BEGINNING HEBREW

Course: HB 5401
Dr. R. Kirk Kilpatrick
Office Phone: 751-3024
Email: kkilpatrick@mabts.edu

First Term, 2014-15

August 21 -- December 17, 2014
Master Degree Program

Course Description: Hebrew (5401-2) is a two-term, introductory course to the fundamentals of biblical Hebrew. The major
emphasis of the course is upon the assimilation of basic grammatical forms and vocabulary.

Course Objectives: During the course of the year the student will develop the ability to use language tools for translation and
Old Testament study, will learn how to systematically study the meaning of a Hebrew word, and will acquire a working
knowledge of the Hebrew language that includes acquiring the basic skills of translation that are an aid for translating the
Hebrew Bible at an elementary level. During the first term of language study:

1) The student will learn the Hebrew alphabet and vowel signs.
2) The student will learn how to transliterate Hebrew words into English.
3) The student will learn how to translate the basic, non-verbal parts of speech.
4) The student will study the Hebrew system of numbers.
5) The student will begin the study of the Hebrew verbal system.
6) The student will master all Qal forms of the strong verb.
7) The student will learn how to analyze and parse Hebrew verbs.
8) The student will learn how to use a Hebrew lexicon.
9) The student will learn the vocabulary words presented.

Course Textbooks:

Akers, Matthew R., R. Kirk Kilpatrick and Stephen R. Miller. A Hebrew Grammar for Students of the Bible. (Pre-pub. 2010).

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. The New Brown-Driver-Briggs [Gesenius] Hebrew and English Lexicon
with an Appendix Containing the Biblical Aramaic. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1997.
[As the student's working knowledge of Hebrew improves, a Hebrew lexicon will be required 2nd term
and a Hebrew Bible will be referred to during 1st term and required during 2nd term]

Testing and Evaluation: There will be frequent quizzes (33.3%) and two exams (33.3% each). Quizzes may only be made
up if the absence is excused as defined by the catalog. Exercises must be completed when assigned. Exercises may be taken up
and counted as a quiz grade. A translation/word-study project will begin this semester and carry over into next semester.

Attendance: Please pay special attention to the definition of excused absences in the catalog under "General Academic
regulations." A written explanation for any absence must be submitted by the next meeting to the professor. Students have a
maximum of nine absences during the course term. Three tardy marks are equal to one absence.

Late Work: Quizzes and exams may only be made up if the absence is excused. The translation/word-study project will not be
accepted after the final exam date.

Practical Missions: Please pay special attention to the Practical Missions requirements as listed in the catalog. Completion
both of your Practical Missions assignments and your personal witnessing activity are mandatory for course credit.

Office Hours: Usually the professor will be available to meet with students immediately after class. Students who need to
confer with the professor are encouraged to schedule a time through the faculty secretaries’ office.
Class Conduct:

1. All talking should stop when the bell rings. Students should be attentive to the prayer requests of other class members. Whoever
has the floor should not be interrupted whether it is the professor or a fellow student asking a question when called upon.

2. No one is to leave the classroom until the class ends unless it is an emergency.

3. Computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices may only be used for taking notes or other class related activities. Surfing the
internet, texting, tweeting, etc. are not permitted. Students who abuse this policy will not be allowed to bring such devices to class.

4. Class is not dismissed until the professor dismisses the class (even after the bell rings).

5. Students should exhibit a Christ-like attitude and demeanor at all times.

After a warning, points will be deducted from the student’s grade for violation of any of the above rules.

Grading scale (per catalog, p. 72-73)

A 97-100
A- 95-96
B+ 93-94
B 90-92
B- 87-89
C+ 84-86
C 81-83
C- 77-80
D+ 75-76
D 72-74
D- 70-71
F 69 and below

The 12-point grading scale allows a student to graduate possibly with a perfect 4.0 average. A grade point average of 2.0, however, will constitute the
lowest passing average to graduate. Anything below 2.0 will be the basis for probation/suspension purposes.
 HEBREW
HB 5401

Calendar

Week 1 Week 9
Founders Days October 14-16
August 21 Chapter 9: Prepositions
Course Introduction
Chapter 1: Consonants and Vowels
Week 10
Week 2 October 21-23
August 26-28 Chapter 10: Other Parts of Speech
Chapter 1: Consonants and Vowels
Chapter 2: Pronouncing Words Week 11
October 28- 30
Week 3 Chapter 11: The Basic Hebrew Verb
September 2-4 Introduction to BDB
Chapter 3: The Definite Article,
Inseparable Prepositions, and the
Conjunction Week 12
Chapter 4 Nouns November 4-6
Chapter 12: The Remaining Stems
Week 4
September 9-11 Week 13
Chapter 5: Adjectives
November 11-13
Chapter 13: Meaning of the Perfect, Imperfect,
Week 5 & Participles
September 16-18
Chapter 6: Number and Measure Week 14
Chapter 7: Pronouns November 18-20
Chapter 14: Infinitive and Subjunctive
Week 6 November 21--December 1
September 23-25 Thanksgiving holiday (no classes)
Chapter 7: Pronouns
Week 15
Week 7 December 2-4
September 30-October 2 Introduction to Hebrew translation & word-
Chapter 8: Pronoun Suffixes, the Sign of study Project for the second semester
the Direct Object, and the Conjunction Review
Week 8 Week 16
October 7-9 December 9-11
Review fo Translation and Review
Midterm exam
October 9-13 Fall Break December 16-17
Final Exam (see exam schedule)

