PENTATEUCH

COURSE SYLLABUS
Zion Bible College
OT1321-01
Fall 2010
Tuesdays, 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM Classroom Building 108
Thursdays, 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM & 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM Classroom Building 108

Rev. Paul Conway, Associate Professor, MDiv., DMin. Candidate, 2013

Office: Classroom Building 110
Office phone: (978) 478-3457
E-mail: Pconway@zbc.edu
Office Hours
Tuesdays, 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
Thursdays 1:45 PM – 2:25 PM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course gives attention to the major theological themes of the Pentateuch such as: creation,
theocracy, the Exodus, the covenants, the Law, the Tabernacle and the Promised Land.
Consideration is given to original language, archaeology, geography and comparative studies.
The importance of the Torah to the identity of the Jewish people and its relevance to the New
Testament is explored.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. The student will demonstrate a general knowledge of the Pentateuch through test
performance.
2. The student will be able to dialog on many of the major themes contained in first five
books of the Old Testament.
3. The student will recognize the literary structures of the Pentateuch such as chiasms,
ancient near eastern narratives, patriarchal cycles, casuistic and apodictic law and
covenants.
4. The student will be able to identify and dialog on the elements of the Pentateuch that find
their context in the ancient near east such as creation and flood epics, covenants, law
codes, patriarchal life etc.
5. The student will be able to calculate the mathematics of the Exodus dating from the high
and low dating theories.
6. The student will be able to define and dialog the theories of Israel’s origins in
contemporary scholarship.
7. The student will enhance the power of observation measured by reflection.
8. The Student will interact with the text measured by class discussion.
9. The student will improve communication skills measured by class discussions.
10. The student will be able to follow the geographic itinerary of the Israelites from Ur with
Abraham to the plains of Moab prior to the conquest.
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11. The student will understand the moral and spiritual lessons for faith and practice through
the lives on the main characters of the Pentateuch narrative.
12. The student will be inspired for graduate level studies in exegesis.
13. The student will develop the discipline of summarizing the point of any given pericope,
(passage) in the Pentateuch for homiletic and hermeneutic purposes.

TEXTBOOKS:
The Holy Bible: ESV preferred but other versions acceptable.

Hamilton,Victor P. Handbook on the Pentateuch 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI.:

Baker Academics, 2005.

REQUIREMENTS FOR OPTION A

1. Tests
There will be three scheduled tests covering the preceding lectures. All reading, lectures and
discussion board postings serve to prepare students for the texts and content needing
comprehension for essays on the exams. The professor will seek to review prior to tests so
students are aptly prepared. However, he is not obligated to do so if time constraints forbid
it. No rescheduling of test’s will be permitted without a note from the academic Dean.

NOTE: The final test will contain new material but will also have comprehensive
questions of previous tests to ensure students have studied for retention rather than
cramming for convenience.

2. Quiz’s There will be six quiz’s throughout the semester. Students will only be quized on
prior lectures or homework. If a student was absent for preceeding classes, it will be their
responsibility to review the previous course material and come to class prepared regardless of
their absence. No rescheduling of Quiz’s will be permitted without a note from the academic
Dean.

3. Written Work: Will consist of reflective essays, in class assignments that deal with lecture
material, reading assignments and journal entries. They will be submitted in note book
format.

4. Reading
Students are required to complete all assigned reading detailed in the Schedule and Due
Dates below. A reading verification will be taken on each test. All prior material from
lectures will be what is verified in the form of a question.

GRADING PROCEDURES:

Test: All tests will be administered on the Zion Grading scale (See student handbook for grade
divisions). Tests will be administered at the beginning of class on the scheduled date and must
be completed in the class time allotted. All tests will be based on a 1-100% grading scale with
numeric value assigned to each section according to the teacher’s assessment.

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Quiz’s All Quiz’s will be based on prior lectures and assignments on a scale of 0% - 100% with
the Zion grading system.

Written Work: Will be collected twice throughout the semester and graded on the quality of
content and the students reasoning process. Missing assignments will result in a grade penalty.

Reading: Each test will be accompanied by a reading verification. The professor will
emphasize which sections to read since your assignments will be based on selected texts.

GRADING PROCEDURE:

Grading Scale
Exam#1………..…………………….20%
Exam#2……….……………………..20%
Exam#3……….……………………..20%
Quizzes………………………….…..15%
Written Work……………………......15%
Reading……………………….……..10%

Total………………………………..100%

DISCLAIMER:

Any aspect of this syllabus is subject to change at the professor’s discretion. However, this
syllabus offers an aim and desired goal but is by no means meant to lock the subjects or format.

