THBS 100
archaeological discoveries (for more information see right had column of reader p. 55): Merneptah Stele, Mesha Stele / Moabite Stone; Gezer Calendar; Samaria Ostracon; Siloam Inscription; Sennacherib / Taylor's Prism; Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III; Lachish Ostraca; Gilgamesh Epic; Hummurabi's Code; Amarna Letters; Ugaritic Texts; and the Enuma Elish.
Hummurabi's Code - (18th Century BCE) An extensive Babylonian legal code containing parallels to the covenant code Amarna Letters - (14th Century BCE) diplomatic notes between Egypt and the small cities of the region that will later be called Israel. The notes contain requests for help against marauding "habiru" (which might refer to the "Hebrews" another name for the Israelites) Ugaritic Texts - (14th or 13th Century BCE) Thousands of ancient Canaanite cuneiform tablets containing many different texts (some with parallel stories to those in the bible), revealing a previously unknown form of writing. Enuma Elish - (possibly 12th Century BCE) A Babylonian creation epic, the focus of which is warning gods and the conflict between chaos and order; it contains parallels to P's creation account (Gen 1)
Positive Legacy of the Bible
Increased Value of Human Life Freedom and Dignity for Women Hospitals and Health Care Christianity's Influence on Education Christians gave dignity to labour Foundations of Modern Science Abolition of Slavery
Documentary Theory
J E D P sources (Yaweh, Elohim, Deutoronmic, Preistly) Weaknesses of the theory : - how can 4 sources make 5 books - no literart references - cultural informtion - God has multiple names - criteria
Start to pay attention and collect examples of the intersection of the Bible and popular culture (eg. Marley, Friedman, Dylan, see p.97 reader).
the idea of the bible and biblical ideas are within a lot of our culture etc. We see it evident in a lot of song lyrics etc.
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Lexicography
the meaning of
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Form/Genre
the style of literature
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Text
there are variations between copies none of them are originals
Define Biblical critisisms
to judge or discern while taking history and culture seriously
Ashmolean fragment 1924.475 for Biblical studies
→ tower of bable leads into significance of the ashmolean fragment → linguists today debate the evolution of language - did it evolve independently, or is there a common ancestor (biblical story says language is the same for everyone - then became diverse after bable) - independent non biblical evidencs that supports biblical that it came from one ancestor
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Theology and Meaning
give bible authority over other lines of thought. is so that people do not have to go to church to know the bibles teachings.
Define Hermeneutics
interpretation of literary texts interpretations of the bible
visually identify the Merneptah Stele / Mesha Stele [Moabite Stone] and provide a basic definition (see p. 163 reader).
is an inscription by the Ancient Egyptian king Merneptah, describing his military victories
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Literary Structure
meaning order manner
Be familiar with the Biblical referencing conventions
on pp. 299-300 of the reader
three arguments for and against the 13th and 15th century date for the Exodus (see pp. 165-167 reader)
page 169 - Just be aware of them you don't need to know in detail FOR 15th century say: - To support the biblical chronology of Moses, Pharaoh must have reigned in excess of 40 years. Moses stayed in the wilderness until Pharaoh died - Jephthah assigns 300 years between his day (c. 1100) and the conquest. This would seem to indicate a 15th century Exodus. - 1 Kings 6:1 designates 480 years from the exodus to Solomon's dedication of the temple. The dedication was 966. That makes the Exodus 1446. 13th century say: - Moses' 40 years with the midianites is not really a chronological reference - This was a generalisation or a rough and slightly inaccurate guess by Jephthah who would have had no access to historical records - The 480 years is most likely 12 generations (12 X 40 = 480). In actuality, a generation was about 25 years making the actual figure about 300
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Historical- Cultural Context
political social cultural and economic understanding
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Grammatical Structure
reputation of words and ideas
comment intelligently on the golden calf episode in Exod 32 in light of ANE findings
- Aaron made all of the Israelites (who were saved from the Egyptians) give him their golden earrings and they melted this gold and created a golden calf in which they worshiped and called this their new God. - When Moses returned to the group he asked the people who still believed in God and only the sons of Levi stepped forward. Moses then commanded the sons of Levi to kill the rest of the 3 thousand people who didn't step forward which they did. Moses tried to seek atonement for the remaining people but God did not accept this and sent a plague to finish off the rest of the people.