The Professor reserves the right to make any necessary changes

During the semester to the information provided in this syllabus.
 Hebrew Grammars/Syntax

Bauer, Hans, and Pontus Leander. Historische Grammatik der hebräischen Sprache des Alten Testamentes.
Olms, 1991 (reprint of 1922 ed.).

Ben-David, Israel. Contextual and Pausal Forms in Biblical Hebrew: Syntax and Accentuation. Magnes, 1995.
In Hebrew.

Ben Zvi, Ehud, Maxine Hancock, and Richard Beinert. Readings in Biblical Hebrew: An Intermediate
Textbook. Yale, 1993.

Blau, Joshua. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. 2d ed. Harrassowitz, 1993.

deClaisse-Walvord, Nancy. Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Textbook. St. Louis: Chalice, 2002.

Doukhan, Jacques B. Hebrew for Theologians: A Textbook for the Study of Biblical Hebrew in Relation to
Hebrew Thinking. UPA, 1993.

Driver, S. R. A Treatise on the Use of the Tenses in Hebrew and Some Other Syntactical Questions.
2d ed. Eerdmans, 1997.

Fuller, Russell T. and Kyoungwon Choi. Invitation to Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006.

Futato, Mark D. Beginning Biblical Hebrew. Eisenbrauns, 1997.

Garrett, Duane A. and Jason S. DeRouchie. A Modern Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Nashville:
Broadman & Holan Academic, 2009.

Gesenius, W. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar. Edited and enlarged by E. Kautzsch. 2d ed. Rev. by A. E.
Cowley. Clarendon, 1910.

Gibson, J. C. L. Davidson's Introductory Hebrew Grammar: Syntax. 4th ed. T & T Clark, 1994.

Glinert, Lewis. Modern Hebrew: An Essential Grammar. Routledge, 1994.

Hebrew Tutor on CD ROM for Windows. Parsons Technology, 1994.

Joüon, Paul. Grammaire de l'Hébreu biblique. BIP, 1987 (reprint of 1923 ed.).

Joüon, Paul. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. 2 volumes. Trans. and rev. by T. Muraoka. SubBib 14/1-2.
BIP, 1991.

Kelley, Page H. Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar. Eerdmans, 1992.

Kelley, Page H., Terry L. Burden, and Timothy Crawford. A Handbook to Biblical Hebrew: An
Introductory Grammar. Eerdmans, 1994.

Kittel, Bonnie Pedrotti, Vicki Hoffer, and Rebecca Abts Wright. Biblical Hebrew: A Text and Workbook.
Yale, 1989.

Lambdin, Thomas O. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. Scribner's, 1971.

Malone, Joseph L. Tiberian Hebrew Phonology. Eisenbrauns, 1993.

Marks, John H., and Virgil M. Rogers. A Beginner's Handbook to Biblical Hebrew. Abingdon, 1958.

Martin, James D. Davidson's Introductory Hebrew Grammar. 27th ed. T & T Clark, 1993.

Meyer, Rudolf. Hebräische Grammatik: Mit einem bibliographischen Nachwort von Udo Rüterswörden. de
Gruyter, 1992.

Pérez Fernández, Miguel. An Introductory Grammar of Rabbinic Hebrew. Trans. by John Elwolde.
Brill, 1997.

Putnam, Frederic Clarke. A Cumulative Index to the Grammar and Syntax of Biblical Hebrew. Eisenbrauns,
1996.

Schneider, Wolfgang. Grammatik des Bibli-schen Hebräisch. Claudius, 1974.

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Rev. ed. Abingdon, 1995.

Siebesma, P. A. The Function of the Niph'al in Biblical Hebrew in Relationship to Other Passive-Reflexive Verbal
Stems and to the Pu'al and Hoph'al in Particular. SSN 29. Van Gorcum, 1990.

Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.

Weingreen, Jacob. A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew. 2d ed. Oxford, 1959.

Williams, Ronald. Hebrew Syntax: An Outline. Toronto, 1976.

Williams, Tyler F. An Answer Key for Biblical Hebrew: A Supplement to the Text and Workbook by Bonnie P.
Kittel, Vicki Hoffer, and Rebecca A. Wright. Yale, 1996.

Williamson, H. G. M. Annotated Key to Lambdin's Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. Sheffield, 1987.

 I have read and understand this syllabus for Beginning Hebrew:

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