SHEDULE & DUE DATES:

Week Lecture Reading

1 Introduction Genesis 1-3

Textbook: Pg. 19-27

Quiz #1 Thursday, Jan 27th

Cain & Abel: Gen. 4:1-26;
2 The Flood: Gen. 6:1-22; 7:11-12;
8:1-5, 15-22; 9:1-17;
Textbook: 61-72
Genesis
Tower of Babel Gen. 11:1-9
Abraham: Gen. 11:27-32; 12:1-9;
15:1-19; 22:1-19
Textbook: 99-101

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Isaac: Gen. 21:1-21;

3 Jacob: Gen. 25:19-34; 27:1-46;

28:10-22; 31:1-18, 25-37; 32:1-12,
22-32
Genesis
Joseph: Gen. 37:1-36; 39:1-41:57;
45:1-28; 50:15-26

4 Quiz #2 Thursday, Feb. 10th

Genesis Intro. To the Exodus: Ex. 1:1-22

5 Exam #1
February 17th

Birth and Call of Moses Ex. 2:1-10;

3:1-4:17
6 Exodus

Serpent Confrontation: 7:8-13

Plagues: Ex. 7:14-11:10
Textbook: 157-167
Quiz #3 Thursday, March 3rd
Written Work Due March 3rd
Exodus
7 Passover: Ex. 12:1-30
Textbook: 167-169
Date of Exodus: Ex 20:40; 1 Ki. 6:1
Theology of Exodus.: Ex. 13:17-
14:31
Wandering before Sinai: Ex. 15:22-
17:7
Textbook: 177-183

8
Spring Break
Friday, March 4th – Sunday, March 13th

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Exodus Covenant at Sinai: Ex. 21:1-21;

9 24:1-18
Leviticus Textbook: 191-207

Textbook: 216-222

Sacrifices: Lev. 1:1-7:38

Textbook: 231-246
Aaron and Sons: Lev. 8:1-36; 10:1-
20
Festivals: Lev. 16; 23:1-44; 25:1-55
Textbook: 271-279

Quiz #4 Thursday, March 24th

Nazarite Vow: Num. 6:1-21
Priestly Blessing: 6:22-27
10 Numbers Cloud/Fire: Num:9:15-23
Fire from the Lord: Num. 11:1-3
Quail: 11:4-35
Miriam’s Opposition: 12:1-16

10 Exam #2
Thursday, March 31st
Spying out the Land: Num. 13-14
11 Korah’s Rebellion: 16:1-50
Numbers Aarons Rod: Num. 17:1-12

Textbook: 322-334

Water from the Rock: Num. 20:1-13

12 Bronze Serpent: Num. 21:4-20
Numbers Balaam: Num. 22:1-25:18
Textbook: 345-352

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Quiz #5 Thursday, April, 14th

Written Work April 14th
Deut. 1:1-5; 3:27-29
13 Deuteronomy Passing on the Faith: Deut. 4:1-14
Idolatry: Deut. 4:15-31
Shema: 6:1-14
Don’t Forget the Lord: Deut. 8:1-20
One place to worship: Deut. 12:1-32

Deut. 16:1-17
Textbook:414-416
14 Deuteronomy
Textbook: 390-395
Detestable Practices: Deut. 18:1-14
The Prophet: Deut. 18:15-22
First Fruits/Tithes: Deut. 26:1-15
Life/Death: Deut. 30:11-20
Joshua’s Succession: 31:1-8
Moses’ Death: 32:48-52; 34:1-12
Textbook: 418-419

15
Thursday, Easter Break
April 21st

16th Remaining Lectures

Exam Review
Quiz #6 Thursday, April 28th

17th
Finals Week

POLICIES

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class periods. Please be aware that absences are
granted for illness, personal matters, or for emergencies. It is important for students to keep
track of their own absences and late arrivals carefully. Please see the Student Handbook for the
Absence Policy. There will be a very short break mid-class, students are expected to remain in
class at other times except for medical reasons.

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OT1321-01 7 P. Conway

If a student arrives late to class it is their responsibility to inform the teacher after class that they
are present. Otherwise they may be marked absent for the class. It is a good idea to date your
notes each class in case attendance discrepancies should arise.

In order to be considered present in class, students must present themselves in an appropriate

manner, following the guidelines of the Student Handbook.

Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. All others will
be considered late. Assignments should be written in Turabian format.

All late assignments are to be turned into the instructor’s office, not placed in campus mail.
There are no exceptions to this policy unless mandated by the office of the Academic Dean.

Examinations: Any missed exam may be made up if the exam was missed due to illness or other
excused absence (see Student Handbook). A make-up exam will also be allowed if the
circumstances are urgent and approved by the instructor prior to the exam.