Significance of Gen 6:14.
- God giving Noah instruction on how to build his ark - God warns Noah about the flood - Noah did everything God commanded
Sumerian Flood story
- The God's An, Enlil, Enki and Ninhursanga create the black-headed people - create comfortable conditions for animals to live and procreate. - Then kingship descends from heaven and the first cities are founded - Gods have decided not to save mankind from an impending flood. Enki warns Atrahasis and gives instructions for the ark. - flood that lasted 7 days and 7 nights, then Utu (God of sun) appears and Zi-ud-sura created an opening in the boat, prostrates himself and sacrafixes oxen and sheep. - animals disembark and Zi-ud-sura prostrates himself before An (god of sky) and Enlil (chief of gods) who give him eternal life and take him to dwell in dilmun for "preserving the animals and the seed of mankind".
significance of Gen 22 for the book of Genesis and later traditions.
- The story is "The command to sacrifice Isaac" - God testing Abraham's faith - he asked Abraham to take his only son Isaac, who he loved very much to the mountains where he would give him up as a sacrifice. - He did so - at the point of sacrificing him, God stopped him because he saw how strong his faith was. - God blessed Abraham and his family.
significance of Exod 2:3
- pharaohs daughter found a basket in the river with a baby in it and took him in as her son. - Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew and killed the Egyptian in secret - The Hebrew people found out about this and when Moses approached two Hebrew's that were fighting , one of them mentioned the killing - The pharaoh sought to kill Moses so he fled - He rested in Midian where he helped water a flock for several sisters against other shepherds so their father gave his daughter Zipporah to him in marriage. She bore a child named Gershom
Proposals for the division of Matthew's genealogy into 3 lots of 14
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
five key marks of second temple Judaism and scriptural examples of each (reader pp.201-202).
1. One true god 2. God has chosen israel - to be his people and committed to them 3. God has provided a way to live - laws were his gift 4. God has given people a land - provided grounds for the temples etc and for the festivals 5. Hope for the future - restoration of 12 tribes, conversion of gentiles, purified new temple, pure worship, ,essence expectations, gentiles can become jews but need to go through all pre requisite (e.g. circumsision, sabbath etc)
Gilgamesh Epic
12 tablets Gilgamesh is a King who goes on a journey with Enkidu - encounter a great fight and become great friends - two fight huwawa (wild creature of god) - defeat huwawa - Gilgamesh meets Ishtar who proposes - gilgamesh says no - Ishtar sends a bull - gilgamesh defeats - enkidu dies - Gilgamesh goes on search of immortality - Gilgamesh finds an immortal man who tells him of a story of a flood and a plan that can be eaten to give eternal life - serpent eats plan
Make sure you can visually identify the Sumerian King List, and are aware of its significance for reading Genesis 5.
1900BCE Kings who ruled before and after Flood Genesis 5 - lists Adam's descendants - The numbers of years each of the descendants lived was over 500 and they were having these children over the age of 60 years old.
Be familiar with the Egyptian background to Proverbs 21.2; 24.12. (compare Egypt and the bible Similarity and difference)
299/300 for references Egypt - Book of the dead (instructions of how to get to the afterlife, spells you can use spell 30b a spell you can put on your heart to make it through to the afterlife and stop amuit eating your heart) Bible - there are no spells to alleviate yourself from gods eyes, we are responsible and accountable for our actions, there is no way to avoid the weighing of the heart.
comment on Exod 4:24 and 12:12
4:24 - It was God's plan to inflict death upon a boy, but his mother circumcised him because that's the way to gain all the benefits of worshipping God 12:12 - God was going to inflict a plague over the land of Egypt - God said that he would pass over those houses with blood on them - Moses instructed all the people to kill lambs and use their blood for the doors.
Enuma Elish
7 tablets - Marduk becomes a chief god - young and old gods are at war - Marduk becomes leader of the young - Condition of becoming chief god was to defeat old (he does) - Marduk proclaimed king - Humans created to do work of gods
The bible is not...
