Hebrew Exegesis of Ecclesiastes

Hebrew Exegesis of Ecclesiastes, 9153

Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

Instructor: R. V. McCabe, Th.D. Fall Semester

Course Outline 2009

Click here to download course requirements

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An exegetical analysis of the book of Ecclesiastes in its historical and cultural milieu. While examining the introductory issues, the primary objective of this course is to use an exegetical approach to trace the development of the message of Ecclesiastes.

OBJECTIVES:

With this exegetical approach to the book of Ecclesiastes, the student should

1. become acquainted with the key introductory issues in this book;

2. be prepared to read at sight the assigned sections from Ecclesiastes;

3. gain proficiency in translating Hebrew poetic literature;

4. become conversant with some of the exegetical and theological issues in Ecclesiastes;

5. acquire an appreciation for the content in this book;

6. become more precise at identifying grammatical and syntactical forms;

7. become more familiar with the important tools for doing Hebrew exegesis; and

8. gain greater precision in doing independent research.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Tests: There will be two major tests. The mid-term will cover the introductory material up through 5:16 (English, 5:17) and the final exam will cover 5:17 (Eng., 5:18) through the remainder of the material. The mid-term will be given on October 22 and the final on December 17???30% of grade.

2. Daily Quizzes: Each student will take a daily quiz???20% of grade.

3. Critical Book Review: Each ThM student will write a five to ten page critique of Bartholomew???s Ecclesiastes and each MDiv student a three to six page critique of Ogden???s Qoheleth. The critique is due on Thursday, November 19???20% of grade.

4. Term Paper: Each ThM student is required to write a 15 to 20-page term paper and MDiv student an 8 to 15-page paper. This will be on a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes that contains an issue, and should be made up of approximately 5 to 10 verses. This paper is due on Thursday, December 3???20% of grade.

5. Reading Assignment: Each ThM student is required to read 1000 pages and MDiv student 800 pages from the required and recommended items in the bibliography as well as sources used for term paper and critical book review. This is due on Thursday, December 17???5% of grade.

6. Translation Notebook: Each student is required to keep a notebook of his accurate and readable translation for the book of Ecclesiastes. His translation notebook should also contain notes on significant problems and must reflect interaction with the required commentaries along with reference to Glenn and two other exegetical commentaries that provide solutions for the problems. This is due on Thursday, December 17???5% of grade.

TEXTBOOKS:

Bartholomew, Craig. Ecclesiastes. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009.

McCabe, Robert V. ???Hebrew Exegesis of Ecclesiastes.??? Unpublished syllabus, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, 2009.

Ogden, Graham S. Qoheleth. 2nd ed. Readings: A New Biblical Commentary. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2007.