RELGH203B Hebrew Bible and Its Interpretations

Naomi Koltun-Fromm Hall 108 ex.4975 email nkoltunf@haverford.edu

T/TH 1-2:30 Hall 106

DESCRIPTION:

The Hebrew Bible is a foundational text for both Judaism and Christianity. Yet the two religions understand the text in very different ways. For centuries Jews and Christians have attempted to fathom the “true” meaning of the text. In the process they have produced a multiplicity of meaning. In this course we will examine the interaction between the biblical text and these many and evolving interpretations. We will study the biblical narratives of the first books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis and Exodus) in order to understand this development. We will explore how the biblical stories come together, discuss what issues arise or remain unresolved as well as discover inner tensions and inconsistencies. In conjunction with these texts we will read several early commentaries which attempt in various ways to resolve these issues and tensions and we will determine how these resolutions produce meaning for the commentators and their readers. We will also read some modern literary retellings of the biblical narratives in order to understand how these narratives and their interpretations have influenced our culture as well as have been reshaped for contemporary readers.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Students are required to come to class prepared to discuss the day’s readings in depth.

2. There will be 2 short papers and 1 long paper assignment.

3. Extensions cannot be granted without the prior approval of a dean.

BOOKS:

1. NRSV Bible

2. Kugel and Greer, Early Biblical Interpretation

3. Kugel, The Bible As It Was

4. Hurston, Moses Man of the Mountain

5. Readings on Blackboard

RESOURCES

Library Guide to Resources in Biblical Studies

Students who think they may need accommodations in this course because of the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet with me privately early in the semester. Students should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to verify their eligibility for reasonable accommodations as soon as possible. Early contact will help to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and delays.

SCHEDULE:

n.b. I reserve the right to change the syllabus at any time and on short notice

1. Jan 20 Introduction

2. Jan 22 Early Biblical Interpretation (p.13-72)

3. Jan 27 Early Biblical Interpretation (p.109-154)

4. Jan 29 Bible: Creation (Genesis ch.1-5)

5. Feb 3 Bible: Noah/Babel (Genesis ch.6-9)

6. Feb 5 Bible: Abraham cycle (Genesis ch. 12-22)

7. Feb 10 Bible: Jacob cycle (Genesis ch. 27-36)

8. Feb 12 Bible: Joseph cycle (Genesis ch. 37-50)

9. Feb 17 Bible: Egypt (Exodus ch. 1-12)

10. Feb 19 The Bible as it Was/Kugel (intro p. 1-49).

Feb 20 First paper due

write an in depth textual analysis of one of the narratives of texts we have read so far (it can be a as long as a narrative or as short as a verse) How do you think this text should be understood in its literary or historical context?

11. Feb 24 Interpretation: Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel; (Kugel 53-96).

12. Feb 26 Interpretation: Adam and Eve, rabbinic and Christian texts (Blackboard)

13. Mar 2 Interpretation: Noah/Babel (Kugel 97-130)

14. Mar 4 Interpretation: Noah/ Babel, rabbinic and Christian texts (Blackboard)

Spring break

15. Mar 16 Interpretation: Abraham (Kugel 133-178)

16. Mar 18 Interpretation: Jacob (Kugel 199-229)

Mar 19 second paper due after spring break

history of interpretation 1:Choose from among the following narratives: Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and Tower of Babel

Write a history of its interpretation from the texts we have looked at plus one or two we have not (stick to the ancient material)

17. Mar 23 Interpretation: Jacob, rabbinic and Christian texts (Blackboard)

18. Mar 25 Interpretation: Dinah (Kugel 233-244)

19. Mar 31 Dinah Mann, “Joseph and his Brothers” (Blackboard)

20. Apr 1 Dinah: The Red Tent

Apr 6 Passover no class

21. Apr 8 Dinah: The Red Tent

Apr 13 Passover no class

22. Apr 15 Interpretation: Exodus (Kugel 287-329), Josephus (Blackboard)

23. Apr 20 Exodus Moses Man of the Mountain

24 Apr 22 Exodus Moses Man of the Mountain

25. Apr 27 Exodus 10 Commandments

26. Apr 29 Exodus 10 Commandments

May 14^th (May 8^th Seniors) Final paper due

History of interpretation 2:

Choose a narrative we did not read in full –write a history of its interpretation—or some element that you can trace through several layers of interpretation

1)biblical text 2)early interpretation—apoc-->NT 3)rabbinic or early Christian 4)Modern