Divinity School
Hand clasps over a bible

Hebrew Bible Interpretation 1

Description

An introduction to the contents of the Hebrew Bible (Pentateuch and Historical Books) and the methods of its interpretation. The course focuses on the development of ancient Israelite biblical literature and religion in its historical and cultural context and on the theological appropriation of the Hebrew Bible for contemporary communities of faith. The course aims to make students aware of the contents of the Hebrew Bible, the history and development of ancient Israel’s literature and religion, the methods of biblical interpretation, and ways of interpreting the Hebrew Bible for modern communities of faith.

Course Takeaways

  • Explore the Pentateuch and Historical Books while mastering key interpretive methods for understanding these texts.
  • Uncover the historical and cultural background of ancient Israel, illuminating the development of biblical literature and religious practices.
  • Learn to interpret the Hebrew Bible for today's communities of faith, enriching modern spiritual understanding through ancient teachings.
Available on Demand

Delivery

Asynchronous Online Program

Duration
24 Lectures
Fees
Free
Language
English
Subtitles
English
Credentials
No Credential

Meet the Instructors

faculty profile image Prof. Joel Baden works widely in the field of Hebrew Bible, with special attention to the literary history of the Pentateuch. He is the author, most recently, of The Book of Exodus: A Biography (Princeton University Press, 2019). His other books include J, E, and the Redaction of the Pentateuch (Mohr Siebeck, 2009); The Composition of the Pentateuch: Renewing the Documentary Hypothesis (Yale University Press, 2012); The Promise to the Patriarchs (Oxford University Press, 2013); The Historical David: The Real Life of an Invented Hero (HarperOne, 2013); Reconceiving Infertility: Biblical Perspectives on Procreation and Childlessness (with Candida Moss; Princeton University Press, 2015); and Bible Nation: The United States of Hobby Lobby (with Candida Moss; Princeton University Press, 2017). He is the co-editor of the volumes The Strata of the Priestly Writings: Contemporary Debate and Future Directions (TVZ, 2009), Sibyls, Scriptures, and Scrolls (Brill, 2017), and The Oxford Handbook of the Pentateuch (with Jeffrey Stackert; Oxford University Press, 2021). Current projects include editing The Routledge Handbook of Marginalization in the Bible and a special issue of the journal Religions devoted to the Hebrew Bible, race, and racism, along with writing forthcoming commentaries on Deuteronomy (IECOT), Exodus (Anchor), and Lamentations (Oxford). Prof. Baden has published numerous scholarly articles and essays. He has also written widely for a popular audience, in venues such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic Monthly, Slate, The Los Angeles Times, Politico, CNN, and The Daily Beast. Biography