MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)

Course: REL211

First Term: 2010 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: The historical context, development, canonization, historical transmission, translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the changes in historical context through the biblical era. (I, II) 2. Trace the development of the Hebrew Bible`s documents and canon. (III) 3. Identify the various genres of literature in the Hebrew Bible. (III, IV, V) 4. Describe the place of and influences on the Hebrew language in the biblical era. (II) 5. Describe the functions of sacred literature in the biblical era. (III, IV, V, VI) 6. Identify important ancient translations of the Hebrew Bible. (VI) 7. Describe the canonization and transmission process of the Hebrew Bible. (VI, VII) 8. Describe the role of the synagogue and the Pharisaic movement in the development of biblical interpretation. (VI) 9. Describe the Masoretic tradition and its impact on the text of the Hebrew Bible. (VI) 10. Describe the establishment of a critical Hebrew Bible text. (VII) 11. Describe the relationship of modern translations to the text of the Hebrew Bible. (VIII) 12. Describe representative modern insights into the Hebrew Bible. (IX, XI) 13. Describe the various interpretive approaches to the Hebrew Bible. (X)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. The History of the Biblical Period (2000-63 BCE) A. Archaeological and Extrabiblical Literary Evidence B. Pre-Abrahamic History C Exodus and Wandering D. Hebrews, Canaanites and Invasion Theories E. The Rise of Monarchy F. Israel and Judah G. Exiles of the North and the South H. Judah under Babylon, Persia, Greece and Syria I. The Maccabean Revolt J. The Roman Occupation II. The Development of the Hebrew Language A. Hebrew and Other Semitic Languages B. Northern and Southern Hebrew Dialects C. Changes in Hebrew through the Biblical Period D. Influence of Egyptian, Aramaic and Greek E. Literary Hebrew and Spoken Hebrew III. The Early Documents A. The Purpose and Audience of Literature B. The Place of the YHWH Cult C. The Document Theory and the Authorship of the Torah D. Early Prophetic Movements 1. Amos 2. Hosea 3. Micah 4. Isaiah E. Biblical Poetry IV. The Exile and Its Literature A. Deuteronomic Tradition 1. Jeremiah 2. Deuteronomy 3. Deuteronomic History (Joshua-Judges-Samuel-Kings) B. Exilic Prophets 1. Ezekiel 2. Habakkuk 3. Nahum 4. Zephaniah 5. Obadiah C. The Completion of the Torah D. Lamentations and Other Exilic Poetry V. The Late Documents A. The Place of Ezra and Nehemiah B. The History of the Chronicler C. The Writings 1. Esther 2. Daniel 3. Ruth D. Wisdom Literature 1. Proverbs 2. Ecclesiastes 3. Job E. Late Prophets 1. Malachi 2. Haggai 3. Joel 4. Jonah 5. Zechariah VI. The Popularization of the Hebrew Bible A. The Early Translations 1. Septuagint 2. Samaritan Pentateuch 3. Targums B. The Creation and Role of the Synagogue C. The Pharisees D. The Dead Sea Scrolls E. The Assumptions of the Mishnah F. The Masoretic Tradition 1. Transmission of he Consonantal Text 2. Vocalization Systems 3. The Massorah 4. Leningradensis, Aleppo and other editions VII. Modern Critical Editions A. Biblia Hebraica B. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia C. Biblia Hebraica Quinta VIII. Modern Translation A. Jewish Translations B. Protestant Translations C. Catholic Translations D. Other Translations IX. Modern Understandings of Hebrew A. Extrabiblical examples of biblical Hebrew B. The impact of the Ugaritic texts C. Modern philological study X. Interpretive Approaches A. The Bible as Divine Word B. The Bible as History C. The Bible as Analogy/Metaphor D. The Bible as Literature E. The Bible as Socioeconomic Manifesto XI. Biblical Commentary A. Medieval B. Reformation C. Modern D. Recent Trends

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 12/8/2009

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.