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Northern Baptist Seminary
OT 301 – THE PENTATEUCH (ONLINE)
Winter 2015
Jason Gile, Ph.D.
Affiliate Professor of Old Testament
630-664-9822
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This entry-level course will acquaint students with the history, theology, and critical study of the
first five books of the Old Testament. The focus is the proper interpretation of its message to
Israel and its abiding significance for the church.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student should leave the course able to:
1. demonstrate a basic understanding of the history and theology of the first five books of the Old
Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
2. reflect on the Pentateuch as an ancient document and the implications of this observation for
interpretation.
3. describe the problems associated with a single-authorship view of the Pentateuch, and to
summarize and evaluate the traditional, critical theory of its composition—the Documentary
Hypothesis.
4. understand the goals and methods of ancient (Israelite) historiography and summarize the
issues associated with writing a modern history of Israel.
5. discuss the purpose of the Torah in the life and faith of Israel.
6. discuss the role of the “Law” in the life and faith of the church.
REQUIRED READING
The Bible in a modern translation, e.g., the NRSV, ESV, or NLT.
Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 2005. 480 pages. $36.99. ISBN 0801027160.
Baker, David W. and T. Desmond Alexander, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch.
Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2003. 954 pages. $60.00. ISBN 0830817816.
(Abbreviated DOTP in the course schedule)
Longman, Tremper III. How to Read Genesis. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2005. 192
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pages. $16.00. ISBN 0877849439.
Topical Readings (See below)
(See below for Recommended Readings)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Readings: Students are expected to prepare for each session by reading the assigned pages on
time as indicated in the course schedule, including:
(a) the biblical texts in translation. Prior reading does not substitute.
(b) the passages from Victor Hamilton’s Handbook on the Pentateuch and all other
assigned topical readings. These amount to the core instructional material for the class.
2. Online Discussion: Students are required to participate regularly in the online forums.
The online forums are not “live.” The week is divided into two parts (A and B in the
course outline). The professor posts starter questions online. Each student makes posts to
the discussion forums, responding to questions by interacting with the readings,
classmates, and any other materials provided by the instructor. The course expectation is
at least three posts per student per week. The posts constitute 40% of the grade and are
judged by critical engagement with the readings. (See below for more guidelines.)
3. Quizzes: Students will take seven quizzes consisting of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and
short answer questions. You may not use course materials.
4. Paper: Students will write a 13-15 page paper on the role and purpose of the Torah in the life
and faith of Israel and the “law” in the life and faith of the church. What does the Old Testament
itself say about the purpose of the law for Israel? How does it relate to God’s purpose in electing
Israel? How does the New Testament understand the role of the law for the church? Further
instructions will be distributed in class. Papers will be due the last week of class.
Papers should be double-spaced with one-inch margins, using 12-point Times New Roman font.
Students must follow the style guidelines found in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of
Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed.; University of Chicago Press, 2013). Please
contact me early in the course if you have questions about what is expected.
ONLINE FORUMS
Students are required to make three substantial posts each week and three follow-up response
posts each week.
The substantial posts—amounting to somewhere between 400 and 500 words—should be
directed towards the starter questions provided by the instructor. These posts should draw from
the assigned readings, which are the primary material for the course. Students are expected to
demonstrate engagement with the readings by citing and evaluating them. Each substantial post
should include a follow-up discussion question for further discussion.
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The follow-up response posts should be directed toward the follow-up discussion questions
provided by your classmates. They will be shorter than the substantial posts and need not cite the
readings.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
The course will follow a set schedule during the week, progressing from Session A to Session B
and culminating in the quiz at the end of the week. The discussion forums will be live beginning
at 10:00am on Sundays and Wednesdays until 10:00pm two days later. You must take the quiz
between 10:00am Friday and 10:00pm Saturday.
