The lecture at first attempts to offer an overview of the histories. This is followed by the dilation of the topic concerned with the role of history in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, the histories in their ancient Near Eastern context, the histories as literary texts, as historical documents and as part of a larger story. The relationship between the histories, theology and ethics is also touched upon. The second part of the lecture focuses upon introducing the beginnings of Israelite prophecy and the way in which it is intertwined with history. It is evident that the so-called books of the Former Prophets, as they are called in the Jewish canon, and/or historical ones, as they are known in the Christian canon, present the early history of prophecy and write the national history in light of theological and prophetic preoccupation.
Introduction to the Old Testament II
The main objectives of this course are to supply an all-embracing introduction, presentation and summary of the content of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible. This objective will be achieved through the employment of the various books of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible as primary sources. While the course takes a textual-based approach as regards to the accounts, history and literature of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible, time will be allocated for questions and facts of theological, ethical and sociological nature. The goal is also to facilitate engagement with the most important scriptural facts, which at first sight cause difficulty to the modern and/or postmodern student/reader.
The specific objective of this course is to introduce the student into the Hungarian text and content of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible by means of summarising presentations, section by section and chapter by chapter. Topics to be tackled include the conquest and monarchic traditions, the message of the former prophets, the place and relevance of poetic and wisdom texts, and the exilic and post-exilic periods. The course homes in on the interpretative enterprise en ensemble, which subsumes comprehensive knowledge about the authors and historical background of the individual books of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible and its wider cultural milieu in the ancient Near East. Theological facets of these ancient works are also explored, shifting from the theoretical issues to the more practical matters of daily life and experience. This course does not presume any special degree of competence in terms of the content of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible on the part of the student. The student with erstwhile knowledge of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible will experience this course to be advantageous but those who lack such an acquaintance will not be at disadvantage.
Competences
Specific competences
By means of this course, the student will acquire a solid scriptural working knowledge of the historical books and poetic literature of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. More specifically the student will:- be able to relate the structure and content of the development of the canon of the historical and poetic books.
- be educated on a medium level in the subject area of bibliology and textual history;
- use extra-biblical texts in relation to the historical books and poetic literature;
- recite verbatim the Bible verses specified on the Selected Bible Verses Sheet supplied by the lecturer at the beginning of the course from one of the Hungarian translations of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, which verses have been opted for on the basis of their relevance for Christian theology.
General competences
The student’s ability to work in a team will be improved, just as his/her oral or writing skills, respect and also development of professional thinking and ethics, proficiency to solve questions pertaining to the content of the Hungarian text of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. The student will also gain some expertise in recognizing and respecting cultural and ethnic diversity present in the relevant ancient texts. It is hoped that the student will acquire a great deal of initiative spirit in terms of theological thinking and future homiletical practice, thus nurturing a constant openness in order to discover the minute details of the content of the Hungarian text of the Bible.Course structure
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Introduction to the Books of the Former Prophets and/or Historical Books: The History of Israel’s Nationhood and the Beginnings of Israelite Prophecy
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Joshua the Conqueror and the Allotment of the Land of Canaan. Judges and Ruth: Israel’s Moral Crisis
At its onset, the lecture seeks to present the four major units of the book of Joshua, namely the crossing into Canaan (1,1-8,35), further victories (9,1-12,24), the allotment of the Promised Land (13,1-21,45) and conclusion (22,1-24,33). Further topics to be discussed include: the link between archaeology and the book of Joshua, the bearing of the Amarna Letters and the Merneptah Stele on the book of Joshua, the concept of devoted things (ḥerem) and Achan’s sin, Joshua 1-12, the nations of Canaan, ancient near eastern conquest accounts, and the concept of the land that remains and the historicity of the capture of Jericho and Ai. Key themes are also elaborated in some detail. In what follows, the content of the book of Judges is surveyed by focusing on the two major blocks of the book, that is the introduction to the period of the rise of judges (1,1-3,6) and narratives concerned with the judges of Israel (17,1-21,25). Further topics to be discussed include: the vow of Jephtah and narrative technique and the message of Judges 19. Key themes are also mentioned. The third part of the lecture explores the book of Ruth. Further topics to be discussed include: widows in Ancient Israel and the role of women in the book. Finally, the lecture also addresses the key themes that are to be found in it.
