Rapid Reading Classical Hebrew II: Jeremiah

CLAS-HEB 130BR Subject & Catalog Number

Description

The book of Jeremiah tells the final chapters of the kingdom of Judah's story, as its last kings cling to power amid collapsing alliances, ultimately ending with the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of its temple. These poems and narratives overflow with insight on matters theological, philosophical, political, literary, and linguistic, raising questions of covenant and betrayal, exile and hope, the cost of unwelcome truths, and a broken people's search for restoration.

 This course offers a close, rapid reading of the book of Jeremiah, designed to build students' speed and fluency in reading biblical poetry (and some narrative). Special attention will go to expanding Hebrew vocabulary, strengthening command of verbal and nominal morphology, and mastering key aspects of Hebrew syntax. Students will also learn to navigate and interpret the Masora and critical apparatus of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, while developing familiarity with the book's contents and literary structure.

Depending on interest, the course will also offer opportunities to a) deepen knowledge of Hebrew historical linguistics; b) explore how Jeremiah engages with other parts of the Hebrew Bible; and c) engage with scholarly discussions on Jeremiah; d) examine the Greek text of Jeremiah and its relationship to the Hebrew.

Prerequisites: Classical Hebrew AA/AB sequence, CH 120a, and 120b, or equivalent.

Recommended Prep

Classical Hebrew 130a or equivalent. Offered jointly with the Divinity School as 1626.