to these genres, as well as to Hebrew poetry in general. Attention is also given to theological correlation and homiletical application of passages studied, as well as to relevant elements of Old Testament history and backgrounds. Prerequisite: OT103 Introduction to Hebrew Exegesis or a satisfactory score on the advanced standing exam. (3 hours)
OT104 Hebrew Exegesis II & Old Testament Intro
An application of methods introduced in OT102-103 to selected passages from prophetic, wisdom, apocalyptic, and /or legal literature as well as a survey of the cultural, literary, and theological backgrounds of the Old Testament and an introduction to various forms of Old Testament criticism. Prerequisite: OT103 Hebrew Exegesis I or a satisfactory score on the advanced-standing exam. (3 hours)
OT2020 Intro to Akkadian
An introduction to the most important ancient Near Eastern Semitic languages and their major comparative features. The course surveys the basic grammar of Akkadian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, and Arabic, and considers how to use the resources available for the study of these languages for research in the text of the Old Testament. (3 hours)
OT2030 Readings in Ugaritic
A course devoted to the reading and analysis of selected Ugaritic poetic texts. The significance of Ugaritic literature for the study of the Old Testament will be emphasized. Prerequisite: OT2020 Introduction to Semitic Languages. (2 hours)
OT2040 Intro to Aramaic Targums
An introduction to the grammar and syntax of targumic Aramaic, with selected readings from the major Aramaic Targums. Attention is given to targumic translation techniques and the relevance of targumic studies to Old and New Testament research. (3 hours)
OT2045 Intro to Syriac
An introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Syriac, with readings from both biblical and extrabiblical Syriac texts. Particular attention is given to the value of a working knowledge of Syriac for Old and New Testament studies. (3 hours)
OT210 The Old Testament in Contemporary Culture
(3 hours)
OT305 Advanced Hebrew Grammar
An advanced study of Hebrew grammar and syntax as an essential phase of Old Testament exegesis. The major steps in grammatical and syntactical analysis are explored and then applied to specific passages. (3 hours)
OT310 Hebrew Reading
Studies in selected portions of the Old Testament to improve the student's ability to read Hebrew, emphasizing morphology, vocabulary, and syntactical recognition. Required of students with an Old Testament concentration in the Academic Ministries track or Interdisciplinary Studies track. Prerequisite: OT101 Introduction to Old Testament Language and Literature and OT102 Elements of Hebrew. (3 hours)
OT315 OT Textual Criticism: by Independent Study
A study of the history of the Hebrew text and versions of the Old Testament with a view to developing ability in doing textual criticism. Students gain practice in solving textual problems and in relating textual criticism to exegesis. (3 hours)
OT325 Biblical Aramaic: by Independent Study
A study of the basic principles of phonology, morphology, and syntax of biblical Aramaic. Translation and analysis of the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel are accompanied by discussion of the relevance of Aramaic studies to Old and New Testament research. (3 hours)
OT330 Reading in Ugaritic
(2 hours)
OT340 Introduction to the Aramaic Targums
(3 hours)
OT345 Introduction to Syriac
(3 hours)
OT360 Introduction to Akkadian
(3 hours)
OT407 Exegesis of Exodus
An exegetical study of Exodus in its cultural and historical setting, with attention to its literary features and contributions to theology. Attention will also be given to preparation for preaching and teaching and to enhancing facility in reading Hebrew. (3 hours)
OT430 Exegesis of Isaiah
An exegetical study of selected portions of Isaiah with attention to exegetical-theological method and homiletical application. Different portions of the book are studied in alternate years. (3 hours)
OT450 Exegesis of Job
A literary, exegetical, and theological study of the Book of Job. The course will also address issues of hermeneutics, theology, and application. (3 hours)
OT615 Israel Religion in ANE Context
A study of the religion of Israel in Old Testament times in both a descriptive and normative sense against the background of the historical, cultural, and religious world of which it was a part. May also be credited in the Department of Bible Exposition. (3 hours)
OT705 Intro to OT Biblical Theology
A study of the nature and history of the biblical theology movement, a survey of major contributors to the study of Old Testament biblical theology, and a proposal for doing biblical theology according to proper exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological method. May also be credited in the Department of Theological Studies. (3 hours)
OT710 Knowing God through the OT
A study of divine names, titles, roles, attributes, and acts/self-revelation with a view to their relevance for Christian theology, worship, and ethics. The course will also compare and contrast Israelite monotheism with ancient Near Eastern polytheism in an effort to help the student appreciate the unique revelatory nature of Israel's religion. (3 hours)
OT720 The Use of O.T. in N.T.
A textual, exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological study of selected quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament. May also be credited in the Department of New Testament Studies or the Department of Bible Exposition. Prerequisites: OT101 Introduction to Old Testament Language and Literature, OT102 Elements of Hebrew, and NT101-NT102 Elements of Greek. (3 hours)
OT725 Biblical Theology of Covenants
An exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological study of the major biblical covenants in their relationship to the historical unfolding of the history of salvation (Heilsgeschichte). Special attention will be placed on understanding the biblical covenants in the light of ancient Near Eastern treaties and on their historical inauguration and eschatological fulfillment. (3 hours)
OT730 Biblical Theology of the Law
An exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological study of the law of God. Special attention will focus on historical-cultural, literary, exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological issues, such as the relation of the Mosaic Law to Mesopotamian law codes, the relation of the Decalogue to the case laws, the relation of the law to the covenants and promise, continuity and discontinuity in the relation of the Old Covenant law to the New Covenant, and the relevance of the law in the Christian life. The course will also compare and evaluate the various models of the role/relevance of the Mosaic Law in the Christian life, as presented in various schools of dispensational and reformed theology. (3 hours)
OT730 Biblical Theology of the Law: by Independent Study
An exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological study of the law of God. Special attention will focus on historical-cultural, literary, exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological issues, such as the relation of the Mosaic Law to Mesopotamian law codes, the relation of the Decalogue to the case laws, the relation of the law to the covenants and promise, continuity and discontinuity in the relation of the Old Covenant law to the New Covenant, and the relevance of the law in the Christian life. The course will also compare and evaluate the various models of the role/relevance of the Mosaic Law in the Christian life, as presented in various schools of dispensational and reformed theology. (3 hours)