1: Introduction to the Hebrew Language
- History and Development of Biblical Hebrew
- Overview of ancient Semitic languages
- Historical context of Biblical Hebrew in the Old Testament
- Hebrew scripts: Paleo-Hebrew vs. Square Script
- The Hebrew Alphabet
- Introduction to the 22 consonants
- Writing and pronunciation of each letter
- Final forms of letters (sofit letters)
- Practice with basic vocabulary
2: Hebrew Vowels and Pronunciation
- The Tiberian Vowel System
- Overview of short, long, and reduced vowels
- Reading with vowels (nikkud)
- Syllable structure and rules for pronunciation
- Accent marks and their role in pronunciation
3: Nouns and Gender
- Gender of Nouns
- Masculine and feminine forms
- Common endings and patterns
- Irregular nouns and exceptions
- Number
- Singular, dual, and plural forms
- Construct forms of plural nouns
4: Noun Declensions and the Construct State
- Declension of Nouns
- Construct state vs. absolute state
- Declension patterns for singular, dual, and plural nouns
- The Construct Chain (סְמִיכוּת)
- The relationship between nouns in a chain
- Translation and interpretation of construct chains
5: Pronouns and Pronominal Suffixes
- Personal Pronouns
- Independent pronouns (singular and plural forms)
- Use in sentences and narratives
- Pronominal Suffixes
- Attaching suffixes to nouns, prepositions, and verbs
- Possessive forms and object markers
6: The Hebrew Verb System
- Verb Roots (שֹׁרָשִׁים)
- Introduction to the root system (three-letter roots)
- Patterns of roots and their meanings
- The Seven Binyanim (בִּנְיָנִים)
- Overview of each binyan and its basic meaning:
- Qal (simple active)
- Niphal (simple passive or reflexive)
- Piel (intensive active)
- Pual (intensive passive)
- Hiphil (causative active)
- Hophal (causative passive)
- Hithpael (intensive reflexive)
- Conjugation and translation practice in each stem
7: Verb Conjugations – Perfect and Imperfect
- The Perfect (Past Tense)
- Form and function of perfect verbs
- Conjugation patterns across different binyanim
- Examples and translation practice
- The Imperfect (Future Tense)
- Form and function of imperfect verbs
- Conjugation patterns across different binyanim
- Examples and translation practice
8: The Imperative, Infinitive, and Participle Forms
- Imperative Forms
- Command forms in various binyanim
- Positive and negative commands
- Infinitives
- Infinitive construct vs. infinitive absolute
- Function and translation of infinitives in sentences
- Participles
- Formation and function as verbal adjectives
- Use of participles in active and passive voices
9: Prepositions and Particles
- Basic Prepositions
- Prepositions as independent words and attached with suffixes
- Translation and usage of common prepositions
- Particles and Conjunctions
- Importance of particles like ו (and), כ (like), and others
- Function and meaning of conjunctions and other particles
10: Syntax and Sentence Structure
- Basic Hebrew Sentence Structure
- Word order in nominal and verbal sentences
- Clauses and connecting words
- Syntax of Biblical Narrative and Poetry
- Key features of biblical narrative style
- Unique aspects of Hebrew poetry: parallelism, chiasm, etc.
11: Lexical Semantics and Word Studies
- Roots and Derived Words
- How meaning is derived from root words
- Word families and related words
- Semantic Range and Lexical Study
- Understanding the range of meaning for key words
- Tools for conducting lexical studies
12: Reading Comprehension and Translation Practice
- Reading from Selected Texts
- Practice with prose texts (Genesis, Exodus, 1 Samuel)
- Practice with poetic texts (Psalms, Proverbs)
- Translation Techniques
- Analyzing context, grammar, and syntax for accurate translation
- Literal vs. interpretative translation approaches
13: Textual Criticism and Manuscript Analysis
- Introduction to Biblical Manuscripts
- Key manuscripts: Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, Masoretic Text
- Understanding textual variants
- Critical Apparatus and Textual Analysis
- Use of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS) apparatus
- Evaluating variant readings and their implications
14: Biblical Interpretation and Theology
- Applying Language Knowledge to Exegesis
- Analyzing word meaning in context
- Applying grammar and syntax for theological insights
- Hermeneutical Principles
- How understanding Hebrew shapes interpretation
- Cultural and theological nuances in Hebrew terms and phrases
This syllabus provides a structured approach to learning Biblical Hebrew, beginning with foundational elements and moving into intermediate and advanced topics. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the language for effective translation, interpretation, and theological study of the Hebrew Bible.
