Notes on the Syllabus

The following syllabus was used for an upper-level course on the Hebrew
Bible at UC-Santa Barbara in the spring of 2017. The title (and level) suggested
something other than an introduction, but since this is the only course in the
catalog dedicated to the Hebrew Bible, I still had to assume little to no
knowledge of biblical scholarship and the historical-critical method, and in many
cases, even no familiarity with the Hebrew Bible at all. I decided that I will keep
this in mind in my choice of texts, but at the same time change the focus from
an introduction to aspects of literature and religion as the title anticipates.
For literary aspects, I focused on different genres of biblical literature,
something I also emphasized in my introductory course several years before that.
However, I forewent my goal of having students read most of the Hebrew Bible
in class. Experience taught me that when I asked students to read all of Genesis
for one class, we barely had time to discuss the Garden of Eden, the Selling of
Joseph, and the wife-sister narratives. So I decided to split Genesis into two
classes, and not have the students read all, but only the parts we would have time
to discuss.
The law was a meeting point between the literary genres and the religion of
the Israelites. From there I focused on some specific aspects of ritual
(circumcision and the Sabbath), examining its presentation in both narrative and
literature, and introducing some examples of reception history for both of them.
Two thematic classes in the end on biblical theology (the development of
monotheism, and sin and free will) were also added to give theoretical aspects
of the religion, in addition to the practices of ritual.
The students read less of the primary text than they did in my introduction
class, which was a struggle for me, but I also know that students are sometimes
frustrated by readings that are not addressed in class. They are mistaken, of
course, to think that reading is for an ulterior purpose, such as class preparedness.
Reading is for its own sake. Nevertheless, this syllabus addresses those concerns.
As always, the syllabus cannot reflect everything that went in class.
Assignments, handouts, discussions, and unexpected questions made this class
the full experience that it was. This was just the platform on which the rest could
grow.
 LITERATURE AND RELIGION OF THE HEBREW BIBLE
Aryeh Amihay

Details:
RGST 115A
T R 9:30am-10:45am
Room: Girvetz 2127

Office HSSB 3048

Office Hours: T & R 11:00am-12:00pm; 3:30pm-4:30pm
aamihay@religion.ucsb.edu

Books
Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. The Jewish Study Bible, 2nd edition. New York: Oxford UP,
2014. (ISBN: 978-0199978465). Henceforth: JSB2

Description and Mission

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the major genres of biblical literature,
alongside prominent tenets of religious thought and practice. In addition to acquaintance with the
biblical text itself, the course will introduce major trends in research, providing critical tools for the
study of the Hebrew Bible.
Students are expected to prepare primary readings before each class, and to bring questions, comments,
insights on oddities and incongruities in the text for discussion. These contributions will present
occasions for exploring the types of different problems involved in reading the Hebrew Bible, and will
thus allow students to further their understanding of the text and its challenges.

Tardiness and Absence

Students should be in class on time. Students are allowed four unjustified absences from class. The
instructor does not adjudicate as to what is a justified absence. Justified absence is according to
UCSB rules, or requires a justification from another UCSB faculty or staff.

Grading
Students should submit 3 assignments of their choice. Each one comprises 20% of the grade. Each
assignment is entirely optional, but the deadline for each one is binding, and students must submit three
by the deadline of the last one.
For the final, students will have the option of writing a ~5pp. exegesis paper, or a ~6pp. take-home,
open book exam.

Lack of presence, preparation or participation, may be penalized up to a full letter grade.

Students who have missed more than a third of the course will not be graded.

All students are required to have one office hour meeting with instructor during the course.
Grades will not be submitted for no-show students.
Class 1 (Apr. 4) Introduction

Baden, The Documentary Hypothesis

Class 2 (Apr. 6) Biblical Narrative: The Primordial Myths

Gn 1-11 (JSB2 10-27)

Steinmetz, The Family in Context

Class 3 (Apr. 11) Biblical Narrative: The Patriarchs

Wife/Sister: Gn 12:10-20, Gn 20, Gn 26 (JSB2 29-30, 39-40, 49-51)

Binding of Isaac: Gn 22 (JSB2 42-44)
Selling of Joseph: Gn 37 (JSB2 69-71)

Gunkel, Comparison of the Variants 12:9ff; 20; 26:6ff

Class 4 (Apr. 13) Biblical Narrative: Exodus and Wilderness

Ex 1-3, 14-20, 32-33 (JSB2 99-104, 125-144, 174-179)

Num 11-12, 16-17, 20 (JSB2 291-294, 300-304, 307-309)

Frymer-Kensky, Moses and the Cults

Class 5 (Apr. 18) Biblical Narrative: Saul and David

1 Sam 16-20, 24-25, 31 (JSB2 576-587, 591-595, 602-603)

2 Sam 1, 11, 13-14, 18-19 (JSB2 605-607, 622-624, 626-630, 636-640)
1 Ki 1 (JSB2 656-659)

Tov, The Composition of 1 Samuel 16 - 18 in the Light of the Septuagint Version

Class 6 (Apr. 20) Historiography: Kings, Destruction, and Reform

1 Ki 7-8, 12, 15 (JSB2 670-678, 684-687, 691-693)

2 Ki 17-20, 22-25 (JSB2 741-750, 752-761)

Monroe, rem Ideology and the Politics of Destruction

Class 7 (Apr. 25) Biblical Poetry: Psalms

Ps 1-3, 8, 22-24, 30, 48, 51, 72, 90, 92, 103-104, 114, 121, 126, 133, 137, 150 (JSB2 1269ff.)

Alter, Forms of Faith in Psalms

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Class 8 (Apr. 27) Biblical Poetry: Song of Songs

Song of Songs (JSB2 1561-1572)

Isa 5:1-7 (JSB2 775-776)
Pr 6:25-7:27 (JSB2 1448-1450)

Zakovitch, A Conservative Response to the Song of Songs

Class 9 (May 2) Biblical Law: Covenant and Reform

Ex 21-23 (JSB2 144-153)

Deut 12, 15, 17-18, 22, 25 (JSB2 372-375, 379-381, 384-388, 395-397, 401-402)

Levinson, The Revisionary Hermeneutics of Deuteronomy

Class 10 (May 4) Biblical Law: Sacrifice, Purity, and Holiness

Lev 1-5, 11-12, 15, 19 (JSB2 196-206, 217-222, 229-231, 240-243)

Milgrom, Leviticus 1-7: The Sacrificial System

Class 11 (May 9) Biblical Ritual: Circumcision

Gn 17 (JSB2 34-36)
Ex 4:24-26 (JSB2 106)
Ex 22:28-29 (JSB2 149)
Lev 12:1-3 (JSB2 220)
Josh 5:1-9 (JSB2 449-450)
Jer 4:4, 9:21-25 (Cf. Deut 10:16, 30:6; JSB2 915-916, 931-932, 369, 414)

Cohen, A Canonical History of Jewish Circumcision

Class 12 (May 11) Biblical Ritual: The Sabbath

Gn 1:1-2:3 (JSB2 10-13)

Ex 20:8-11 || Deut 5:12-15 (JSB2 140-141, 358-359)
Ex 35:1-3 (JSB2 182)
Num 15:32-36 (JSB2 299-300)
2 Ki 4:22-23 (JSB2 717-718)
Isa 56:1-8, 58:11-14 (JSB2 877-878, 882-883)
Jer 17:19-27 (JSB2 950-951)
Neh 13:15-22 (JSB2 1701-1702)

Chavel, Novella III: Num 15:32-36

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Class 13 (May 16) The Prophets: Pre-Classical Prophets
1 Sam 3:1, 9, 28 (JSB2 553, 562-564, 598-599)
2 Sam 12:1-25 (JSB2 624-625)
1 Ki 13, 17-19, 21 (JSB2 687-689, 695-701, 704-706)
2 Ki 2-5 (JSB2 712-721)

Overholt, Elijah and Elisha in the Context of Israelite Religion

Class 14 (May 18) The Prophets: Social Reformers and Political Commentators
H 1-3 (JSB2 1132-1136)
Am 1-5, 9 (JSB2 1166-1176, 1179-1181)
Isa 1, 5, 10 (JSB2 766-770, 775-778, 786-789)
Jer 2, 7, 9, 37 (JSB2 909-913, 925-927, 929-932, 993-995)
Ezek 17, 20, 23 (JSB2 1060-1062, 1065-1068, 1072-1075)
[Note the cult polemic: 1 Sam 15:22; Isa 1:11-20; Ho 6:6; Am 4:4-5, 5:4-5, 21-25; Mi 6:6-8]

Houston, Rethinking the Background of Social Criticism in the Prophets

Class 15 (May 23) The Prophets: The Perils of Prophecy

Am 7 (JSB2 1177-1178)
Jer 15:10; 26, 28, 32, 36-38 (JSB2 944, 968-970, 972-973, 982-985, 991-997)
Jonah (JSB2 1188-1192)

Schellenberg, An Anti-Prophet among the Prophets? On the Relationship of Jonah to Prophecy

Class 16 (May 25) Biblical Theology: Polytheism, Henotheism, Monotheism

Ps 82, 115, 29 (JSB2 1361, 1398-1399, 1298)
Gn 6:1-4 (JSB2 19)
Job 1:6-12 (JSB2 1497)
Isa 6:1-7 (JSB2 778-779)
Ex 3:11-18; 15:11-18 (JSB2 103-104, 128-129)
Deut 4, 32:8-9 (JSB2 352-355, 419)
Isa 45 (JSB2 856-859)

