Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures

Spring 2004: MWF 10:00-11:00 and by appointment

Class Materials

Resources

Reading Assignments

Enuma Elish
Ra & the Serpent
Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld
Lilith traditions
The Story of Noah, Marked According to Source
Texts related to Marriage and Hieros Gamos
Genesis Apocryphon (Tales of the Patriarchs)
The Code of Hammurabi
Barnabas ch. 10
Akkadian-Hittite Treaty
Oracle of Balaam (Deir 'Alla Inscription)
Story of Ahiqar
Song of Songs Interpretation Samples
The Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi
Dumuzi's wedding
Susanna (Revised Standard Version)
The wiles of the wicked woman (4Q184)

Study Outlines and Makeups

Class Lecture outline for quiz 1 (Feb. 6)
  Makeup for first quiz (due Feb. 20)

Class Lecture outline for quiz 2 (Feb. 21)
  Makeup for second quiz (due March. 1)

Class Lecture outline for quiz 3 (Mar. 3)
  Makeup for third quiz (due Apr. 9)

Class Lecture outline for quiz 4 (Mar. 22)
  Makeup for fourth quiz (due Mar. 29)

Class Lecture outline for quiz 5 (Apr. 2)
  Makeup for fifth quiz (due Apr. 16)

Class Lecture outline for quiz 6 (Apr. 21)
  Makeup for sixth quiz (due May 3, with final quiz)

Class Lecture outline for quiz 7 (May 3)
  Makeup for seventh quiz (due May 7)

Final Exam Questions

Student Papers

A sample project based on the material handed out in class (4Q470)
Selected student projects from previous semesters.

Study Helps

I Maccabees (Revised Standard Version)
A comparison of translation techniques
Very abbreviated time line
Books in the Christian Bible by Genre
The Story of Noah, Marked According to Source
Lilith traditions
Basic map of the ancient Near East
Basic map of the ancient Palestine
Ancient Near Eastern treaties and contracts
Handel's Jephtha
Song of Songs Interpretation Samples

Canon and Textual Criticism

Textual Criticism course at Brown
Books in the Christian Bible by Genre
Text and Canon of the Hebrew Bible

Ancient Mediterranian Religions and Cultures

Abbreviated Time Line
Ancient Canaanites, Israelites and Related Peoples
Exploring Ancient World Cultures

Ancient Near East
Ancient Egypt

Dead Sea Scrolls
Diotima: Resources for the Study of Women and Gender in the Ancient World

Ancient Texts Useful for Biblical Studies

Dead Sea Scrolls Resources

Last Modified Feb. 18, 2004