Course Description

The primary goal of this course, the first in a three-semester sequence, is to gain working knowledge of Classical Biblical Hebrew (CBH). The course will especially focus on matters of language—phonology, pronunciation, orthography, nominal and verbal morphology, grammar, syntax, lexicon, etc. Language acquisition will occur through exercises both in reading and composition, with students learning vocabulary pertaining to many areas of life, including family household, economy, politics, agriculture, religion, law, and many others. Students will read excerpts from Genesis, Exodus and Jonah in the second semester. Students will learn how to exegete and interpret the biblical passages in the original language.



[3 Credits, MDiv Core]



Registration closing date:
6 Jan 2025

Register

  • Dates : 2025

    (Thursdays)
    Jan: 9, 16, 23
    Feb: 6, 13, 20, 27
    Mar: 20, 27
    Apr: 3, 10, 17, 24
    May: 8

  • Time

    7:15pm-10:00pm

  • Location

    Online via Zoom (with Blended Learning)

Instructor

Dr Sun Jiani

Lecturer

Jiani finished her DPhil in Theology/Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford. Her dissertation is on the Wisdom of Solomon in which she argues that scriptural interpretation enables the reading community to re-experience God’s saving acts in history. Originally from Shanghai, China, she has spent six years in the US before she comes to Oxford. She received her BA in Biblical Studies and Philosophy from Wheaton (IL) in 2018 and then completed an MAR at Yale Divinity School in 2020. She enjoys reading, cooking, and hosting people with her husband.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    General

    • Course Syllabus

    • Orientation Course and Library Access

    • William Scott, A Simplified Guide to BHS
  • 2

    Oral Recitation

    • Oral Recitation Verses