Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages

Faculty

Professors
Alan M. Cooper
Stephen A. Geller
David Marcus
Benjamin D. Sommer

Associate Professor
Robert A. Harris, Chair

Assistant Professors
Stephen P. Garfinkel
Walter Herzberg
Amy Kalmanofsky

Adjunct Associate Professor
Sharon Keller

Program

The Department of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages trains students in the disciplines that are required to interpret the Bible. It offers courses leading to the MA, DHL, and PhD degrees. The history, languages, and cultures of ancient Israel and the ancient Near East are studied through a wide range of courses centered on the Biblical Period (second and first millennium BCE). Fluency in Biblical, Postbiblical, and Modern Hebrew is acquired for the study of classic and contemporary Bible studies. Students are also schooled in comparative Semitics.

Students are encouraged to write for and assist in the editing of the prestigious Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society, which is housed at JTS within the Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages Department. An active student Bible society and weekly department meetings with faculty encourage ongoing dialogue.

Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages from Academic Bulletin

Degrees

Ryan Higgins, student at The Graduate School, discusses the MA program in Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages:

Fall 2010–Spring 2011 Courses

Semester Course Number Course Title
Fall BIB 1014: Survey of Biblical Literature II
Fall BIB 2014: Advanced Survey of Biblical Literature II
Fall BIB 3009: Historical Critical Methodologies
Fall BIB 4826: Introduction to Close Reading of Torah, Rashi, and Commentaries
Fall BIB 5011: Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Fall BIB 5013: Introduction to Rashi
Fall BIB 5204: Readings in Biblical Eschatology and Apocalyptic
Fall BIB 5226: The Book of Psalms
Fall BIB 5308: The Book of Leviticus
Fall BIB 5325: Readings in Second Isaiah
Fall BIB 5415: Intermediate Akkadian
Fall BIB 5560: Biblical Grammar
Fall BIB 5584: An Introduction to the Masorah
Fall BIB 5825: Biblical Texts Used in the Liturgy
Fall BIB 6106: Hebrew Bible: Torah and Early Prophets
Fall BIB 7519: Advanced Exegesis: Keli Yeqar
Fall BIB 9226: The Book of Psalms
Spring BIB 1013: Survey of Biblical Literature I
Spring BIB 2013: Advanced Survey of Biblical Literature I
Spring BIB 5012: Survey of the Pentateuch
Spring BIB 5401: The Book of Judges
Spring BIB 5430: The Aramaic of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Spring BIB 5502: Moses Traditions
Spring BIB 5509: The Book of Job
Spring BIB 5896: Song of Songs
Spring BIB 6060: Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
Spring BIB 6105: Ancient Israel: History, Culture, Religious Concept
Spring BIB 6563: Introduction to Miqraot Gedolot
Spring BIB 7737: The Land of Israel in Biblical Thought
Spring BIB 7755: Facing Destruction and Exile: Sixth Century BCE Hebrew Bible Theology