Session A: Sun 10:00am – Tue 10:00pm
Session B: Wed 10:00am – Fri 10:00pm
Quiz: Fri 10:00am – Sat 10:00pm
STUDENT EVALUATION
40% Class Participation (quality of online posts)
30% Seven Quizzes Averaged
30% Paper
GRADING SCALE
A = 100-95 A- = 93-90
B+ = 89-87 B = 86-83
B- = 82-80 C+ = 79-77
C = 76-73 C- = 72-70
D+ = 69-67 D = 66-63
D- = 62-60 F = 59 and below
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments must be completed on time. Assignments completed late will be accepted only
on permission of the instructor and are subject to a penalty in grade. No assignments can be
completed after the last day of the quarter without prior permission from the professor for an
Incomplete. Such permission will not be granted unless the student can show good reason why
he or she was prevented, beyond his or her control, from (unforeseeably) completing the
assignment on time. Examples are serious illness or a death in the family. Difficulties such as
being too busy, computer problems, and not anticipating the time required to manage job, family,
and school responsibilities are not grounds for an Incomplete.
COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE
Week 1: Introduction to the Old Testament and the Pentateuch
A. Introduction to the Old Testament
Content Reading: Boadt, “Introducing the Old Testament,” 11-25 (15 pp)
Matthews & Moyer, “Introduction,” 9-43 (25 pp)
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Optional: Hill & Walton, “Historical Overview of OT Times” (21 pp)
= 40 pp
B. Introduction to the Pentateuch
Content Reading: Hill & Walton, “Introduction to the Pentateuch,” 47-61 (15 pp)
Friedman, “Torah (Pentateuch),” 605-608 (4 pp)
LaSor, Hubbard, Bush, “The Pentateuch” (12 pp)
Bandstra, “Survey of OT History,” 10-21 (12 pp)
= 45 pp
Week 2: Biblical Criticism
A. The Composition of the Pentateuch
Content Reading: DOTP, “Authorship of the Pentateuch,” 61-71 (11 pp)
Friedman, “Torah (Pentateuch),” 608-622 (15 pp)
DOTP, “Source Criticism,” 798-804 (7 pp)
Whybray, Making of the Pentateuch, 43-63, 129-31 (24 pp)
= 57 pp
B. History and Historiography
Content Reading: Davies, “Searching for ‘Ancient Israel’” (27 pp)
Shanks, “The Biblical Minimalists” (11 pp)
Walton, “Understanding the Past: Historiography” (21 pp)
= 59 pp
Quiz #1 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 3: Genesis 1-11
A. Creation
Bible Reading: Genesis 1-3
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 19-47 (29 pp)
Topical Reading: Walton, “Genesis 1 is Ancient Cosmology” (8 pp)
Longman, How to Read Genesis, 71-80 (10 pp)
Selections from Enuma Elish
Biologos.org, “Can Scientific and Scriptural Truth Be
Reconciled?” (3 pp)
= 50 pages
B. The Primeval History
Bible Reading: Genesis 4-11
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 57-77 (21 pp)
Topical Reading: DOTP, “Sons of God, Daughters of Man,” 793-797 (5 pp)
“Ancient Near Eastern Flood Accounts” ZIBBCOT 48-49 (2 pp)
Longman, How to Read Genesis, 81-87 (7 pp)
“Tower of Babel,” ZIBBCOT 60-65 (6 pp)
= 41 pages
Optional: Walton, “Mesopotamian Background of the Tower of Babel” (20
pp)
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Quiz #2 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 4: Genesis 12-50
A. The Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Bible Reading: Genesis 12-50
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 81-129 (41 pp)
Topical Reading: Women’s Bible Commentary, 18-21, 29 (5 pp) (22-28 optional)
Longman, How to Read Genesis, 88-98 (10 pp)
= 56 pages
B. The Purpose of Election
Bible Reading: Genesis 12
Content Reading: Wright, Mission of God, 222-264 (43 pp)
= 43 pages
Quiz #3 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 5: Exodus
A. The Exodus from Egypt
Bible Reading: Exodus 1-15
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 135-173 (39 pp)
Topical Reading: Mariottini, “The Name of God: Jehovah” (2 pp)
= 41 pages
B. The Giving of the Torah
Bible Reading: Exodus 19-40
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 184-226 (43 pp)
Topical Reading: Walton, “Covenants and Treaties” (12 pp)
= 58 pages
Quiz #4 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 6: Topics
A. The Purpose of the Torah
Bible Reading: Exodus 19; Deuteronomy 4-6
Content Reading: Block, “The Grace of Torah” (20 pp)
Kaiser, “The Law as God’s Gracious Guidance for
the Promotion of Holiness” (22 pp)
= 42 pages
B. The “Law” in the New Testament
Bible Reading: Matthew 5-6; Galatians 3; Romans 2-3, 5; 7; 9:30-10:8
Content Reading: IVP Dictionary of NT, “Law” (33 pp)
*For your paper, consult the readings on law in the bibliography.
