Content

This unit engages with the Book of Genesis with exegesis of selected texts in Biblical Hebrew. Topics covered are: its major sections and unity; discussion of its historical and social context, its major theological themes; and exegesis of selected texts with consideration of artistic, historical and contemporary interpretations.

Unit code: BA3110T

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate the scholarly debates over the understanding of the book of Genesis as a whole;

2.

Exegete the Hebrew text of selected texts from Genesis with proficient knowledge of the Biblical Hebrew language

3.

Reflect theologically on the text of Genesis and relate that to other biblical studies and theological disciplines

4.

Explain the origins of various ethical and theological issues in Genesis and their implications for life and church teaching.

Unit sequence

Introduction to the Old Testament; Biblical Hebrew A and Biblical Hebrew B (or equivalent)

Pedagogy

Twelve weekly sessions. Lecture component (online or in classroom) and tutorial component on Hebrew exegesis.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Arnold, Bill T. Genesis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  • Brenner, Athalya. ed. A Feminist Companion to Genesis. Vols 1-2. Sheffield: Sheffield University Press, 1997/1998.
  • Brett, Mark G. Genesis: Procreation and the Politics of Identity. Old Testament Readings. London: Routledge, 2000.
  • Brueggemann, W. Genesis. Atlanta: John Knox, 1982.

  • Habel, Norman C. The Birth, The Curse and The Greening Of Earth: An Ecological Reading Of Genesis 1-11. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2011.
  • Hendel, Ronald S. Reading Genesis: Ten Methods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  • Van der Merwe, C. H. J, Naudé J. A, and Jan Kroeze. A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar. Second ed. Biblical Languages. London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2017.
  • Warner, Megan. Re-Imagining Abraham: A Re-Assessment of the Influence of Deuteronomism in Genesis. OTS 72. Leiden: Brill, 2018.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay of 2000 words

2000 40.0
Exegesis

Midsemester Hebrew language exegesis assignment (1000 words)

1000 20.0
Exegesis

Final Hebrew Language exegesis assignment (1000 words)

1000 20.0
Essay

Weekly text translation preparation (1000 words)

1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 27 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2019-10-09 11:09:32 +1100