Hebrew Bible 4: Introduction to the (Prophets and) Writings
Michaelmas Term 2001
M-W-F 10:15-11:05
Instructor: Dr. Steve A. Wiggins
Office: B House, left 646-6523 (voice mail)
Home 646-5562
"There is a wisdom that is woe: but there is a woe that is madness. And there is a Catskill eagle in some souls that can alike dive down into the blackest gorges, and soar out of them again and become invisible in the sunny spaces. And even if he for ever flies within the gorge, that gorge is in the mountains; so that even in his lowest swoop the mountain eagle is still higher than other birds upon the plain, even though they soar."
Herman Melville, Moby Dick
This course resumes where HB 3 ended. This course will cover the content and interpretation of the "writing prophets" (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve), and the third section of the Hebrew Bible, the Writings (µybwtk). For the writing prophets, the order in which the books will be covered is roughly chronological with the historical books from HB 3 providing the background. The Writings consist of the following books: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Chronicles. Each book will be surveyed exegetically, and summarized by its themes. The Deuterocanonical books will be surveyed briefly at the end of the coures. Since the material covered consists largely of poetry, a session on Hebrew poetry opens the course. Special attention will be paid to Hebrew wisdom as well as to the Persian period, since many of the Writings fall under one or both of these spheres of influence.
For both HB 2 and HB 3, the basic purpose is to introduce students to the contents and concepts contained in the Bible and to provide tools for interpreting Scripture. In demonstrating the methods of interpretation long applied to the Bible, as well as more recent methods, it is hoped that the student will acquire the skills necessary for serious scriptural study. Ultimately what is desired is an understanding of Scripture informed by reason, tradition, and experience.
The main texts for this course will be the biblical books listed above. They will be explored in the order listed below under "Class Sessions." Although some knowledge of Hebrew is expected, the books are to be read in English translation. The required version is the New Oxford Annotated Bible, the New Revised Standard Version (NOAB). This is the same Bible which was used in HB 2 and HB 3. It is expected that each book discussed will be read in its entirety, along with the introductory material and footnotes for each book in the NOAB.
In addition to the books of the Hebrew Bible themselves, reading is required from Joseph Blenkinsopp, A History of Prophecy in Israel (revised edition, also required in HB 3), William Holladay, The Psalms through Three Thousand Years, and James Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom: an Introduction (second edition). A suggested reading schedule is provided below. It is advisable to have read the material concerning the book(s) under study prior to the day we discuss it/them in class. You will find pacing yourself useful as exam times draw near.
Although not required reading, the articles in the Anchor Bible Dictionary make good supplements to the textbooks in this class, especially for books which are not covered in Crenshaw. Students in the past have found books on the techniques of Hebrew Poetry to be useful (see the select bibliography below for some suggested titles).
Please note: I do not "lecture from the book." These sources are intended to be supplemental information to issues discussed in class, for your own personal development.
Additionally, these new sources may be extremely useful:
| A. K. M. Adam, | Handbook of Postmodern Biblical Interpretation is a very useful roadmap to the sometimes perplexing methods applied to biblical study; |
| R. N. Soulen, , | Handbook of Biblical Criticism a very useful dictionary of exegetical terms, suggested in HB 2 and 3, is now in a third edition which will be invaluable for your exegetical papers. |
Although not required reading, the articles in the Anchor Bible Dictionary make good supplements to the textbooks in this class, especially for books which are not covered in Blenkinsopp and/or Crenshaw. Students in the past have found books on the techniques of Hebrew Poetry to be useful (see the select bibliography below for some suggested titles).
Two elements count towards your grade: an exegetical paper and a final take-home exam.
The final exam will be handed out Friday, 7 December, and is due Friday, 14 December. It will be due at the beginning of class time on that days. The exam will include a short identification section and an essay section. There will be some choice involved in which essay questions you will write. One stipulation for these examinations is that you work on them with no one else. The exam is worth one half of your grade (100 points). No late exams will be accepted. Although the take-home, open-book format is intended to reduce the pressure of an in-class exam, the exam must be treated seriously. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE EXAMS! Since you will have one week to work on the exam, if it is not handed in at the time specified, you will receive a zero on the exam. You cannot pass the course with a zero on the exam.
