Academic Catalog: Old Testament
The Old Testament department introduces students to the languages, literature, ethics, and archaeology of the text and its ancient context. Students also encounter Old Testament studies from around the globe that introduce new ways of appreciating its message and power. Each of these areas contributes to an essential foundation for identifying the person and work of Jesus Christ and for understanding the mission of the people of God today. Academic rigor and serious reflection prepare advanced students for further research in the linguistic, literary, historical, theological, and moral concerns of this sacred text.
BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation
Foundational for all biblical studies, this course introduces the students to the proper principles and methods for correctly interpreting scripture. It traces the history of interpreting the Bible since its writing, the need for appropriate presuppositions, the nature of preunderstanding, the goals for interpretation, essential methods for performing the task, and an introduction to the various genres of both testaments as the requisite basis for doing biblical interpretation today. Offered fall and spring semesters. Two hours.
OT 501 Learning Hebrew and Its Tools
An introduction to the Hebrew language. Students will understand the basic structure of the language of the Old Testament and will learn about the noun, the regular verb and the vocabulary essential to begin reading the Hebrew Bible. Students will become acquainted with the most important tools for its exegesis. Offered fall semesters and summers. Three hours.
OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar
Develops an understanding of the classic Hebrew of the Old Testament. This course covers the irregular verb and introduces skills in reading and interpreting the Hebrew Bible with a full examination of the variant readings in the texts and versions. Students will practice translating a variety of types of literature including narrative, law, and prophecy. Prerequisite: OT 501 Learning Hebrew and Its Tools. Recommended prerequisite: NT 502 Learning New Testament Greek. Offered spring semesters and summers. Three hours.
OT 505 Basic Hebrew Bible Interpretation
A practical introduction to the study of the Old Testament using the foundational knowledge of Hebrew grammar and the basic vocabulary learned in OT 501. This course develops the skills for interpreting specific biblical texts and to expose the student to modern language study tools. Designed for those not enrolling in OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar. Prerequisite: OT 501 Learning Hebrew and Its Tools. Offered spring semesters and summers. Two hours.
OT 511 Understanding Early Israel and Its Wisdom Literature
Surveys the content, historical background, critical issues, and key texts found in Genesis through Ruth and the poetic and wisdom literature. Journey with Israel through the wilderness, and experience its conquest and settlement in the land; listen to the poetry and song of Israel's psalms, and consider their place in the ancient world; and sit with the sages of the Bible. Offered fall and spring semesters. Three hours.
OT 512 Understanding the Kingdom of Israel and Its Prophets
Explores how God involved himself in the life and politics of ancient Israel. What could God require of his people today and what is the hope offered in the Old Testament? This course surveys the history of Israel from the rise of the monarchy to the return from exile and the prophets during this time period. Includes 1 Samuel to Esther and Isaiah to Malachi. Offered fall and spring semesters. Three hours.
OT 550-555 Studies in Selected Books
Studies a book of the Old Testament in depth for exegetical and theological insights that can speak to today’s world. These courses are based on the English Bible. Two hours.
OT 556 Kings and Leadership
Combines a full range of exegetical strategies in interpreting key texts of the books of Kings as found in the Hebrew Bible and thereby provides a primary source for dialogue with the major models of leadership as represented in current leadership studies. The results will seek innovative means for deriving theological, ethical, homiletical, and practical dimensions in leadership as represented in Christian ministry. May also credit as a leadership elective. Two hours.
OT 580–589 Center for Judaic Studies
These courses of study are available to Denver Seminary students through the
OT 641 Hebrew Reading
Increases speed and comprehension in the reading of the Hebrew text. Prerequisite: OT 701 Hebrew Exegesis of Old Testament Texts. Two hours.
OT 642 Literature of Israel
Read in English translation the most important ancient Near Eastern texts for the interpretation of the Bible. Creation stories from Mesopotamia, treaties and instruction books of the Hittites, Egyptian journals, letters from Canaanite kings of
OT 647 Old Testament Social Ethics
Many question whether the Old Testament is able to offer guidance for modern realities. The biblical text, however, has much to say about the character and lifestyles of the community that claims to believe and follow God. This course is an orientation for an appropriate use of the Old Testament in ethics today. Certain key ethical issues will be highlighted with the goal of interacting with contemporary problems in
OT 651 Reading the Old Testament from the Majority World
New insights into the Old Testament are emerging from unexpected places. What can we learn from those voices that are just now beginning to get a hearing? This course begins with an introductory survey of Old Testament studies from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. After examining contributions from different parts of the globe, these perspectives will be compared to recent approaches to the biblical text in North America offered by women, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. May also credit as an intercultural ministry elective. Two hours.