A BOOK (it is a library of books, written in different times by different authors appreciate different styles phrases etc) HAGIOGRAPHY (not writing about a saint, doesn't present everyone as a polished saint, for example king David (he rapes and murders) FOR CHILDREN (themes are not appropriate for children, for example rape, language is difficult to interpret, literary sophistication is not appropriate for children.) A BOOK OF THEOLOGY (not a list of propositions, doesn't present God in this fashion, it is a book that presents stories) AN ETHICAL CHERRY TREE (you can't just pick and choose sections of the bible, we consider the literary context and the historical context)
Define Primary/Secondary Sources
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.
Divisions of the Bible in the Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions
All include Pentateuch Historical Books Wisdom Book and Minor Prophets DIFFERENCES: Catholic - historical books: tobit judith machabees 1 2 wisdom books: eisdom, sirach Orthodox - historical books: esdras tobit judith machabees 1 2 3 and 4 wisdom books: odes, eisdom, sirach
comparing Genesis 1-11 and the other ANE texts, be familiar with the picture that emerges of the Biblical understanding of God and humanity
Assignment 2 (Look over)
Ancient Israelis Neighbours
Assyrians: - conquered israel in 722 BC -defeated by Babylonians in 612 BC Babylonians: -defeated by persians in 539 BC -military power in 7 and 6 Centure BC Canaanites: - earlier inhibitors of israel -responsible for names and images of god Egyptians: -struggled for control (against babylonians and assyrians) Persians: - under Cyrus 11 defeated the babylonians
History of Division of Bible into Chapters and Versus
Chapter Divisions - 1227 CE Versus 1551 CE The Geneva Bible (1560) was the first english translation to uses the full system of chapter and verse numbers
Atrahasis Epic
Creation story - gods in heaven (great) - deites on earth (minor gods) - Gods on earth provide for those in heaven - After 3600 years deites go on strike - Great gods create humans instead to do this work - Humans populate earth too quickly so Enlil sends a flood to wipe them out
Criteria for inclusion of the New Testament documents in the Canon.
Criteria: Apostolic, Universally Recognised, Historically Reliable, Orthodox (In line with faith)
traditional arguments for and against the historicity of the Patriarchal Narratives
For: lifestyle, specific parables to gen and nuzi tablet Against: gen and 2nd century texts too early to report, gen written 10 years after patriarchs
Tel Dan Inscription
Found in Dan (North of Jerusalem) written in Paleo (old hebrew) About a king bragging about how many he had killed in battle. Words of the house of David
Distinctive features of the Matthean infancy narrative
Genealogy of Jesus early on Angel announced birth to Joeseph when he's asleep Mary gives birth to son in Bethlehem and names Jesus Magi from east comes to visit joseph and mary flee to Egypt with baby until safe to return journey to nazareth
Distinctive Features of the Lukan infancy narrative
Genealogy of Jesus later on Angel announces to John the Baptisit's bitrh Angel Announces birth to Mary while awake Mary visits Elizabeth (elizabeth gives birth to John the baptist) Joseph and Mary journey to bethlehem Mary gives birth in Bethlehem Angles appear to shapers Shepards visit mary and joseph and baby in manger infant circumsied and named jesus jesus presented to god in temple return to nazareth at 12 yrs old they visit temple in jerusalem
Key Moments in the History of Ancient Israel
Genisis - Creation of the world King David (1011-971 BC) King Solomon (971-931 BC) Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 11-14) Fall of Northern Kingdom (722 BC) Babylonian Exile (586 BC) The Return (Cyrus Cylinder) (539 BC) Maccabean Revolt (167 BC) Pompey (63 BC) Jesus (4 BC - 33 AD) Paul's Career (67 AD) Jewish Roman War (70 AD) (Destruction of Jerusalem Temple)
Links to Genesis
Gilgamesh Epic Atrahasis Epic, Enuma Elish, Sumerian Flood Story
Ancient Israelis Neighbours
Greeks: - a powerful cultural and economic influence throughout the region during the first millennium - Israel was conquered by Alexander the Great (late 4th century BCE). The result a mix of native and Greek social and political cultures. Philistines: - invaded and conquered the Mediterranean coast around 1200 BCE - Often in conflict with Israel - Knowledge of how to make iron gave them a powerful military advantage
10 Commandments
Grouping is different in the Jewish Protestant and Catholic Traditions refer to page 101 of reader.
identify and locate the following cities on a map of the Ancient Near East: Jerusalem, Ur, Haran
Harah is up the top Ur is to the right Jerusalem is the small one on the left.
