Pentateuch (Hebrew)

The Pentateuch is the foundation of all biblical revelation, and indeed, of the entire biblical worldview. How was this part of Scripture designed to impact the lives of ancient Israelites? And how does knowing this help us discern God’s enduring message for today?

In this unit we’ll seek a deeper grasp of the Pentateuch as a literary whole, giving special attention to the early chapters of Genesis and Deuteronomy. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to a helpful method for interpreting and applying Old Testament texts. This will involve having guided, hands-on opportunities to engage texts in class, as well as writing an exegetical essay on a passage in Genesis 1-11. And, putting your knowledge of biblical Hebrew to use, you’ll be translating Genesis 1-3 and Deuteronomy 5-7, enabling you to grapple with two of the most foundational biblical texts in the most thorough way possible. Finally, you’ll also be introduced to historical background and scholarly approaches that are important for understanding the Pentateuch and for using the best Old Testament interpretive tools.