The exegetical paper is to be done on a passage of your own choosing from any Hebrew Bible book except Psalms. The suggested pericope size is 5-10 verses. Your proposal must be submitted to me, in writing, by Monday, 1 October. The exegetical paper must be submitted by Wednesday, 21 November. This is a time-consuming exercise, so it is essential to PACE YOURSELF. An exegetical paper cannot be written the night before it is due, or even within a week -- begin work on it now. Grade reduction of 3 points per day will be given on late papers.
The paper should be typed/computer-printed and should be 15-20 pages. Papers over 25 pages will not be accepted. Footnotes must follow the form set out in the Handout. The paper should have at least 10 sources, including at least one periodical article. Old Testament introductions and Bible versions do not count as one of these 10 sources. This paper is worth half of your grade (100 points). For further details consult the handout "HOW TO WRITE HEBREW BIBLE EXEGETICAL PAPERS".
The secondary literature on these books is immense. Listed below are some noteworthy titles which are recent, and some which have stood the test of time.
Ackerman, Susan, Under Every Green Tree: Popular Religion in Sixth Century Judah
Alter, Robert, The Art of Biblical Poetry
Blenkinsopp, Joseph, Wisdom and Law in the Old Testament
Brichto, Herbert, Toward a Grammar of Biblical Poetics
Brueggemann, Walter, Israel's Praise: Doxology against Idolatry and Ideology
-------, The Message of the Psalms
-------, The Prophetic Imagination
Clements, Ronald, Wisdom for a Changing World
-------, Wisdom in Theology
Cox, Durmot, The Psalms in the Life of God's People
-------, Triumph of Impotence: Job and the Tradition of the Absurd
Crenshaw, James, Prophetic Conflict: Its Effect upon Israelite Religion
Davidson, Robert, The Courage to Doubt: Exploring an Old Testament Theme
Dobbs-Allsopp. F., Weep, O Daughter of Zion: A Study of the City-Lament Genre
Doukhan, Jacques, Daniel: The Vision of the End
Ellul, Jacques, Reason for Being: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes
Eskenazi, Tamara, In an Age of Prose: A Literary Approach to Ezra-Nehemiah
Falk, Marcia, Love Lyrics in the Bible
-------, The Song of Songs: A New Translation and Interpretation
Fewell, Danna, Circle of Sovereignty: Plotting Politics in the Book of Daniel
Fisch, Harold, Poetry with a Purpose
Follis, Elaine R. Directions in Biblical Hebrew Poetry
Fox, Michael V. Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther
-------, Qohelet and his Contradictions
-------, The Redaction of the Books of Esther
-------, The Song of Songs and the Ancient Egyptian Love Songs
Gordis, Robert, The Book of God and Man: A Study of Job
Graham, W. C., The Prophets and Israel's Culture
Gunkel, Hermann, The Psalms: A Form-Critical Introduction
Hanson, Paul, The Dawn of Apocalyptic
Handy, Lowell, Entertaining Faith: Reading Short Stories in the Bible recommended
Harris, Scott, Proverbs 1 - 9
Heschel, Abraham, The Prophets, 2 volumes: recommended
Hoglund, Kenneth, Achaemenid Imperial Administration in Syria-Palestine and the Missions of Ezra and Nehemiah
-------, The Listening Heart: Essays in Wisdom and the Psalms
Hyatt, Philip, Prophetic Religion
Jemielty, T., Satire and the Hebrew Prophets
Johnson, A. R., The Cultic Prophet in Ancient Israel
Keel, Othmar, The Symbolism of the Biblical World
Koch, Klaus, The Prophets, 2 volumes
Kugel, James L., The Idea of Biblical Poetry: Parallelism and Its Historyrecommended
LaCocque, Andr, The Book of Daniel
-------, Daniel in his Time
Lang, Bernhard, Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs
Lindblom, J., Prophecy in Ancient Israel
McCann, J. Clinton, A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms
-------, The Shape and Shaping of the Psalter
Michel, W., Job in the Light of Northwest Semitic
Miller, Patrick D., Interpreting the Psalms
Morgan, Donn F., Between Text and Community: The "Writings" in Canonical Interpretation
Mowinckel, Sigmund, Prophecy and Tradition
Mullen, E. Theodore, Narrative History and Ethnic Boundaries
Murphy, Roland E., The Tree of Life
-------, Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Canticles, Eccleiastes, and Esther
Noth, Martin, The Chronicler's History
Ogden, G., Qoheleth. Readings