Extensions and Late Papers: Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1)
hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended serious
illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note and signature
of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or family emergencies granted
as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean of Students; 4) school-approved
activities. If the student meets one of these exceptions, a ―Request for Extension Form‖ must be
filled out. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the
Academic Dean. If your paper is turned in after attendance is taken on the due date, you will
receive an automatic point deduction of five (5) points. For each twenty-four hour period (this
includes Saturday’s, Sunday’s and school breaks) the paper is not turned in, there will be a
forfeiture of five (5) points from the total points. If the paper is not turned in within five twenty-
four hour periods after the due date and time, an automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for
the grade with no chance of making up the paper/grade. If a hard copy cannot be presented by
the specified time and hour, an email copy may be presented for verification of completion with
a hard copy following

Plagiarism: A student who submits written material as his/her own work which has been copied
in whole or in part from another person’s work without acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism.
Material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another
writer, must be identified by the use of quotation marks and documentation with specific citation
of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise be attributed to the origin author.

Copying another student’s paper, with or without permission, or using his/her ideas with only
minimal reworking, is plagiarism, as is the copying from printed books and magazines without
giving credit to the original source. Any student who submits a plagiarized paper or who permits
another person to
copy his/her work is subject to any of the following actions: a grade of ―zero‖ or ―F‖ for the
work, failure in or expulsion from the class, being reported for further disciplinary action.

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Cheating: A student who engages in dishonest behavior such as: using unauthorized notes or
material when taking an examination, copying answers to examination questions, or engaging in
securing unauthorized copies of examination questions (including aiding another person in doing
so), is subject to the action or penalty indicated above. Copying another person’s class work
and/or homework and submitting it as one’s own, or having another person perform an
assignment and submitting it as having originated from themselves personally is guilty of
plagiarism—which is cheating. Such students will therefore be subject to the above discipline.
Faculty members are to submit all such cases on the appropriate ―Plagiarism Form‖ to the Office
of the Dean of Academics.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alexander, Desmond T. Rosner, Brian S., Carson, D.A., Goldsworthy, Graeme. New Dictionary
of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2000.

Arnold, Bill T & Beyer, Bryan E. Encountering the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 1999.

Ashley, T. R. The Book of Numbers. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub., Co., 1993.

Benjamin, Don C and Matthews, Victor H.. Old Testament Parallels. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist
Press, 1997.

Bercot, David W. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub.,
1998.

Bromiley, Geoffrey. W. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1-4. Grand
Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982.

Craigie, P.C. The Book of Deuteronomy, NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub., House,
1976.

Christensen, Duane L. WBC, Deuteronomy 1-11. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers,
1991.

Currid, John D. Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House,
1997.

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Backer Book
House, 2001.

Gaebelein, Frank E. ad. et. The Expositors Bible Commentary Vol. 2-3. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Pub. Co., 1990.

Garrett, Duane. Rethinking Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Focus Publications, 2000.

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Grundem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. Co., 2000.

Hamilton, Victor. Handbook on the Pentateuch 1st and 2n.d ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House, 1982.

_____________. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17 NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Pub., House, 1990.

Hartley, John, E. New International Biblical Commentary Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub.,
2000.
Hoereth, Alfred. Archaeology and the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House,
1998.

Hoffmeir, James K. Israel in Egypt. Oxford, London: Oxford University Press, 1996.

______________. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18-50 NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Pub. House, 1995.

Lasor William Sanford, ad. et. Old Testament Survey 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s
Pub., Co., 1996.

Levine, Baruch A. Anchor Bible Commentary, Numbers 1-20, NY, NY: Doubleday Press, 1993.

______________. Anchor Bible Commentary, Numbers 21-36. NY, NY: Doubleday Press,
2000.

Matthews, Victor H. Manors and Customs in the Bible. Peabody MA: Hendrickson Pub, Co.,
1991.

Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus 1-16. Anchor Bible Commentary. NY NY: Doubleday Press, 1991.

_____________. Leviticus 17-22. Anchor Bible Commentary NY NY: Doubleday Press, 2000.

_____________. Leviticus 23-27. Anchor Bible Commentary NY NY: Doubleday Press, 2000.

Propp, William H. Exodus 1-18. Anchor Bible Commentary NY NY: Doubleday Press, 1998.

Sailhamer, John H. The Pentateuch as Narrative. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Co.,
1999.

Sasson, Jack M. Civilizations of the Ancient Near East Vol. III & IV. Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson Publishers, 2000.

Stuart, Douglas. The New American Commentary Vol. 2 Exodus Nashville, TN: Broadman and
Holman pub., 2006.

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VanGemeren, Willem A. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and

Exegesis, Vol. 1-5. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. Co., 1997.

Wenham, Gordon J., ad. Et. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove, Il: Inter Varsity Press,
2004.

___________. Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 1. Genesis 1-15 Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, 1987.

________________. Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 1. Genesis 16-50 Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, 1987.

Wenham, G.J. The Book of Leviticus, NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub., Co., 1979.

W.H. Bellinger Jr. New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub.,
2001.

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