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Translation
Literal -formal equivalence stays as faithful as possible, word for word Mediating - informal/dynamic, functional equivalence retains meaning but places in the idiomatic english contexts Paraphrase - functional equivalence, extremely interpreted Translations can change because we have no original copies. We shouldn't stick to just one type of translation as they can differ
Define Majuscule/Minuscule
Majuscule: large letters or writing Minuscule: small letters or writing
Define Manuscripts/Printed Editions
Manuscript: the original text of an author's work, handwritten, in the case of the bible it is a book or document written before the invention of printing, before printing occurs Printed Edition: to reproduce (text, pictures, etc.), esp. in large numbers, by applying ink to paper or other material by one of various processes
Define Papyrus/Parchment
Materials in which manuscripts were written on Papyrus: a material on which to write, prepared from thin strips of the pith of this plant laid together, soaked, pressed, and dried, used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Parchment: the skin of sheep, goats, etc., prepared for use as a material on which to write.
Synoptic problem and the main scholarly solutions proposed
Matthew Mark and Luke - Synoptic gospels - viewed side by side and compared easily - lots of material in common - material presented in same order
archaeological discoveries (for more information see right had column of reader p. 55): Merneptah Stele, Mesha Stele / Moabite Stone; Gezer Calendar; Samaria Ostracon; Siloam Inscription; Sennacherib / Taylor's Prism; Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III; Lachish Ostraca; Gilgamesh Epic; Hummurabi's Code; Amarna Letters; Ugaritic Texts; and the Enuma Elish.
Merneptah Stele - (13th century BC) In inscription recording the Egyptian pharaohs conquest for Israel, in the earliest non-biblical mention of Israel. Mesha Stele/ Moabite Stone - (9th Century BC) An inscription commemorating the Moabite king Mesha's victory over the Israelite king Omri; the mass slaughter mentioned in the inscription, committed as an offering to the Moabite God Chemosh, may be similar to the slaughter of all people and even animals in the conquests in the book of Joshua. Gezer Calendar - (10th Century BC) An inscription of an agricultural calendar preserving a very old form of Hebrew
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Biblical Context
New testament - Jesus onwards Old testament - Before Jesus jesus calls himself son of man. Son of god is humans, kings, sons and daughters - humanity
Book Titles for inclusion of the New Testament documents in the Canon.
PAGE 187 of Reader inc photo
festivals in second temple Judaism (reader p. 202).
Pass over Festival of weeks (pentecost) Festival of Teabernacles/Booths Yom Kippur (day f Atonement) Rosh Hashannah ( New years) Hannukkah (Maccabean Revolt) Purim (Esther)
different Jewish groups in first century Judaism and their distinctive beliefs (reader pp.205).
Pharisees - equivalence of hypocrit, eat taught, pray together, study together Sadducees - hands on leaders, wealthy, rejected most of hebrew bible, valued laws (pentateuch), no after life Essenes - unsatisfied with jerusalem temple, formed own town out side of jerusalem, purists The Revolutionaries - don't believe in kings, believe in god, violet means to get messages across, not happy with roman rules Common Judaism - the rest of jewish people, keep sabbath, go to synagogues
Main Stories in the Pentateuch
Primeval History Patriarchs = abraham and sons Liberation from Egypt = israliets in egypt captured - released by Moses The stay at Sinai = giving of the law The Journey = Wondering to get to the promise land Moses' Farewell = a day in the life of moses
Key to Plates of Herod's Temple (p. 203-205), be able to identify the following features of the temple and its enclosure on the reconstructed models of Jerusalem: feature 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29 (see key to temple pans in LEO > THBS100 > Resources)
REFER TO READER AND PRINT OUT
Cyrus Cylinder
Represents when the Persians beat the babylonian's - ending the exile. Cyrus allowed people to return home and build their places of worship. The cylinder does not state Israel specifically however it is in the same time period and lines up with the biblical story.
3 Translation Theories: Dynamic
Retaining meaning when translating. Creating a translation that sounds clear and natural
three main proposals for the rationale of including women in Matthew's genealogy?Which do you find most convincing?