Overholt, T. W., Channels of Prophecy: The Social Dynamics of Prophetic Activity
Paterson, John, The Praise of Israel
Perdue, L., Wisdom and Cult
Perdue, L. and W. C. Gilpin, The Voice from the Whirlwind: Interpreting the Book of Job
Perdue, L., B. B. Scott, and W. J. Wiseman, In Search of Wisdom
von Rad, Gerhard, The Message of the Prophets
-------, Wisdom in Israel
Rodd, C. S., The Book of Job
Rowley, H. H., (ed.), Studies in Old Testament Prophecy
Sandelin, Karl-Gustav, Wisdom as Nourisher
Sawyer, J. F. A., Prophecy and the Prophets of the Old Testament
Seybold, Klaus, Introducing the Psalms
Skehan, Patrick, Studies in Israelite Poetry and Wisdom
Snell, Daniel, Twice Told Proverbs and the Composition of the Book of Proverbs
Vawter, Bruce, The Conscience of Israel: Pre-exilic Prophets and Prophecy
Walsh, Carey, Exquisite Desire: Religion, the Erotic, and the Song of Songs
Watson, Wilfred G. E., Classical Hebrew Poetry: A Guide to its Techniques
Westermann, Claus, Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech
-------, Lamentations: Issues and Interpretation
-------, The Psalms: Structure, Content, and Message
-------, The Structure of the Book of Job
Wolfers, David, Deep Things out of Darkness
Yamauchi, Edwin, Persia and the Bible
Zimmerli, Walter, The Servant of God
This bibliography could be expanded considerably; however, these books should serve as a good starting-place for further investigation. See also the commentaries on individual books. The following commentary series are especially useful: Anchor Bible, Hermeneia, International Critical Commentaries, New Century Bible Commentaries, Old Testament Library, Word Bible Commentaries.
Three further perennially useful sources are the Anchor Bible Dictionary (ABD), the Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (IDB), and the Oxford Companion to the Bible (OCB). All students of Scripture should become familiar with them.
REMEMBER: There is no substitute for curiosity! If you see a book in the library on a topic of investigation which appears interesting, look it over!
Tuesday 4 September
Introduction to the Course
Wesnesday 5 September
Hebrew Poetry
Focus:
With the move from the "historical books" into the "prophetic books" we move into the world of Hebrew poetry. This poetic writing is very different than European or American poetry, and it bears on our understanding of the message of many of the prophetic books and the Writings.
Friday 7 September
8th Century Prophecy 1
Focus:
Elijah was succeeded by Elisha and the dynasty of Omri was purged by Jehu. The antagonism between Israel and Judah led to the Syro-Ephraimite Crisis which saw the rise of Amos, Hosea, Isaiah of Jerusalem, and Micah in a short period of time. Israel subsequently fell to Assyria and the exile of the northern kingdom began. This session will focus on Amos.
Read: Amos; Blenkinsopp 65-82.
Monday 10 September
NO CLASS - All Seminary Faculty Meeting in Illinois
Wesnesday 12 September
8th Century Prophecy 2
Focus:
Hosea was the prophet to the northern kingdom during its last days. His message and his life were deeply entwined as he tried to warn the people of Israel of the impending danger.
Read: Hosea; Blenkinsopp 82-91.
Friday 14 September
8th Century Prophecy 3
Focus:
Contemporary with Isaiah, Micah took up the call to social justice in crisis-ridden Judah. The person and prophecy of Micah will be considered.
Read: Micah; Blenkinsopp 91-97.
Monday 17 September
8th Century Prophecy 4
Focus:
Isaiah was a major source of consolation for Hezekiah during the troubling times of Assyrian expansion. This class will be an initial investigation into the life and ministry of Isaiah of Jerusalem.
Read: Isaiah 1-12; Blenkinsopp 97-110.
Wesnesday 19 September
8th Century Prophecy 5
Focus:
A continuation of our discussion of Isaiah, relating his prophecies to early Christian interpretations of these prophecies.
Read:Isaiah 13-39.
Friday 21 September
The Rise of Babylon and Fall of Judah
Focus:
When the Assyrian crisis had passed Josiah had a brief respite to attempt reform in Judah. After his premature death, Babylonia was on the rise. This led to a second period of prophetic flowering in Judah. Among the prophets of this period were Nahum and Habakkuk, to whom we turn today.
Read: Nahum; Habakkuk; Blenkinsopp 111-129.