Smith, The Emergence of Monotheistic Rhetoric in Ancient Judah

Class 17 (May 30) Biblical Theology: Sin, Retribution, and Free Will
Gn 3-4 (JSB2 14-18)
Ex 7:2-5, 14:4-5, 14:27-28 (JSB2 109, 126-7)
Num 22, 24 (JSB2 312-314, 316-318)
Deut 30 (JSB2 414-415)
Ju 2 (JSB2 499-501)
Isa 6:8-13 (JSB2 779-780)
Ex 20:1-6, 34:5-7 (JSB2 139-140, 179-180)
Ezek 18 (JSB2 1062-1064)

Joyce, Ezekiel and Moral Transformation

5 Amihay, Lit&Rel of HB
Class 18 (June 1) Wisdom Literature

Pr 20, 22, 27, 30-31 (JSB2 1467-1468, 1470-1472, 1479-1480, 1483-1487)

Job 1-6, 28, 38-42 (JSB2 1496-1506, 1533-1534, 1548-1556)
Ecc 1-3, 9, 11-12 (JSB2 1602-1606, 1612, 1615-1618)

Fox, Three Theses on Wisdom

Class 19 (June 6) Women of the Bible

Gn 2-3, 38-39 (JSB2 13-16, 71-74)

Ju 4-5, 11 (JSB2 504-509, 522-524)
Ruth (JSB2 1574-1580)
Esther (JSB2 1621-1634)

Bal, Between Altar and Wondering Rock: Toward a Feminist Philology

Class 20 (June 8) Conclusion

Geller, The Religion of the Bible (JSB2 1978-1997)

Levenson, The Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, and Historical Criticism

Sources of Secondary Readings

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Poetry. New York: Basic Books (division of HarperCollins), 1985.
Baden, Joel S. The Composition of the Pentateuch. Renewing the Documentary Hypothesis. New Haven: Yale University Press,
2012.
Bal, Mieke. Between Altar and Wondering Rock: Toward a Feminist Philology. In Anti-Covenant. Counter-Reading
Womens Lives in the Hebrew Bible, edited by Mieke Bal, 211-31. Sheffield: Almond Press, 1989.
Chavel, Simeon. Oracular Law and Priestly Historiography in the Torah. Tbingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014.
Cohen, Shaye J. D. Why Arent Jewish Women Circumcised? Gender and Covenant in Judaism. Berkeley: University of California
Press, 2005.
Fox, Michael V. Three Theses on Wisdom. In Was There a Wisdom Tradition? New Prospects in Israelite Wisdom Studies,
edited by Mark R. Sneed, 69-86. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015.
Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. Moses and the Cults: The Question of Religious Leadership. Judaism 34.4 (1985): 444-52.
Geller, Stephen A. The Religion of the Bible. In The Jewish Study Bible, 2nd ed., edited by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi
Brettler. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
Gunkel, Hermann. Genesis. Translated by Mark E. Biddle. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1997.
Houston, Walter J. Exit the Oppressed Peasant? Rethinking the Background of Social Criticism in the Prophets. In
Prophecy and the Prophets in Ancient Israel. Proceedings of the Oxford Old Testament Seminar, edited by John Day, 101-16.
New York and London: T&T Clark, 2010.
Joyce, Paul M. Ezekiel and Moral Transformation. In Transforming Visions. Transformations of Text, Tradition, and Theology
in Ezekiel, edited by William A. Tooman and Michael A. Lyons, 139-58. Eugene, Ore.: Pickwick, 2010.
Levenson, Jon D. The Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, and Historical Criticism. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster / John Knox
Press, 1993.
Levinson, Bernard M. Deuteronomy and the Hermeneutics of Legal Innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus. A Book of Ritual and Ethics. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004.

6 Amihay, Lit&Rel of HB
Monroe, Lauren A.S. Josiahs Reform and the Dynamics of Defilement. Israelite Rites of Violence and the Making of a Biblical Text.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Overholt, Thomas W. Elijah and Elisha in the Context of Israelite Religion. In Prophets and Paradigms. Essays in Honor
of Gene M. Tucker edited by Stephen Breck Reid, 94-111. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.
Schellenberg, Annette. An Anti-Prophet among the Prophets? On the Relationship of Jonah to Prophecy. Journal for
the Study of the Old Testament 39.3 (2015): 353-71.
Smith, Mark S. The Origins of Biblical Monotheism. Israels Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts. Oxford and New
York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Steinmetz, Devora. From Father to Son: Kinship, Conflict, and Continuity in Genesis. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster / John
Knox Press, 1991.
Tov, Emanuel. The Composition of 1 Samuel 16-18 in the Light of the Septuagint Version. In Empirical Models for
Biblical Criticism, edited by Jeffrey H. Tigay, 97-130. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1985.
Zakovitch, Yair. A Woman of Valor, Eshet Hayil (Proverbs 31.10-31): A Conservative Response to the Song of
Songs. In A Critical Engagement. Essays on the Hebrew Bible in Honour of J. Cheryl Exum, edited by David J. A. Clines
and Ellen van Wolde, 401-13. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2011.

7 Amihay, Lit&Rel of HB