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First and Second Samuel: Prophecy, Kingship, the Beginnings of the Monarchy in Ancient Israel, the Rise and Demise of the Saulide Dynasty and the Rise of the Davidic Dynasty
The lecture endeavours to offer an informative elaboration as to the rise of Israelite prophecy in the person of Moses, its development and character in the person of Samuel and its interrelationship with the understanding and interpretation of Israelite national history. The Shilohaite sanctuary theology and the Elide priestly clan are also touched upon, with a specific focus on the Ark of the Covenant accounts. The beginnings of Israelite kingship and its monarchic institution is also addressed, with a particular focus on the Saulide and Davidic Dynasties. Further topics to be discussed include: the evil spirit of God, Saul’s séance, Abner’s death and possible inscriptional references to David (Tel Dan Stela, Moabite Stone and Mesha Stela and Sheshonq’s topographical list). The lecture concludes with the exploration of key themes in the books of Samuel.
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First Kings: The Continuance of the Prophetic Movement, the Glory of Solomon and the Beginning of the End
The lecture focuses on presenting the content of First Kings in terms of its specific interest in the Israelite prophetic movement, culminating in the person of prophet Elijah, the early successes of the Davidic Dynasty culminating in the building of the Jerusalemite Temple and the early signs of the demise of the dynasty in question. Further topics and questions to be discussed include: the glory of Solomon was a fact or fiction and regnal formulae in Kings. The lecture terminates by locating key themes in the book.
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Second Kings: The Continuance of the Prophetic Movement, and the End of National Israel and its Royal Dynasties
The lecture continues to direct its spotlight upon the prophetic movement whereby the aim is to zoom in on the person and work of prophet Elijah but equally seeks to understand the reasons, which lead to the floundering of the Davidic dynasty and that of its northern counterparts. Further topics to be discussed include: the boys and the bears and Sennacherib and Jerusalem. The lecture pinpoints the key themes of the book as well.
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First and Second Chronicles: A Backward Glance
The lecture investigates the content of the book of Chronicles by means of a threefold division, namely from Adam to the restoration from Babylon (1 Chron 1,1-9,44), the reigns of David and Solomon (1 Chron 10,1-2 Chron 9,31) and from Rehoboam to the restoration from Babylon. Key themes and the place of the book in the canon are also probed.
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Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther: The Age to Rebuild
The first part of the lecture looks into the content of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah by following a structural outline, which encompasses both books: return from exile and rebuilding of the Jerusalemite Temple (Ezra 1,1-6,22), the components of Ezra’s mission (Torah/torah, Temple and the issue of mixed marriages: 7,1-10,44), rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 1,1-7,73a), covenant renewal (7,73b-10,39) and the dedication of walls and further reforms (11,1-13,31). Further topics to be discussed include: the identity of the people of the land, mixed marriages, enslavement in Israel and the purpose of the unevenness between the two books, did the Chronicler write Ezra-Nehemiah. Key themes in both biblical books are also addressed. The second part of the book brings another exilic book in the limelight, specifically that of Esther. Succeeding this is an outline of the structure, content and literary features of the book, all major characters receive a special attention alongside with an elucidation of the genesis of the Purim feast. Further topics and questions to be discussed include: were Esther and Mordecai compromisers or loyal Jews, the Greek text of Esther and comedy in the Bible. The presentation of key themes is also among the issues tackled.
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Introduction to the Poetical Books and the Wisdom Literature: The Lyric Theatre and the Wisdom Agora of Ancient Israel
The lecture strives to proffer an introduction to the poetical and/or wisdom books of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Within the introduction, first of all the characteristics of Israelite poetry are being discussed, such as verse, strophe, stanza, metre, parallelism, chiasm, acrostics and the like. Ugaritic parallels are also made note of. In terms of wisdom literature the specific character of ancient Israelite and ancient near eastern lore are both being outlined and presented. Further topics to be discussed include: O’Connor’s constraints, Hebrew and Ugaritic poetry, wisdom schools in ancient Israel, wisdom influence in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom texts.
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Job: Israel’s Quest for Theodicy
The lecture commences with a structural overview of the book followed by specific treatments of the following sections of it: the prologue, the speeches of Job and his friends, the Elihu speeches, God’s speeches and the responses of Job and the epilogue. Special attention is paid to the issues concerning the composition of the book, the text and language of the book, the date and authorship, ancient near eastern literature comparable to Job, the book as literature and its message. Within the bourn of this final feature, such aspects are being tackled as: grounds for courage in the face of the mystery of suffering, suffering can deepen the knowledge about God, valuing God’s presence for its own sake, the redemption of God, a challenge to human understanding and reader-response reading of the book of Job. Further topics to be discussed include: the Satan, the Satan’s challenge, suffering as educative, quotations in Job, Job as a translation, words as speech acts, piety and prosperity.