Monday 24 September
7th-6th Century Prophecy 1
Focus:
Several further prophets appeared during the final days of Judah. Noteworthy among them was Jeremiah. He (and his contemporary Ezekiel) lived through the end of the state of Judah. Today we will begin our examination of the life of the prophet.
Read: Jeremiah.
Wesnesday 26 September
NO CLASS -- Annual Retreat
Friday 28 September
NO CLASS -- Work Crew Day
Monday 1 October
7th-6th Century Prophecy 2
Focus:
The themes of Jeremiah's prophecies will continue to be the topic of this session.
Read: Blenkinsopp 129-147. EXEGESIS PERICOPES DUE.
Wesnesday 3 October
7th-6th Century Prophecy 3
Focus:
In addition to Jeremiah's ministry, Obadiah and Zephaniah also apparently became active during the final days of Judah. Their books will be explored today
Read:
Friday 5 October
7th-6th Century Prophecy 4
Focus:
Carried away in the first exile of Judah, Ezekiel began his ministry in Babylonia. His prophetic career marks the beginnings of the turn from classical prophetic to apocalyptic thought.
Read: Ezekiel.
Monday 8 October
7th-6th Century Prophecy 5
Focus:
This session will be a continuation of the discussion of the unusual life and prophecy of Ezekiel.
Read: Blenkinsopp 165-180.
Wesnesday 10 October
The Exilic Prophets
Focus:
Prophecy did not end with the exile of Judah. One of the more notable prophets of this period was the author of Isaiah 40-55(66). The message of this prophet was one of consolation for the exiles
Read: Isaiah 40-66; Blenkinsopp 181-193.
Friday 12 October
The Post-Exilic Prophets 1
Focus:
The Persian overthrow of Babylonia led to a new era of foreign relationships for Israel. The Persians allowed exiles peoples to return to their native lands. Among them were the prophets Haggai and Zechariah who preached on restoration themes.
Read: Haggai; Zechariah.
Monday 15 October
The Post-Exilic Prophets 2
Focus:
Although difficult to date, the books of Joel and Malachi seem to fall into the Post-exilic period. Their messages move toward a focus on a future when God will deliver the chosen people from various troubles.
Read: Joel; Malachi; Blenkinsopp 194-239.
Wednesday 17 October
A Prophetic Story - Jonah
Focus:
Although the prophet Jonah likely lived much earlier during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel, the story about him in the book of Jonah was a later composition. As a unique book among the prophets, it receives special attention here.
Read: Jonah; Blenkinsopp 240-245.
Friday 19 October
Introduction to the Writings; Psalms 1
Focus:
The Writings are the most divergent section of the Hebrew Bible, encompassing literature of several varieties and of very different character. The first book to be considered within this section of the Bible is Psalms.
Monday 22 October
Psalms 2
Focus:
A further exploration into the book of Psalms will be the topic under discussion for today.
Read: Psalms 1-50; Holladay 1-53.
Wednesday 24 October
Psalms 3
Focus:
The Psalms represent many different types, or genres. Today the focus will be on these differing literary types and their significance. Representative Psalms of the various literary types will be selectively explored.
Read: Psalms 51-100; Holladay 54-91.
Friday 26 October
NO CLASS -- Convocation
Monday 29 October
Psalms 4
Focus:
In addition to many genres, the Psalms also encompass many themes. Some of the major Psalms themes will be examined, along with representative Psalms to illustrate those themes.
Read: Psalms 101-150; Holladay 95-160.
Wednesday 31 October
Wisdom Literature
Focus:
One of the influential schools of thought present in the Hebrew Bible, as well as in the surrounding world, was that of Wisdom. The sages left behind many provocative writings, of which three major works are included in the Writings: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. In the Deuterocanonical works, Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon fall into this category. Today the class will consider the background and characteristics of the Wisdom school, which are represented in this literature.
Read:Crenshaw 1-54.
Friday 2 November
Proverbs 1
Focus:
Proverbs is the only example of normative wisdom writing in the Hebrew Bible. It presents an optimistic view of what the search for wisdom may accomplish, and it encourages such a search for all who are wise enough to see the hidden meaning behind things. The general trends and composition of the book will be studied.
Read:Proverbs.
Monday 5 November
Proverbs 2
Focus:
Further consideration will be given to the book of Proverbs in this session.
Read: Crenshaw 55-88.