SLide 11 184 1. All women were sinners ( they included because he wanted his gospel to be for all - there were lots of men though who were also sinners) 2. Salvation to the Gentiles (the story is again for everyone) 3. Gives you a heads up for the scadoulus nature of material uniions (for example prepares us for the infancy story in which mary falls pregnant but not to Joseph, sexual ambuguity etc)
archaeological discoveries (for more information see right had column of reader p. 55): Merneptah Stele, Mesha Stele / Moabite Stone; Gezer Calendar; Samaria Ostracon; Siloam Inscription; Sennacherib / Taylor's Prism; Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III; Lachish Ostraca; Gilgamesh Epic; Hummurabi's Code; Amarna Letters; Ugaritic Texts; and the Enuma Elish.
Samaria Ostracon - (8th Century BC) Pottery fragments providing an important example of very early Hebrew writing. They contain short lists of names and places and of goods ro be delivered to the northern kingdom. Siloam Inscription - (late 8th century/early 7th Century BC) An inscription in a water tunnel built under Jerusalem during the time of Hezekiah commemorating the occasion when diggers working from two directions finally met underground.
Define Scroll/Codex
Scroll: a roll of parchment, paper, copper, or other material, especially one with writing on it. Codex: a quire of manuscript pages held together by stitching: the earliest form of book, replacing the scrolls and wax tablets of earlier times.
archaeological discoveries (for more information see right had column of reader p. 55): Merneptah Stele, Mesha Stele / Moabite Stone; Gezer Calendar; Samaria Ostracon; Siloam Inscription; Sennacherib / Taylor's Prism; Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III; Lachish Ostraca; Gilgamesh Epic; Hummurabi's Code; Amarna Letters; Ugaritic Texts; and the Enuma Elish.
Sennacherib/Taylor's Prism - (Late 8th Century BC) An account of the Assyrian kings battle against neighbouring peoples and lands including an attack on Jerusalem Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III - (9th Century BC) A victory monument that depicts king jehu of Israel bowing before Shalmaneser and bringing him tribute Lachish Ostraca - (early 6th Century BC) Short reports from the town of Lachish before it was destroyed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar Gilgamesh Epic - (2nd Millennium BCE) A Sumerian story of a king seeking immortality in which the theme is the limitations of humanity. The epic contains parallels to the biblical flood account (gen. 6-9)
three main divisions of the book of Exodus (p.163 reader
Slavery in Egypt and Liberation: slavery and genoside Law Giving: 10 commandments The tabernacle: construction
How does Matthew's genealogy compare with other ancient genealogies? Give one example.
Slide 12 184 Matthew is comfortable to include these ideas Josephus - boasts about having a perfect family line (completely opposite to Matthew)
ten plagues of the Exodus and with Greta Hort's theory (see p. 166 reader).
TYPE OF PLAGUE - WARNING - TIME OF WARNING - INSTRUCTION- AGENT- REFERENCE 1. Blood- Yes- In the morning- Stand - Aaron - 7:14 - 24 2. Frogs -Yes- Not stated- Go in to Pharaoh- Aaron -8:1-16 3. Gnats -No - Not stated - None - Aaron - 8:16-19 4. Flies -Yes-In the morning - Present yourself - God 8:20-32 5. Livestock disease - Yes - Not stated - Go in to Pharaoh - God - 9:1-7 6. Boils - No - Not stated - None - Moses - 9:8-12 7. Hail - Yes - In the morning - Present yourself - Moses - 9:13-35 8. Locusts - Yes - Not stated - Go in to Pharaoh - Moses 10:1-20 9. Darkness - No - Not stated - None - Moses - 10:21-29 10. Death of first born - Yes - Not stated - None - God - 11:1-10 12:29-32
8 Biblical Criticisms
Text Historical - considering the who? what? when? where? how? your interpretation is dependant on this Form Source Redaction Socio-historical Socio-Scientific
Negative Legacy of the Bible
The Crusades The Inquisition Missionaries Exploration of Culture Anti-Seminism - Hatred of Jews
3 Translation Theories: Form
The literal word for word translation
1o Commandments
There are actually more than 10 if you break them up individually 1.you should only have one god 2. do not bow down to other gods 3.do not misuse the lords name 4. keep the sabbath holy 5. honour your mother and father 6. do not murder 7. do not commit adultery 8. do not steal 9. do not lie 10. do not covert
common themes in the stories of the Patriarchs (Abraham, John and Jacob)
They are all stories about people The themes repeat themselves - the wives are barren divine intervention father stories - Abraham father of israel, israelites are his children.
