Prospectus

nl en

Reading Hebrew Literature: Ecclesiastes & Ecclesiasticus

Course
2025-2026

Admission requirements

Students wanting to follow this course will have to have followed 20 EC of Biblical or Classical Hebrew or completed comparable work in a closely related ancient Northwest Semitic language and be able to read and translate Classical (Biblical) Hebrew.

Description

In this course, we will focus on reading two books written in Classical Hebrew, Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) and Ecclesiasticus (Ben Sira). We will discuss their many interesting grammatical and lexicographic features as well as their content. Questions of textual transmission as well as literary parallels from the Middle East in antiquity will play a role.

The basis of our work will be the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Other biblical texts will be provided ad hoc (Qumran, Samaritan Pentateuch or even the Septuagint) as appropriate and as desired by course participants.

Course objectives

Knowledge and Insight

  • Improving the understanding of Classical Hebrew

  • Understanding of questions of translation from Classical language into modern vernaculars in different contexts

  • Understanding of the literary history of Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus

  • Understanding of the ancient Middle Eastern contexts of Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus

Skill

  • reading and grammatically analysing Classical Hebrew wisdom texts

  • reading the apparatus of the BHS

  • analysing the content of texts written Classical Hebrew

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar

Assessment method

Assessment

  1. 10% Participation
  2. 10% Essay Proposal
  3. 50% 4,000 word essay
  4. 30% Translation and commentary of a suitable pericope

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.

Resit

Should the essay not be of sufficient quality a second chance can be arranged in consultation with the module teacher.

Inspection and feedback

Students are encouraged to seek feedback tutorials with the instructor after publication of the marks.

Reading list

Not applicable.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange

Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.

Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.

For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal Reuvensplaats Huizinga De Vrieshof

Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies

Remarks

Not applicable.