Wednesday 7 November
Job 1
Focus:
The book of Job is a book in the Wisdom tradition which reflects a crisis in normative Wisdom thinking. The question of the righteous who suffer is addressed at length in this book, which makes it either dearly loved or despised by its readers. Today the background and basic tenets of the book will be considered.
Read: Job.
Friday 9 November
Job 2
Focus:
After considering the background to the book, the thought behind the discourses of the main body of the book will be explored in some detail. A book not easily understood at first glance, the line of the arguments will be explored and the resolution of the book will be examined.
Read:Crenshaw 89-115.
Monday 12 November
Ecclesiastes
Focus:
Like Job, Ecclesiastes represents Wisdom in crisis. The author of the book asks hard questions about the nature of things and the ability of human Wisdom truly to understand. Consideration will be given to this perspective which is unique to the Bible.
Read:Ecclesiastes; Crenshaw 116-39.
Wednesday 14 November
Song of Songs
Focus:
Unique among biblical books, Song celebrates the divinely-given gift of love. Frequently misunderstood and often interpreted in allegorical ways, the Song has remained one of the most controversial books of the Hebrew Bible, but also one of the most appreciated.
Read: Song.
Friday 16 November
NO CLASS -- Dr. Wiggins attending the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting in Denver
Monday 19 November
NO CLASS -- Dr. Wiggins attending the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting in Denver
Wednesday 21 November
Lamentations
Focus:
The fall of Jerusalem is mourned in this brief set of five psalms lamenting this event. Their focus and arrangement are sometimes difficult to discern for Christian readers of the book, thus it deserves consideration in its own right.
Read: Lamentations. EXEGETICAL PAPERS DUE
Friday 23 November
NO CLASS -- Thanksgiving Break
Monday 26 November
Ruth
Focus:
Included among the former prophets in the Septuagint, Ruth is one of the five scrolls, or megillot, of the Hebrew Bible. This short story conveys an important message to the community of its time, and represents the first of several books which defy easy classification
Read: Ruth.
Wednesday 28 November
Persian Period
Focus:
The Persian empire superseded that of the Babylonians, and actually provides useful background to many of the remaining Writings. This time represented a return to Palestine for some and a settling down in a foreign land for others. It was probably a formative period in the writing of the Hebrew Bible as well. Before exploring the remainder of the Writings, this crucial historical background will be examined.
Friday 30 November
Esther
Focus:
Set in the period of the Persian Empire, the book of Esther explores how certain disaster may be reversed through determination and loyalty to the ways of the Jews. This book, which explains how the feast of Purim originated, demonstrates how foreigners can also be part of the divine plan.
Read:Esther.
Monday 3 December
Daniel
Focus:
The only book containing true apocalyptic in the Hebrew Bible, Daniel stands out as unique among the Writings. Apocalypticism, as a development out of prophecy will be examined, then its application in the book of Daniel will be studied.
Read: Daniel.
Wednesday 5 December
Nehemiah
Focus:
Originally one book in the Hebrew Bible, Ezra-Nehemiah narrate the story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the reestablishment of the Torah. The book of Nehemiah will be examined as the basis of our knowledge of what was happening at Jerusalem following the end of the Exile.
Read: Nehemiah.
Friday 7 December
Ezra
Focus:
One of the most difficult issues to decipher with Ezra is the his relationship with Nehemiah. Ezra nevertheless stands as a benchmark figure in the Hebrew Bible, and is later considered as a kind of second Moses.
Read: Ezra. FINAL EXAMS DISTRIBUTED
Monday 10 December
Chronicles
Focus:
If read in the Septuagint order immediately after Kings, Chronicles appears to be largely a repetition of the monarchical period. Chronicles, however, has very distinct differences in outlook from Kings. It will be considered how the passage of time caused a reevaluation of that history as reflected in these books.
Read: Chronicles.
Wednesday 12 December
Deuterocanonical Books 1
Focus:
Considered inspired but to a lesser degree than the other books of the Bible, the Deuterocanonical Books form a class of their own. A brief survey of these books will be provided with the hope of pointing students in the directions they need to go to learn more about them.
Read: The Deuterocanonical Books
Friday 14 December
Deuterocanonical Books 2
Focus:
Focus: This final session will include a consideration of the remaining Deuterocanonical books which have not been covered.
FINAL EXAMS DUE
The above schedule, policies, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances or by mutual agreement between the instructor and the students.
Click to view Handout List.
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This page was last modified on 23 August 2001.