geography of the Abrahamic journey, including the relevant Biblical references
Ur - Gen 11:28, Gen 11:31,Gen 15:7 Haran - Gen 11:31, Gen 11:32, Gen 12:4, gen 12:5, Gen 27:43 Shechem - Gen 12:6, Gen 33:18, Gen 35:4, Gen 37:12, Gen 37:13 Hebron- Gen 13:18, Gen 23:2, Gen 23:19, Gen 35:27 Bethel -Gen 12:8, Gen 13:3, Gen 28:19, Gen 31:13, Gen 35:1 Ai - Gen 12:8, Gen 13:3 Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen 10:19, Gen 13:10, Gen 14:2, Gen 14:8, Gen 14:10 Beersheba - Gen 21:14, Gen 21:31, Gen 21:32, Gen 21:33, Gen 22:19 Gerar - Gen 10:19, Gen 20:1, Gen 20:2, Gen 26:1, Gen 26:6 Mount Moriah - Gen 22:1-14 Egypt - Gen 12: 10-20
Week 1 Content
Week 1: Be aware of both the negative and positive legacy of Biblical interpretation (as per slide 4 on p. 4 of reader). Be familiar with the twelve stages of Biblical interpretation (text, translation, literary context, form/genre, literary structure, historical-cultural context, lexicography, grammatical structure, Biblical context, theology and meaning, application, secondary literature). Be sure that you can define the 8 'biblical criticisms' p. 55 of reader (with at least one example of each), cf. additional notes on pp. 14-15 of reader. Be familiar with the 3 translation theories (form / dynamic / paraphrase) and the relevant examples from the tutorial (see reader pp. 29-41). Be able to intelligently discuss five things the bible is not (a book, hagiography, for children, a book of theology, an ethical cherry tree). Key terms to define: hermeneutics, exegesis, Biblical criticisms, primary / secondary sources, manuscripts / printed editions, ancient versions / modern translations, papyrus / parchment, scroll / codex, majuscule / minuscule.
Week 2 Content
Week 2: Be familiar with the books and divisions of the Bible in the Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, especially the distinctive books in each canon (p. 54). Be familiar with the history of dividing the Biblical books into chapters and verses and the implications this might have for interpretation. Be familiar with the Biblical referencing conventions on pp. 299-300. Make sure you know dates of events listed on p. 53 of the reader, and can visually identify and know the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder (p.53) and Tel Dan inscription (pp.44-45). Make sure you are familiar with the definitions of ancient Israel's neighbours, see bottom of p. 57 of reader. Make sure you can identify Israel's neighbours on p. 66 of reader. Be familiar with the Egyptian background to Proverbs 21.2; 24.12. Be able to provide at least two specific examples of how the interpretation of the Bible might benefit from attention to its geographical context.
Week 3
Week 3: Be familiar with the various hypothetical sources of the Pentateuch - JEPD, and the potential weaknesses of this theory. Be sure you are thoroughly familiar with the 10 commandments as they are numbered in the Jewish / Protestant / Catholic tradition (pp. 98-101 reader). Be familiar with the main stories in the Pentateuch as per slide 11, p 91). Start to pay attention and collect examples of the intersection of the Bible and popular culture (eg. Marley, Friedman, Dylan, see pp.97 reader).
3 Translation Theories: Paraphrase
expresses meaning of the text using different words
Week 4
Week 4: Make sure you can visually identify the Gilgamesh Epic, Atrahasis Epic, Enuma Elish, Sumerian Flood Story and are generally familiar with the story lines and connections to Genesis 1-11. Make sure you can visually identify the Sumerian King List, and are aware of its significance for reading Genesis 5. Make sure you can visually identify the Ziggurat at Ur. Be familiar with the following relevant archaeological discoveries (for more information see right had column of reader p. 55): Merneptah Stele, Mesha Stele / Moabite Stone; Gezer Calendar; Samaria Ostracon; Siloam Inscription; Sennacherib / Taylor's Prism; Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III; Lachish Ostraca; Gilgamesh Epic; Hummurabi's Code; Amarna Letters; Ugaritic Texts; and the Enuma Elish. When comparing Genesis 1-11 and the other ANE texts, be familiar with the picture that emerges of the Biblical understanding of God and humanity. Be familiar with the relevance of Ashmolean fragment 1924.475 for Biblical studies.
