Biblical Hebrew I [ LGLOR1632 ]

Bible Works (available only at one computer in BTEC)

- For level I.1 none.
- For level I.2 the course GLOR 1631 (level I.1).

Alternately with LGLOR 1631, this course, if the occasion arises, is given to two distinct groups of students according to their level.

- For the level I.1 (beginners) it deals with writing, basic vocabulary, nominal morphology and regular verbs, as well as reading biblical texts of an elementary level. For the level I.2, it deals with morphology of weak verbs and the reading of biblical texts of average difficulty.

An initiation into biblical masoretic Hebrew.

At the end of this course, the student will be capable to translate a prose text of elementary level from the Hebrew bible. In order to achieve this goal, he will have acquired the writing and the basic vocabulary, and he will be able to recognise the principal characteristics of the morphology (noun and regular verb), and to recognise the principle structures of the phrases.

If the student has already followed LGLOR 1631, he will be capable of translating a prose text of average difficulty from the Hebrew bible, using the basic tools (dictionary, grammar). He will be able to explain the principal characteristics of the morphology of weak verbs.

Oral exam (20 min)with preparation beforehand (90 min.).

Translation of a biblical text that has been explaained during the course and of another not seen in class. The student is allowed the use of a grammar and dictionary.

The lectures on the grammar are based on the manual of J Weingreen, with exercises to be prepared individually and corrected in class (examples illustrating the grammar points).

Reading in class biblical texts prepared beforehand by the students.

Biblical masoretic Hebrew is a Canaan dialect (western Semitic), attested in the Jewish bible and in several old inscriptions. Comparatively simple, it nevertheless requires an effort of adaptation for someone confronted with a Semitic language for the first time.

The course permits an initiation to the writing, to the basic vocabulary and to the grammar (morphology of the noun and verb) The course very quickly turns to the reading of biblical texts (stories in Hebrew drawn from Genesis, the Book of judges, or Samuel; the choice will be made with the students);

Such reading allows  the student to consolidate his grammatical knowledge and to discover the principal characteristics of Hebrew syntax.

Basic works :
- J. Weingreen, L'hébreu biblique : méthode élémentaire, Paris, Beauchesne, 2004 (2e éd. revue et corrigée par J.-C. Haelewyck).
- Ph. Reymond, Dictionnaire d'hébreu et d'araméen bibliques, Paris, Cerf, 1991.

Additional readings :
- P. Joüon, Grammaire de l'hébreu biblique, Rome, P.I.B., 1965.
- F. Brown, S.R. Driver, C.A. Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1975.
- F. Zorell, Lexicon hebraicum et aramaicum Veteris Testamenti, Rome, P.I.B., 1968.
- Th. O. Lambdin, Inroduction à l'hébreu biblique, 2008.

- For level 1.1, fixed by the Faculty.
- For level 1.2, fixed by the lecturer at a first lecture