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The Promised Land
Content Reading: DOTP, “Land, Fertility, Famine,” 487-491 (5 pp)
Kaiser, “The Promised Land” (10 pp)
= 48 pages
Begin to think about your paper on the purpose of the “law.”
Week 7: Leviticus
A. Sin and Sacrifice
Bible Reading: Leviticus 1-16
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 231-279 (49 pp)
Topical Readings: Klawans, “Concepts of Purity in the Bible” (7 pp)
= 56 pages
B. Holiness
Bible Reading: Leviticus 17-26
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 281-293 (13 pp)
Topical Reading: DOTP, “Sacrifices and Offerings,” 706-732 (27 pp)
DOTP, “Holy and Holiness,” 420-430 (11 pp)
= 51 pages
Quiz #5 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 8: Numbers
A. In the Wilderness (Part 1)
Bible Reading: Numbers 1-20
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 303-337 (35 pp)
Topical Reading: DOTP, “Sabbath,” 695-705 (see Num 15:32-36) (11 pp)
= 46 pages
B. In the Wilderness (Part 2)
Bible Reading: Numbers 20-36
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 341-360 (20 pp)
Topical Reading: DOTP, “Tabernacle,” 807-826 (20 pp)
De’ir Alla Inscription (cf. Numbers 22-24)
“Balaam in the Setting of the ANE,” ZIBBCOT 380-381 (2)
= 42 pages
Quiz #6 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 9: Deuteronomy
A. Remember the Past; Be Careful in the Future
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 1-11
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 367-383, 390-400 (27 pp)
Topical Reading: DOTP, “Deuteronomy, Book of,” 182-192 (11 pp)
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DOTP, “Covenant,” 139-154 (15 pp)
= 50 pages
B. The Deuteronomic Torah
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 12-34
Content Reading: Hamilton, Handbook, 402-435, 444-461 (50 pp)
= 50 pages
Quiz #7 due Saturday 10:00pm
Week 10: Wrap Up
A. Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua-Kings)
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Kings 17:7-20; 22-23
Content Reading: Knoppers, “Introduction,” 1-12, skim 13-18 (12 pp)
Noth, “Central Theological Ideas” (11 pp)
Richter, “Deuteronomistic History” (10 pp)
Nicholson, “Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomist” (8 pp)
= 43 pages
B. Preaching from the Pentateuch
Content Reading: Wright, “Preaching from the Law” (17 pp)
Block, “Preaching OT Law to NT Christians” (17 pp)
= 34 pages
Paper due Saturday at 10:00pm
TOPICAL READINGS (Listed according to the Course Schedule)
Boadt, Lawrence. “Introducing the Old Testament.” Pages 11-25 in Reading the Old Testament:
An Introduction. Mahwah, N. J.: Paulist, 1984.
Matthews, Victor H. and James C. Moyer. “Introduction.” Pages 19-43 in The Old
Testament: Text and Context. Second edition. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2005.
Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. “Historical Overview of Old Testament Times.” Pages
145-65 in A Survey of the Old Testament. Second edition. Grand Rapids, Ill.: Zondervan,
2000. [optional]
Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. “Introduction to the Pentateuch.” Pages 47-61 in A Survey
of the Old Testament. Second edition. Grand Rapids, Ill.: Zondervan, 2000.
LaSor, William Sanford, David Allan Hubbard, and Frederic William Bush. “The Pentateuch.”
Pages 3-14 in Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old
Testament. Second edition. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1996.
Bandstra, Barry L. Pages 10-21 in Reading the Old Testament: Introduction to the Hebrew
8
Bible. Fourth edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2009.
