Course: Exegesis of the Old Testament

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Course title Exegesis of the Old Testament
Course code KFI/KESZ
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction unspecified
Work placements unspecified
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Ber Viktor, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
- hermeneutics and theory of biblical exegesis - steps in the process of biblical exegesis (choosing a text for exegesis, tentative translation and first linguistic, literary and theological observations, textual criticism of the text, lexical, syntactic and macrosyntactic analysis, narrative analysis and poetics, historical-critical questions to the text, history of the interpretation of the passage, theological analysis and observations from the history of religion/comparative religion science, from exegesis to the application (preaching, teaching, publishing on the passage) - exegesis of narrative texts - introduction to exegesis of Old Testament prophecy, wisdom and poetry - introduction to exegesis of Old Testament legal texts.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Work with text (with textbook, with book)
Learning outcomes
A competence to interpret Old Testament texts in Hebrew.
The students will acquire competence in using basic methods in interpretation of biblical texts, they will be able to use standard tools for biblical exegesis for their independent work, understand historical and theological background of Old Testament texts, understand importance of Old Testament texts for the life of people and the church today.
Prerequisites
The course is based on student's ability to work with the Hebrew text of the Bible and to consider the ancient versions, especially the Greek text of Septuagint. Knowledge of Hebrew is assumed to on the level of Hebrew 1 and Hebrew 2 as they are taught at the Faculty. At least basic knowledge of Greek is assumed, so that the student is able to consider the textual variants. The course assumes basic orientation in the books of the Old Testament on the level Old Testament (Introduction) 1 and 2. It is possible to a certain extent to acquire this knowledge through the self-study during the course (e.g. with the textbook of Rolf Rendtorff, The Old Testament: An Introduction, or its equivalent).

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Seminar work

1. Oral examination on the knowledge gained during the lectures and personal study (understanding of main exegetical approaches and methods), presentation of the completed exegetical paper (see below, 3). 2. Continual work on assigned biblical texts and handouts, i. e. translation of the Hebrew texts, preparation of notes and observations on the biblical texts and on the handouts - will be checked online, via e-mail etc. 3. Exegetical paper based on the steps of exegesis as presented during the lectures. 4. The students are also encouraged to reread and deepen the texts in such a way that they gain personal insight into the message of the Bible.
Recommended literature
  • standardní komentáře k biblickým knihám (řady Word Biblical Commentary apod.).
  • standardní referenční práce ke studiu biblické hebrejštiny.
  • Barton, J. Reading the Old Testament. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.
  • BIELA, Adriána - SCHÖN, Richard - BADURA, Ján. Jednota v mnohosti. Bratislava, 2012. ISBN 978-80-88827-43-6.
  • Chalupa, P. Královna Ester. Svitavy, 1999. ISBN 80-86036-26-X.
  • Oeming, Manfred; Čapek, Filip. Úvod do biblické hermeneutiky : cesty k pochopení textu. Vyd. 1. Praha : Vyšehrad, 2001. ISBN 80-7021-518-6.
  • Papežská biblická komise. Výklad Bible v církvi (1993). Kostelní Vydří, 2007. ISBN 978-80-7195-133-9.
  • Papežská biblická komise. Výklad Bible v církvi. Kostelní Vydří, 2007.
  • Stuart, D. Old Testament exegesis: a primer for students and pastors. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1980.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Theology Study plan (Version): Theology (2012) Category: Philosophy, theology 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter