Spring 2008

Instructor:  Joel S. Kaminsky                                   

Office Hours:  2:30-3:15 TTH, or by appointment MWF            

Phone:  585-3608 (Office)            586-0021 (Home)            E-Mail:  jkaminsk@smith.edu

Course Description

            Prophecy is a subject that is shrouded in misconceptions.  There are those who think of the biblical prophets as fortune tellers and charlatans and thus dismiss them as belonging to a primitive past that thankfully has been overcome.  Others take biblical prophecies so seriously that they believe they can have advanced knowledge of the way history will unfold by correctly understanding these ancient prophecies.

            In this class we will focus on both the institution of prophecy and the individuals who functioned as prophets in ancient Israel.  The class will explore the following issues in-depth:  What are the different types of prophets that are found within the Hebrew Bible?  What role did the prophets play within their larger society?  Did different prophets deliver different, or even conflicting prophecies?  Can one tell a true prophet from a false prophet?  What sort of person became a prophet?  What psychological dispositions do prophets exhibit?  If prophecy is not simply fortune telling, what is it? 

            The class will operate in a chronological fashion moving from the earliest instances of biblical prophecy to the latest.  It is hoped that by the end of the class students will have a much broader and clearer understanding of this most fascinating subject. 

Required Books 

1.The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha, 3rd College edition. It is best to buy a copy of this Bible because it is the one I will use in class.  Furthermore it is an excellent Bible and has many study tools within it.  Other versions which are in modern English (e.g. Jerusalem, New English) are acceptable if you already own one and cannot afford the Oxford.  The Authorized (meaning the King James) is not acceptable because it is not in modern English.  It is best to own a Bible that also includes the Apocrypha.

2. A History of Prophecy in Israel,  revised edition, by Joseph Blenkinsopp. (Abbreviated as HPI)

3. Old Testament Prophecy: From Oracles to Canon by Ronald E. Clements. (Abbreviated as OTP)

3. Course Packet available from Paradise Copies. 

Optional Books

1. Ancient Israel: A Short History from Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple rev. edition (paper) edited by Hershel Shanks.

Course Requirements

1) There will be a MidtermExam worth 25% of your course grade.  Tentatively scheduled for March 4th. 

2) You will write one research/exegetical paper approximately 9-10 double-spaced pages in length for 25% of your course grade. This will be an exegetical or historical-critical paper on either a text from the prophetic corpus or on an idea, event, or figure of direct relevance to the prophetic corpus, its ancient Near Eastern background, or its later history of interpretation. This paper must include a full bibliography and real footnotes. All topics must be approved by the Professor before you leave for spring break in mid-March. A rough draft of at least 4 pages double spaced with an outline of where you see things going, plus a preliminary annotated bibliography will be due on Tuesday April 8th in class. If you have it completed sooner please do submit it sooner. The Final draft will be due on Tuesday April 29th. It is imperative that students briefly consult with me to discuss topic selection and some starting bibliography, and if need be a second time to discuss their rough drafts. I will plan a library research tour at some point shortly before or after spring break. You should try to use articles and books that are more recent and stay away from ones over 50 years old, unless you are writing on the history of how a passage was interpreted through the ages.

3) There will be a Final Examination worth approximately 30% of your course grade. 

4) Class Attendance and Participation will be worth approximately 20% of your course grade.  If you skip more than 3 classes I will drop your grade.  As part of your participation grade you may be asked to introduce a particular biblical book, passage, or piece of secondary literature related to it and raise one or two issues/questions that you believe are worth further discussion. I reserve the right to ask all students to start regularly preparing summaries of the seconday literature or lists of questions/issues they wish to discuss if I find students are not preparing for class or regularly participating. 

5) In order to do well at any of the above requirements it is imperative that you do all of the readings required for each class.  If you are pressed for time before a particular session make sure to do at least the primary readings.  (I mean those that are selected from the Bible and other ancient sources).  But you must eventually complete all the secondary readings in order to do decently on the exams.

Course Outline

January 29th-Introduction to the Course

We will begin by giving a general chronology of the biblical period and a brief introduction to the Hebrew Bible and to the history of its composition.  Then we will turn toward the issue of prophecy more specifically and begin to explore some of the following questions:  What is prophecy?  Is it still alive today?  Are there different types of prophecy?  What is the best way to approach this subject:  Chronologically, according to biblical ordering, or thematically?  Which texts in the Hebrew Bible speak about prophets and prophecy?  How trustworthy are these documents?  When were they written and when were they edited? 

January 31st,  February 5th, and 7th Early Accounts of Prophecy in the Hebrew Bible.

A look at some of the early scattered references to prophecy in the Pentateuch and the books of Samuel and Kings.   

Assignments:

1) Read Gen. 20:7; Exodus 32-33, Number 11-14, 22-24; Judges 1-5; 1 Samuel 1-16; 19:18-24 ; 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 11-12.

2) Read 1 Kgs. 17-2 Kgs. 10.

3) Read Blenkinsopp HPI pp. 1-64.

4) Read "The Journey of Wen-Amon to Phoenicia," in Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, edited by James B. Pritchard (Princeton:  Princeton University, 1969), pp. 25-29.  Packet

5) Read “Prophecy in the Ancient Near East,” by Helmer Ringgren. Pages 1-11 in Israel’s Prophetic Tradition (edited by Richard Coggins; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982). Packet

6) Read “Elijah and Elisha in the Context of Israelite Religion,” by Thomas Overholt. Pages 94-111 in Prophets and Paradigms (ed. Stephen Breck Reid; JSOTSup 229; Sheffield Academic Press, 1996).  Packet

February 12th and 14th -Amos and Hosea

An examination of two of the earliest literary prophets in ancient Israel.  These lectures explore the messages of Amos and Hosea as well as literary and historical problems inherent in both books.  We hope to show that different prophets in Israel could have very different approaches and very different agendas.  

Assignments:

1) Read all of Amos and Hosea.

2) Read Blenkinsopp HPI pp. 65-90.

3) Read Clements, OTP 23-34.

4) Read A.J. Heschel, The Prophets, Volume 1, pp. 39-60 and Volume 2, pp. 1-11 and 59-86. Packet  (NOTE Read 59-86 in volume 2 for the 1st session on Amos).

February 19th, and 21st and 26th -Isaiah

An exploration of perhaps the greatest prophet in ancient Israel.  We will examine the role Isaiah plays in relation to the larger political structure in which he lives.

Assignments:

1) Read Isaiah 1-33, 36-39, 2 Samuel 7, 2 Kgs. 18-20, and Psalm 2.

2) Read Blenkinsopp HPI pp. 97-110.

3) “Isaiah and his Children,” by J. J. M. Roberts, pages 193-203 in Biblical and Related Studies Presented to Samuel Iwry, edited by Ann Kort (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1985). Packet

4) Read Jon D. Levenson, "The Jerusalem Temple in Devotional and Visionary Experience,” in Jewish Spirituality, Volume 1, edited by Arthur Green, (New York:  Crossroads, 1988), pp. 32-61.  Packet

5) Read Clements, OTP, 49-77.

6) Read A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, edited by Hayes and Miller (Philadelphia:  Westminster), pp. 353-363.  Packet

7) Read Clements, OTP, 35-48.

February 28th--Micah

A look at a prophet who was probably Isaiah's contemporary but who preached about different things in a different style, as well as being someone who represented a different group of interests.  One major difference between Micah  and Isaiah is that Micah is much more critical of the cult and the Jerusalem establishment than is Isaiah. 

Assignments:

1) Read all of Micah. 

2) Read Blenkinsopp HPI pp. 91-97.

3) “Micah’s Debate with Isaiah,” by Marvin Sweeney, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 93 (2001): 111-124. Packet

4) Read H. B. Huffmon, "The Covenant Lawsuit in the Prophets," Journal of Biblical Literature 78 (1959):  285-95.  Packet

March 4th- Midterm Exam

March 6th, 11th and 13th --Jeremiah

Perhaps the best known among the prophets of ancient Israel, Jeremiah predicted the inevitable end of the Southern kingdom.  This prophet is important because we have more personal information about him than about any other prophet in the Hebrew Bible.  We will focus class discussions on the nature of Jeremiah's vocation and on questions of true and false prophecy.             