Friedman, R. E. “Torah (Pentateuch).” Pages 605-622 in The Anchor Bible Dictionary: Volume
6. Ed. D. N. Freedman. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Whybray, R. N. The Making of the Pentateuch: A Methodological Study. JSOTSup 53. Sheffield:
Sheffield Academic, 1987.
Davies, Philip R. “Searching for ‘Ancient Israel.’” Pages 22-48 in In Search of “Ancient Israel.”
JSOTSup 148. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 1992.
Shanks, Hershel. “The Biblical Minimalists: Expunging Ancient Israel's Past.” Bible Review 13
(1997): 32-39, 50-52. Available online: http://www.basarchive.org.
Walton, John H. “Understanding the Past: Historiography.” Pages 217-38 in Ancient Near
Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the
Hebrew Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 2006.
Walton, John H. “Proposition 1: Genesis 1 is Ancient Cosmology.” Pages 16-22 in The Lost
World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate. Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity, 2009.
Biologos.org, “Can Scientific and Scriptural Truth Be Reconciled?” Online:
http://biologos.org/questions/scientific-and-scriptural-truth/
“Ancient Near Eastern Flood Accounts.” Pages 48-49 in volume 1 of Zondervan Illustrated Bible
Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament. Edited by John H. Walton. Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Zondervan, 2009.
“Tower of Babel.” Pages 60-65 in volume 1 of Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds
Commentary: Old Testament. Edited by John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Zondervan, 2009.
Walton, John H. “The Mesopotamian Background of the Tower of Babel and Its Implications.”
Bulletin for Biblical Research 5 (1995) 155-175. Available online:
http://www.ibr-bbr.org/ibr_bbr.aspx. [optional]
Newsom, Carol A. and Sharon H. Ringe, eds. Women’s Bible Commentary. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox, 1998, pp. 18-28.
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. Downers
Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2006, pp. 222-64.
Mariottini, Claude. “The Name of God: Jehovah.” Online:
http://www.claudemariottini.com/blog/2010/02/name-of-god-jehovah.html.
Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. “The Promised Land: A Biblical-Historical View.” Bibliotheca Sacra 138
(1981): 302-12.
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Block, Daniel I. “The Grace of Torah: The Mosaic Prescription for Life (Deut. 4:1-8; 6:20-25).”
Bibliotheca Sacra 162 (2005): 3-22.
Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. “The Law as God’s Gracious Guidance for the Promotion of Holiness.”
Pages 177-99 in Five Views on Law and Gospel. Edited by Stanley N. Gundry. Grand
Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1999.
“Law.” Pages 674-706 in The IVP Dictionary of the New Testament. Edited by Daniel G. Reid.
Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2004.
Klawans, Jonathan. “Concepts of Purity in the Bible.” Pages 2041-47 in The Jewish Study Bible.
Edited by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Anderson, Gary. “Sacrifices and Sacrificial Offerings.” Pages 870-86 in The Anchor Bible
Dictionary: Volume 5. Ed. D. N. Freedman. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
“Balaam in the Setting of the Ancient Near East.” Pages 380-81 in volume 1 of Zondervan
Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament. Edited by John H. Walton.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2009.
Walton, John H. “Covenants and Treaties.” Pages 95-107 in Ancient Israelite Literature in Its
Cultural Context: A Survey of Parallels Between Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern
Texts. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1989.
Knoppers, Gary N. “Introduction.” Pages 1-18 in Reconsidering Israel and Judah: Recent
Studies on the Deuteronomistic History. Sources for Biblical and Theological Study 8.
Edited by Gary N. Knoppers and J. Gordon McConville. Winona Lake, Ind.:
Eisenbrauns, 2000.
Noth, Martin. “The Central Theological Ideas.” Pages 20-30 in Reconsidering Israel and Judah:
Recent Studies on the Deuteronomistic History. Sources for Biblical and Theological
Study 8. Edited by Gary N. Knoppers and J. Gordon McConville. Winona Lake, Ind.:
Eisenbrauns, 2000. Repr. from pages 89-99, 141-42 in The Deuteronomistic History.
JSOTSup 15. Sheffield: Sheffield Press, 1981.
Richter, Sandra L. “The Deuteronomistic History” in Dictionary of the Old Testament:
Historical Books. Edited by Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson. Downers Grove,
Ill.: InterVarsity, 2005.
