Applied Biblical Hebrew: Exegesis, Vocalization, and Interpretive Tradition

Reading Biblical Hebrew fluently is only the beginning. The deeper goal — pursued by rabbinic commentators, biblical scholars, and Christian theologians alike — is exegesis: drawing meaning from the text by attending carefully to its language. This course bridges the gap between basic grammar and the kind of close, historically informed reading practiced in serious academic and religious study. By the end of this course you will be able to engage in basic philological exegesis of Hebrew biblical passages, articulate how vocalization choices in the Masoretic Text affect meaning, compare a passage across classical commentators (Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides) and modern critical scholarship, and identify key text-critical issues including Ketiv/Qere readings. What you will learn: - The Masoretic text tradition: how the Masoretes fixed consonantal text, vowels, and cantillation - Ketiv and Qere: the significance of the written versus the read form of a word - Introduction to the classical commentators: Rashi's plain-sense (peshat) approach, Ibn Ezra's grammatical precision, Nachmanides' mystical layers - How to write a structured exegetical note on a single verse - Survey of textual variants using the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls as comparanda - Poetic meter and parallelism in the Psalms and prophetic literature - The role of etymology and root analysis in traditional and modern interpretation - Hermeneutical frameworks: peshat (plain sense), derash (homiletical), and allegorical readings The course is organized around six extended case studies, each centered on a specific passage chosen for its interpretive richness — including creation narratives, prophetic oracles, and wisdom poetry. For each case study, readings present the Hebrew text with grammatical notes, followed by excerpts from classical commentaries in translation, and then a worked exegetical analysis. Reflection prompts ask you to form your own interpretive position and engage with competing readings. Self-assessment checklists help you evaluate the quality and rigor of your exegetical work. This course is designed for learners who have completed at least one year of Biblical Hebrew study and are comfortable with basic noun and verb parsing. It is suitable for graduate-level students in theology, Jewish studies, or religious studies who want to integrate linguistic and interpretive methods. It is also appropriate for advanced lay learners engaged in serious Torah study or biblical scholarship. No further prerequisites beyond basic Hebrew reading are required to begin.