OT 661 Old Testament Theology and Religion
Course includes three components: (1) Discover significant issues and achievements of recent scholarly endeavor in Old Testament study; (2) consider the history of the discipline and read the most influential theologies of the Old Testament—how have modern believers understood their faith in the Old Testament and its relationship to the New Testament?; and (3) examine the actual beliefs and practices of ancient Israel using archaeological and textual evidence—how did the ancient people of God live out their faith in the contexts of other religions and cultures? Offered alternate years. Three hours.
OT 662 The Old Testament World
How did the land of Israel affect the lives and faith of the people? What role did the history of the Old Testament play in God’s relationship with his people? This course makes use of the archaeological, historical, and biblical sources to understand the biblical world and explores some of the major issues of interpretation. Students will learn about the most recent discoveries in archaeology and history that affect our understanding of the Bible. Two hours.
OT 701 Hebrew Exegesis of Old Testament Texts
Focuses on the study and interpretation of selected texts or a book in the Hebrew Bible. This course develops skills in the use of exegetical tools and applies them to an in-depth analysis of the Hebrew text. This is an essential course for all who wish to preach and teach from the Old Testament. Prerequisite: OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar. Offered fall semesters. Three hours.
OT 741 Septuagint
Focus on the reading and interpretation of significant Old Testament texts in the Hebrew and Greek translations, and the corresponding New Testament citations. Develop skills in the analysis of the original languages. Prepare for the independent study of the texts and versions of the Old Testament, for the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, and for the reading of Greek New Testament texts in light of their citation of the Old Testament. Prerequisites: OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar; NT 502 Learning New Testament Greek. May also credit as a New Testament elective. Two hours.
OT 742 Aramaic
Aramaic is the language of the New Testament world and of much of the books of Ezra and Daniel. This class builds upon Hebrew to simplify biblical Aramaic and provides an introduction to the language and tools for interpretation and exegesis. Students will read accounts of Ezra and the heroic stories and prophecies of Daniel. Offered with OT 743–OT 744 on a rotating basis. Prerequisite: OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar. Two hours.
OT 743 Northwest Semitic
Read the most important extrabiblical texts of Israel and its neighbors in the original languages. A foundation of biblical Hebrew forms a basis for an introduction to the other Hebrew texts as well as Ammonite, Moabite, and Phoenician readings; all closely related to the Hebrew of the Bible. The course will study key sources for the history and religion of ancient Israel as well as forms and expressions of Northwest Semitic that are crucial to understanding biblical Hebrew. Prerequisite: OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar. Offered with OT 742, OT 744, OT 746, and OT 747 on a rotating basis. Two hours.
OT 744 Ugaritic
Like ancient Israel, the city of Ugarit represented a culturally related society with a similar language that produced poetry, religious practices, and linguistic forms comparable to those found in the Old Testament. Its massive body of ancient administrative and religious literature provides a unique window into the world of the Old Testament. Study the language (closely related to Hebrew), read the texts, and learn about the culture from which Israel defined itself. Prerequisite: OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar. Offered with OT 742, OT 743, OT 746, and OT 747 on a rotating basis. Two hours.
OT 745 Advanced Hebrew Exegesis
Study further texts of the Old Testament and refine skills in working with the Hebrew language. Exegete and interpret Old Testament texts. The texts read will vary with the interests of the students who are enrolled. Prerequisite: OT 701 Hebrew Exegesis of Old Testament Texts. Offered spring semesters. Two or three hours.
OT 746 Akkadian I
Study the most important language for understanding the background of the Bible. The first semester covers the most important elements of the grammar, signs, and vocabulary. It begins reading from a variety of texts such as Hammurabi’s code. Offered with OT 742, OT 743, and OT 744 on a rotating basis. Two hours.
OT 747 Akkadian II
Completes the grammatical study of the language with continued reading from Mari letters, Old Babylonian myths and epics, and the Gilgamesh epic. Prerequisite: OT 746 Akkadian I. Offered with OT 742, OT 743, and OT 744 on a rotating basis. Two hours.
OT 590, 690, 790 Studies in Old Testament
These course numbers are reserved for courses of special or one-time interest that do not otherwise appear in the catalog or courses designed to free the student for independent investigation in Old Testament under the guidance of a professor. One to three hours.
OT 796 Old Testament Thesis Proposal
Students submit a thesis proposal by the due date of the term of registration and receive a grade of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Once students register for thesis proposal, they must remain enrolled in OT 798 until the term of registration for OT 799. Pre- or corequisite: GS 589 Academic Resources and Research. One hour.
OT 798 Old Testament Thesis Continuation
Students who are not ready to enroll in OT 799 should register for OT 798 each semester until they are ready to enroll in OT 799. Course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. $150 fee per semester. Prerequisite: OT 796 Old Testament Thesis Proposal. No credit.
OT 799 Thesis in Old Testament
Students should register for OT 799 when they are ready to complete the thesis process in a particular semester. Note that there are no course extensions for projects or theses. Prerequisite: OT 796 Old Testament Thesis Proposal. Three hours.
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