Exegesis of the Old Testament I: Analysis of narrative texts

The Old Testament Exegesis I course aims to present, through concrete examples, the process of analyzing Old Testament narrative texts, to shed light on the problems of biblical interpretation, and to help students develop a critical approach to a given text and its interpretations. The course also provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of two specific biblical pericopes (Isaiah 6:1–7:25; Exodus 32–34).

Competences

Knowledge

  • The student is familiar with the specific methodological questions of narrative text exegesis, with particular emphasis on the application of literary criticism, redaction criticism, and form history to complex Hebrew narrative texts.
  • The student knows the redactional history and transmission process of Isaiah 6:1–9:6 and Exodus 32–34, as well as the main scholarly positions related to these texts.
  • The student knows the characteristic literary genres, rhetorical devices, and structural features of Hebrew narrative literature.
  • The student knows the theological connections of the studied texts within the broader context of the Old Testament and the Christian canon.
  • The student knows the structure, methodological approaches, and criteria for the critical use of secondary scholarly literature (commentaries, academic studies).

Skills

  • The student is able to produce a scholarly Hungarian translation of an Old Testament pericope using a Hebrew dictionary and to analyze it on the basis of the exegetical methods learned.
  • The student is able to identify and visually outline the logical and rhetorical structure of a complex biblical narrative text.
  • The student is able to determine the genre of a text, its central line of thought, and to interpret the logical and narrative relationships between sentences.
  • The student is able to identify differences between textual witnesses and to weigh their consequences for interpretation.
  • The student is able to critically process and summarize in writing the topic, method, and main arguments of a scholarly study.
  • The student is able to place the theological message of the text within the broader context of the Old Testament and the Bible.

Responsibility and Autonomy

  • The student independently produces a translation and exegetical pre-analysis of an assigned Hebrew pericope and is able to formulate well-founded questions and problems regarding the text.
  • The student approaches a given text critically, as well as its old and new interpretations, weighing the strengths and limitations of different exegetical perspectives.
  • The student prepares written assignments with scholarly rigor and ethical citation practices.

Course structure

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 2 0 0
28 hours/semester 28 0 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 113
Studying course notes and bibliography 40
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 35
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 10
Personal tutoring 0
Total individual study 85

Examination

  • Completion of the exegesis course involves three steps:
    • 1. Pericope translation (5–8 verses per session). The written assignment must be uploaded to Google Classroom at least 48 hours before the class begins.
      • The task consists of a scholarly Hungarian translation made on the basis of the Hebrew text. Known Hungarian and foreign translations may be consulted, but the final result must be the student's own translation.
      • The assignment must also contain 4–5 problems raised in connection with the given pericope (translation of an expression, debatable interpretation of linguistic forms, differences between textual witnesses, theological questions, etc.).
      • Completion of the assignments accounts for 1 point of the final grade.
      • At most 2 assignments may be skipped without consequence. If the student fails to submit more than 2 partial assignments, the course is considered failed and must be retaken — it cannot be made up during the resit period.
    • 2. Processing of a scholarly study (25% of the final grade). Reading a related scholarly study and processing it briefly in 2–3 pages. The processing includes:
      • the topic of the study (objective, research question);
      • the method of elaboration;
      • its most important arguments;
      • related personal questions and problems raised.
      • The summary must be uploaded to Google Classroom by December 1st of the current academic year at the latest.
    • 3. Written final exam (75% of the final grade). The final exam covers the entire course material. Biblical texts, Hebrew dictionaries, and grammars available in BibleWorks or Logos may be used during the exam.

Bibliography

Book

Journal article

Book article