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RLST 145

Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)

Undergraduate · Historical course

Fall 2006

Topics

  • The Parts of the Whole
  • The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Biblical Religion in Context
  • The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Genesis 1-4 in Context
  • Doublets and Contradictions, Seams and Sources: Genesis 5-11 and the Historical-Critical Method
  • Critical Approaches to the Bible: Introduction to Genesis 12-50
  • Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)
  • Israel in Egypt: Moses and the Beginning of Yahwism (Genesis 37- Exodus 4)
  • Exodus: From Egypt to Sinai (Exodus 5-24, 32; Numbers)
  • The Priestly Legacy: Cult and Sacrifice, Purity and Holiness in Leviticus and Numbers
  • Biblical Law: The Three Legal Corpora of JE (Exodus), P (Leviticus and Numbers) and D (Deuteronomy)
  • On the Steps of Moab: Deuteronomy
  • Midterm Exam
  • The Deuteronomistic History: Life in the Land (Joshua and Judges)
  • The Deuteronomistic History: Prophets and Kings (1 and 2 Samuel)
  • The Deuteronomistic History: Response to Catastrophe (1 and 2 Kings)
  • Hebrew Prophecy: The Non-Literary Prophets
  • Literary Prophecy: Amos
  • Literary Prophecy: Hosea and Isaiah
  • Literary Prophecy: Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum and Habbakuk
  • Literary Prophecy: Perspectives on the Exile (Jeremiah, Ezekiel and 2nd Isaiah)
  • Responses to Suffering and Evil: Lamentations and Wisdom Literature
  • Biblical Poetry: Psalms and Song of Songs
  • The Restoration: 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah
  • Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature
  • Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah

Readings

  • Berlin, Adele, and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds., Michael Fishbane, senior consulting editor. 2004. The Jewish Study Bible: Featuring the Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pritchard, James B, ed. 1958. The Ancient Near East, Volume 1: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
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Sources