BLA 500
Introduction to Biblical Languages
THE CINCINNATI BIBLE COLLEGE & SEMINARY
DANIEL J. DYKE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Spring 2000
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an extension of the basic course in hermeneutics (the science/art of interpreting
scripture). To exegete a text well, the interpreter must examine it from the perspective of its historical background, its
grammatical constructions, and the theological concerns of the original author. This course is intended to extend the student's
ability to deal with the grammatical aspects of this process.
ONLINE MATERIALS: As course materials are developed the will be placed on the Bible faculty resource website. These
will include this syllabus, handouts, bibliographies, etc. The address for the site is: www.dabar.org/index.html
Other sites of value would include:
www.biblestudytools.net
www.onlinebible.org
www.khouse.org
www.bible.org
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
Required:
- Dyke, Daniel. Course Pack for Introduction to Biblical Languages.
- The Online Bible. Florence, KY: Answers in Genesis, 1999. The student may purchase it from the publisher or
download it from http://www.onlinebible.org. The problem with the latter option is that the program is large and
requires a fast connection. If the student has a zip drive on his computer then he should use the lab computers to
download the files. My suggestion is to buy it directly from Answers in Genesis.
Optional:
- Hildebrandt, Ted. Hebrew Tutor: For Multimedia CD-ROM. Hiawatha, Iowa: Parsons Technology, 1996.
- Hildebrandt, Ted. Greek Tutor: For Multimedia CD-ROM. Hiawatha, Iowa: Parsons Technology, 1996.
- Owens, John Joseph. The Analytical Key to the Old Testament. Vols. 1-4. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996.
- Bible Works for Windows 3.5/4.0. Big Fork, Montana: Hermeneutika Bible Research Software, 1999. PC only.
(http://www.bibleworks.com/)
- Accordance Scholar's Collection w/GRAMCORD GNT & HMT. Vancouver, WA: The Gramcord Institute, 1999.
MAC only. (http://www.gramcord.org/mac/accord.htm)
- GRAMCORD GREEK NT/HEBREW MT Bundle for Windows. Vancouver, WA: The Gramcord Institute, 1999. PC
only. (http://www.gramcord.org)
- Mounce, William D. Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
- Douglas, J. D., ed. The Greek-English Interlinear New Testament. Wheaton:Tyndale, 1990.
COURSE PROCEDURES: The class meets 3 hours a week as a group in which the general topics of the languages course
will be introduced. The class will focus on selected texts from the Old and New Testaments.
- Each hour of the main session will deal with separate topics.
- Hour One: The Greek Bible
- Hour Two: The Hebrew Old Testament
- Hour Three: Word Studies
- The professor will hold weekly small group sessions (TBA) for those who are interested in resolving problems of
understanding concepts presented in the course.
- Each class will begin with a learning exercise in which the student takes a quiz or turns in homework.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES: Upon the completion of this course the student who has applied himself should:
- Be able to list in alphabetical order the Greek and Hebrew alphabets (correctly forming, naming, and
pronouncing each letter)
- Be able to transliterate the Greek and Hebrew into English characters.
- Be able to use the available analytical keys to identify the forms and significance of Hebrew and Greek
words.
- Be able to do simple word studies using a concordance.
- Know how to use various language study helps correctly.
- Be able to use the various Bible software.
SCHEDULE:
| Week |
Hebrew |
Week |
Greek |
Week |
Word Studies |
| 1-3 |
The Hebrew System of Writing
|
1-3 |
The Greek System of Writing |
1-6 |
1) Touching a Torah Scroll
2) Classifying Translations
of the Bible. |
| 4 |
Using the Analytical Key to the Old
Testament |
|
Using an Interlinear Translation
and an Analytical Lexicon |
|
|
| 5-6 |
Using Analytical Computer Bible
Software |
5-6 |
Using Analytical Computer Bible
Software |
|
|
| 7 |
Sentence Structure |
7 |
Sentence Structure |
7-14 |
1. How does one use a con-cordance?
2. How does one do a Word
Study? |
| 8-12 |
Verbs
Participles
Infinitives
Conjunctions
Articles, Nouns, Pronouns,
Adjectives |
8-12 |
Verbs
Participles
Infinitives
Conjunctions
Articles, Nouns, Pronouns,
Adjectives |
|
|
| 13-15 |
Constructions:
1. Conditional Sentences
2. Negative Statements, Questions,
and Prohibitions |
13-15 |
Constructions:
1. Conditional Sentences
2. Negative Statements,
Questions, and Prohibitions |
15 |
Word Study Due
Tying Up Loose Ends |
| Final |
Hour One: Questions about Exodus
1-15 |
|
Hour Two: Questions from
Galatians |
|
|
LATE WORK: The penalty that is assessed for late work will be based upon the reason for the tardiness, the importance of
the assignment, and any other circumstances that might have bearing on the matter. Usually the maximum grade that will be
given after a semester is complete is C-. This includes grade extensions.
ASSIGNMENTS: There are four areas in which the student will be evaluated in order to determine grade for the class.
- Daily Assignments: These will be made at the end of the class session for the following week. Some will involve
memorization and others research and analysis.
- Reading and Writing the Language. A quiz over these topics may be given at any time in the course.
- The student must learn the names of the letters of the Hebrew and Greek alphabets in order.
- The student must be able to writing and recognize Hebrew and Greek characters.
- The student must be able to transliterating Greek and Hebrew into English characters.
- Using Concordances, Dictionaries, Analytical Keys.
- The student will locate Hebrew and Greek words in these types of books.
- The student must be able to draw something significant from what is read.
- Using Computer Software.
- The student will use a computer to look up the instances where a particular word appears.
- The student will tell the form of a particular word using computer software.
- Analyzing Texts: Texts will be assigned and the student will be required to answer specific questions
regarding them.
- Word Study: The student will choose a word that he wants to study more deeply and will then study it according to
the procedure outlined in class. The procedure outlined in class must be followed exactly. A student will FAIL the
project if he does it any other way!
- Notebook: A notebook of class lectures must be kept which the student may use during the final test. The notebook
must be well organized and legible. Photocopied notebooks will not be accepted.
- The Final Test: The student will be asked to answer exegetical questions about passages from the Old and New
Testaments. The student may use any book, computer program, or notebook that he owns during the test.
Each assignment is worth 25% of the grade.
GRADE SCALE: The College grade scale will be followed.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Anything that distracts others or detracts from the learning experience is forbidden. Common
sense would indicate that this includes
1) Reading newspapers, magazines, or mail
2) Listening to music
3) Talking
4) Intentionally making noise
DRESS CODE: Attention is usually not paid to what a student wears, BUT if what you wear is forbidden by the school then it
is forbidden. Dress each day according to the strictest dress code of the day, which would include the hallway. In both hot and
cold weather I do allow shorts in the study groups. More important than what we wear is how we wear it.
LEGAL MATTERS: The tests and assignments listed may be modified in the sense that the professor may choose to change the due
date or cancel the assignment or test completely. The professor does not guarantee that all listed topics will be covered. Papers will
be returned at the professor's discretion. Final tests will not be returned. The student notebooks will be returned after the final test.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: The Seminary policy will be followed.