Week 5
Week 5: Be sure you can identify and locate the following cities on a map of the Ancient Near East: Jerusalem, Ur, Haran. Be familiar with the geography of the Abrahamic journey, including the relevant Biblical references. See the maps Week5_AbrahamicJourney1/2 under resource on LEO. Be familiar with the common themes in the stories of the Patriarchs. Distill the traditional arguments for and against the historicity of the Patriarchal Narratives. Be aware of the contribution of the Nuzi Tablets for the interpretation of the Patriarchal Narratives, including specific examples. Be familiar with the significance of Gen 22 for the book of Genesis and later traditions.
Week 6
Week 6: Be familiar with the three main divisions of the book of Exodus (p.163 reader). Be familiar with at least three arguments for and against the 13th and 15th century date for the Exodus (see pp. 165-167 reader). Be familiar with the significance of Exod 2:3 and Gen 6:14. Be able to comment on Exod 4:24 and 12:12. Be familiar with the ten plagues of the Exodus and with Greta Hort's theory (see p. 166 reader). Be able to comment intelligently on the golden calf episode in Exod 32 in light of ANE findings. Be familiar with the Code of Hammurabi and its distinctive features, cf. Law of Moses (see p.171ff reader), especially how it might relate to Deut 4:7-8. Be able to visually identify the Merneptah Stele / Mesha Stele [Moabite Stone] and provide a basic definition (see p. 163 reader). Be familiar with the layout / floor plan of the Tabernacle (see p. 167 reader).
Week 7
Week 7: Be familiar with the language, dialect, genres, book titles and criteria for inclusion of the New Testament documents in the Canon. Be familiar with the relationship of the NT with the OT. Be familiar with the synoptic problem and the main scholarly solutions proposed. Be familiar with the distinctive features of the Matthean and Lukan infancy narratives. Be familiar with the five proposals for the division of Matthew's genealogy into 3 lots of 14. What are the three main proposals for the rationale of including women in Matthew's genealogy? Which do you find most convincing? How does Matthew's genealogy compare with other ancient genealogies? Give one example. What is the Biblical meaning of Christmas? Be able to locate the following places on a map: Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Decapolis, Perea, Tetrarchy of Philip (see Map of New Testament under resources in LEO > THBS100).
Week 8
Week 8: Be familiar with the five key marks of second temple Judaism and scriptural examples of each (reader pp.201-202). Be familiar with the different Jewish groups in first century Judaism and their distinctive beliefs (reader pp.205). Be familiar with the various festivals in second temple Judaism (reader p. 202). As per the Key to Plates of Herod's Temple (p. 203-205), be able to identify the following features of the temple and its enclosure on the reconstructed models of Jerusalem: feature 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31 (see key to temple pans in LEO > THBS100 > Resources). Be able to visually identify the inscription from the Soreg (number 16 on temple plan), and recount its general function and contents.
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Application
a. original meaning b. transferable c. general principles d. narrative vs. didactic (story vs. teaching)
Code of Hammurabi and its distinctive features, cf. Law of Moses (see p.171ff reader), especially how it might relate to Deut 4:7-8
an organized list of laws that helped people to know the expectations of them and consequences in disobeying the law. - Writing goes all the way around the statue - The figure on the left has a beard, a headpiece (that symbolises rulers) - The figure on the right has a crown of horns symbolising that he is God - there are also flames coming out of his shoulders. - He is holding royal septer/rod and a ring - this symbolises power - The pedestal of "mountains" that he is on symbolises greatness. Deut 4:7-8 - For what other great nation has a God so near to it as him?
12 Stages of Biblical Translation Literary Context
contexts are economical social cultural history literary and geographical
Define Exegesis
critical explanation or interpretation of the text.
