Reference Texts
- Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, Karl Elliger, Wilhelm Rudolph (eds.), Stuttgart, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft 1997.
- Alexander Rofé, Introduzione alla letteratura della Bibbia ebraica, 2 vols., Brescia, Paideia 2015 (tr. from Hebrew: Mbw’ lsprwt hmqr’, Jerusalem, Carmel Publishing House 2006).
- Robert Michaud, I patriarchi. Genesi 12-36, Brescia, Queriniana 1979.
- Walter Brueggemann, Genesi, Torino, Claudiana 2002 (tr. from English: Genesis, Louisville, John Knox Press 1982).
- Gerhard von Rad, Genesi, Brescia, Paideia 1978 (tr. from German: Das erste Buch Mose, Genesis, Gottingen, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 1972).
- Ephraim A. Speiser, Genesis, New Haven (Conn.), London, Yale University Press 1963 (2008).
- Emanuele Testa, Genesi, Roma, San Paolo 1981.
- George E. Mendenhall, "The Nature and Purpose of the Abraham Narratives", in Ancient Israelite Religion, edited by Patrick D. Miller, Jr., Paul D. Hanson, S. Dean McBride, Philadelphia, Fortress Press 1987.
- Ephraim A. Speiser, "The Biblical Idea of History in its Common Near Eastern Setting", in Oriental and Biblical Studies. Collected Writings of E. A. Speiser, edited by J. J. Finkelstein, Moshe Greenberg, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press 1967.
- Alexander Rofé, "Properties of Biblical Historiography and Historical Thought", in Vetus Testamentum 66/3 (2016), pp. 433-455.
- Guenter Stemberger, Il Giudaismo Classico. Cultura e storia del tempo rabbinico (dal 70 al 1040), Roma, Città Nuova Editrice 1991 (tr. from German: Das klassische Judentum, Muenchen, C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 1979).
- Guenter Stemberger, Introduzione al Talmud e al Midrash, Roma, Città Nuova Editrice 1995 (tr. from German: Einleitung in Talmud und Midrasch, Muenchen, C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 1992).
Other bibliography will be distributed directly to the students at the beginning of the course.
Learning Objectives
Course for advanced students; students will be enabled to carry out the specialized analysis and interpretation of ancient Hebrew texts, particularly concerning the patriarchal narratives, in order to develop critical abilities and research skills.
Prerequisites
The knowledge of Hebrew is required, in addition to a good knowledge of a modern European language.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and seminaries; courses with a language assistant and a laboratory of Hebrew language are available; practice on sites of relevant Jewish interest.
Further information
COURSES OF MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE (Dr. Dror Briskin, language assistant).
- Intermediate level: practice on academical texts.
- Advanced level: practice on modern texts and on Medieval cursive writing.
Type of Assessment
Discussions and short exercises during the semester. Final oral examination; if required a written examination is possible for the linguistic aspects of the course. The student's critical abilities will be evaluated.
Course program
THE PATRIARCHS OF THE BIBLE: TRADITION, MYTH, LITERATURE.
Literary analysis of selected texts about the patriarchs.