Aims

Presentation of the peculiarities of the Greek language as used in the biblical books, with a distinction between the Old Testament - characteriezed by its Hebrew model - and the New Testament - representing the common Greek (Koine) of Hellenistic time.

Main themes

The course is devoted alternatively to the Greek of the Old Testament and to the Greek of the New Testament. It gives an introduction to specific questions of morphology, syntax and lexicology arising from the study of Biblical texts. Attention is paid to the influences, be they semitisms or latinisms, to the use of literary genres and to the phenomenon of bilingualism. Students in Biblical studies are invited to get accustomed to the working tools of classical philology, as classical philologists are to get accustomed to the working tools of Biblical studies. The course consists of commented readings of selected texts.

Content and teaching methods

The course is devoted alternatively to the Greek of the Old Testament and to the Greek of the New Testament. It gives an introduction to specific questions of morphology, syntax and lexicology arising from the study of Biblical texts. Attention is paid to the influences, be they semitisms or latinisms, to the use of literaty genres and to the phenomenon of bilingualism. Students in Biblical studies are invited to get accustomed to the working tools of classical philology, as classical philologists are to get accustomed to the working tools of Biblical sudies. The course consists of commented readings of selected texts, with an initiation to accentuation and a systematic revision of grammar.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisite : Basic knowledge of ancient Greek.
Continuous evaluation through the involvement in the preparation of the lessons, and oral exam at the end of the year.
Teaching materials : texts and documents provided by the teacher.

Other credits in programs