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Psalms: The Songbook of Ancient Israel (I)
The lecture commences with a discussion of the authors of the psalms and the various types of psalms, such as: hymns, laments, songs of thanksgiving, royal psalms, messianic psalms, imprecatory psalms, psalms of confidence, wisdom psalms and other minor types. This is ensued by a presentation of the place of psalms in the worship of ancient Israel, of the psalm headings, the structure, growth and nature of the book of Psalms. Further topics to be discussed include: the historical headings in the book of Psalms, the psalms and music.
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Psalms: The Songbook of Ancient Israel (II)
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Proverbs: Israel’s Quest for Wisdom, Discernment and Daily Conduct Strategy
The lecture starts by presenting the overall structure of the book and the literary forms that are to be found in it, such as: instruction, wisdom sentence, poems, number sayings, better than proverbs, macarisms, and other stylistic and literary forms. This is followed by a thematic study of words, which includes such terms as: the liar, the whisperer, the gossip, the flatterer, the scoffer, the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the fool, the wise use of words and the helpful use of words. Further topics to be discussed include: the compilation of the book of Proverbs, the arrangement of the sentences, Amenemope and Prov 22,17-24,22 and woman wisdom in Proverbs. Within the theology of the book, such aspects are examined as: the fear of the Lord, wisdom and creation and reward and retribution. Further topics to be discussed include: the meaning of mashal, contradictory proverbs and the nature of proverbs.
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Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes and Canticles/Song of Songs: The Quest for Meaning and Love in Ancient Israel
The lecture commences with an outline of the structure, followed by the identification as to the person of Qoheleth and his relationship with the book. Further topics to be discussed include: literary forms, genre, influences on the book, Qoheleth a pessimist, sceptic or preacher of joy. The presentation of the book concludes with the examination of such theological themes as: God, God’s relationship to humans, wisdom and death. Further topics to be discussed include: role play and reflection on life, Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes and Ben Sirach, quotations in Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes, a Zwar-Aber Aussage analysis, Ginsberg’s and Rousseau’s structure of Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes, Rousseau’s cycles, the old house of Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes in 12,2-6, reward and punishment, Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes and the Harper’s Song from the tomb of king Intef, meaning and meaninglessness. The second half of the lecture investigates Canticles/Songs of Songs, first by attempting to identify its author, which attempt is followed by such issues as text, vocabulary and its date. The love poetry of this book is scrutinized in light of Sumerian, Akkadian, Ugaritic and Egyptian love poetry. Further topics to be discussed include: the literary forms and imagery, the structure and the interpretation of Canticles/Songs of Songs. This latter issue, subsumes the presentation of the allegorical, natural/literal, cultic and feminist interpretations. Further topics to be discussed include: dramatic interpretations of Canticles/Songs of Songs, Canticles/Songs of Songs and the garden of Eden account and jealousy. The lecture concludes with an outline of the message of the book.
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Recapitulation
By this stage the students should have read the following biblically related novel in Hungarian, namely the fourth volume of Thomas Mann’s tetralogy, Joseph, der Ernährer [Joseph the Provider; József a kenyéradó]. The students are also expected to present their handwritten notes that they have prepared in the process of reading the aforementioned book and the handwritten notes that they have prepared while reading the books of the former prophets/historical books, the post-exilic historical books, the poetic and wisdom books of the Hungarian Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Furthermore, based on the knowledge accumulated from reading the abovementioned novel, the students are expected to present an essay titled: The mature Joseph and his faith in the God of the Fathers. The length of the essay ought not to be over one thousand words, excluding footnotes.
Total estimated time
Classroom study
- 2 hours/week (Course: 2 | Seminar: 0 | Practice: 0)
- 28 hours/semester (Course: 28 | Seminar: 0 | Practice: 0)
Individual study
- Time for studying course notes and bibliography: 60 hours/semester.
- Time for further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field: 28 hours/semester.
- Time for preparing essays, papers, or documentation: 8 hours/semester.
- Time for personal tutoring: 0 hours/semester.
- Total individual study: 96 hours/semester.
- Total estimated time: 124 hours/semester.
Examination
Attendance: The course relies significantly upon the material discussed in class. Therefore attendance is strongly endorsed to one’s success in the course. Reading: The student ought to read all the assigned readings for the class. If a student consistently appears to be unprepared the class participation grade will be adversely affected. The lecturer reserves the right to assign quizzes to those who obnoxiously refuse to prepare for upcoming classes. Cheating, plagiarizing, copying, etc. is not tolerated.