Nicholson, E. W. “Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomist.” Pages 107-14 in Deuteronomy and
Tradition. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1967.
Wright, Christopher J. H. “Preaching from the Law.” Pages 47-63 in Reclaiming the Old
Testament for Christian Preaching. Edited by Grenville J. R. Kent, Paul J. Kissling, and
Laurence A. Turner. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2010.
Block, Daniel I. “Preaching Old Testament Law to New Testament Christians.” Ministry (May
2006): 5-11; (July 2006): 12-16; (September 2006): 15-18. Available online:
http://ministrymagazine.org/
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SUPPLEMENTAL BIBLIOGRAP.HY
Introductory Texts
Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the
Pentateuch. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. Anchor Bible
Reference. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Provan, Iain, V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman III. A Biblical History of Israel.
Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox, 2003.
Sailhamer, John H. The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition, and
Interpretation. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2009.
Vogt, Peter T. Interpreting the Pentateuch: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids: Kregel,
2009.
Thematic and Topical
Brueggemann, Walter. The Land: Place as Gift, Promise, and Challenge in Biblical Faith.
Second edition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002.
Clines, David J. A. The Theme of the Pentateuch. Second edition. London: Continuum, 1997.
Hoffmeier, James K. Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Commentaries
Sailhamer, John H. The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary. Grand
Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1992.
Walton, John H. ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament.
Volume 1: Genesis-Deuteronomy. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2009.
Hamilton, Victor P. Genesis. 2 vols. New International Commentary on the Old Testament.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990, 1995.
Walton, John H. Genesis. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis. 2 vols. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word, 1987, 1994.
Childs, Brevard. Exodus. Old Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1974.
Enns, Peter. Exodus. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus. 3 vols. Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1998, 2000, 2001.
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Wenham, Gordon J. Leviticus. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.
Milgrom, Jacob. Numbers. JPS Torah Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society,
1990.
Block, Daniel I. Deuteronomy. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
2012.
McConville, J. Gordon. Deuteronomy. Apollos. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2002.
Tigay, Jeffrey. Deuteronomy. JPS Torah Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society,
2003.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the act of passing off as one’s own the words or ideas of someone else without
providing proper acknowledgment or documentation. Plagiarism may include, but is not limited
to, the following:
Submitting as one’s own material copied, borrowed, or purchased from some other
source. This includes, but is not limited to, downloading term papers from the internet,
purchasing a paper from a “term paper mill,” reproducing parts or all of an article or book
section, copying another student’s paper, and so on.
Copying verbatim or taking ideas from a source without providing documentation (i.e.,
footnote or quotation marks).
Copying verbatim or taking ideas from a source and providing fraudulent or misleading
documentation.
Copying verbatim from a source without using quotation marks or a block quotation.
When copied material is not properly identified with quotation marks, readers are led to
believe that the material is the writer’s own words, when in fact it is someone else’s,
which is the essence of plagiarism. Providing a footnote after copied material without
using quotation marks is not adequate documentation and constitutes plagiarism.
Paraphrasing material that is too close to the original, whether documented properly or
not. A paraphrase is unacceptable if it merely changes a few words or transposes phrases
or sentences in the original source, but retains the bulk of the text as it originally
appeared.
Since plagiarism is a form of claiming for ourselves what belongs to another, it constitutes an
infringement on someone else’s intellectual property and is a form of stealing. It is a very serious
violation of Christian ethics and raises profound questions about fitness for Christian ministry.
The seminary takes these matters extremely seriously and will take disciplinary action against
those who engage in plagiarism.
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It is sometimes difficult to know whether or how to acknowledge and document certain kinds of
material. When in doubt, consult Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers,
Theses, and Dissertations, 8th ed., 2013, especially those sections dealing with using quotations
and footnotes. Students are expected to know and follow the guidelines in Turabian. Ignorance of
them is no excuse.
COURSE EVALUATION
Students must complete an online course evaluation using the seminary Moodle system at
http://moodle.seminary.edu in order to receive a final grade for the course. The evaluation will be
open for one week starting the last day of the term. If you need assistance connecting to Moodle or
accessing the evaluation, please send an email to [email protected].