Assignments:

1) Read all of Jeremiah and try to get a sense for the different types of material in this book.  Also read Deut 13: 1-5; 18:15-22, and 1 Kgs. 13.  

2) Read Blenkinsopp HPI pp. 111-121, 129-147 and 153-165. 

3) Read Blenkinsopp, Prophecy and Canon (London:  Notre Dame, 1977), pp. 24-53 and the accompanying notes 158-166.   [BS1135.B57].  Packet

4) Read Clements, OTP, 107-141 and 217-229.

March 25th, 27th and April 1st --Ezekiel

Definitely the strangest prophet in the biblical corpus.  An examination of this prophet's message and his life.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding how Ezekiel's words and symbolic deeds embody God's message to the community.   

Assignments:

1) Read all of Ezekiel; Genesis 18; Exodus 32-34.

2) Read Blenkinsopp HPI pp. 165-180.

3) “Ezekiel’s Dim View of Israel’s Restoration,” by Baruch Schwartz, pages 43-67 in The Book of Ezekiel: Theological and Anthropological Perspectives (ed., John Strong and M. ODell; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2000). Packet

4) Read Clements, OTP, 159-69.

5) “’Should our Sister be Treated like a Whore?’ A Response to Feminist Critiques of Ezekiel 23,” by Corrine Patton, pages 221-238 in The Book of Ezekiel: Theological and Anthropological Perspectives (ed., John Strong and M. ODell; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2000).  Packet

 April 3rd and 8th --Habakkuk, Nahum, Zephaniah,  Joel, and Obadiah

An examination of several lesser known books in the prophetic corpus.

Assignments:

1) Read Habakkuk, Joel, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Obadiah.

2) Read Blenkinsopp, HPI pp.  121-129,148-153, 222-226.

3) Read The Dead Sea Scrolls in English edited by Geza Vermes (Penguin, 1975), pp. 235-243.  Packet

4) Read James Sanders, “Habakkuk in Qumran, Paul, and the Old Testament,” pages 98-117 in Paul and the Scriptures of Israel (edited by Craig Evans; JSNTSup 83; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993). Packet

5) Read Richard Coggins, “An Alternative Prophetic Tradition?,” pages 77-94 in Israel’s Prophetic Tradition (Edited by Richard Coggins; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982). Packet

6) Zephaniah by Adele Berlin (Anchor Bible; New York: Doubleday, 1994), pages 9-16 and 31-47. Packet

7) Read Joel as ‘Literary Anchor’ for the Book of the Twelve,” by James Nogalski, pages 91-109 in Reading and Hearing the Book of the Twelve (ed. James Nogalski; Atlanta: SBL, 2000).   Packet.

April 10th -Second Isaiah

An examination of some of the most sublime prophecies on the Hebrew Bible that are of great importance to Judaism as well as Christianity.

Assignments:

1) Read Isaiah 34-35, 40-55; Psalms 95-99.

2) Read Blenkinsopp, HPI pp. 181-193.

3) Read Clements, OTP, 78-104.

April 15th Haggai and Zechariah

A look into the late biblical corpus to see some of the factional disputes that began to erupt in the second temple period.

Assignments:

1) Read all of Haggai and Zechariah 1-8.

2) Read Blenkinsopp, HPI pp. 194-209.

3) Read Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 by David Petersen (Old Testament Library; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1984), pp. 109-125. Packet

April 17th and  22nd Third Isaiah, Deutero-Zechariah, Malachi

A look at the closing chapters of the prophetic corpus in order to reflect upon the theological implications of the structure of the canon.

Assignments:

1) Read Isaiah 56-66; all of Ruth, Deut. 23, Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 8-13.  

2) Read Isaiah 24-27, Zechariah 9-14 and all of Malachi.

3) Read Blenkinsopp, HPI pp. 209-222 and 226-239.

4) Read “The Future Fortunes of the House of David: The Evidence of Second Zechariah,” by Carol and Eric Myers, pages 207-222 in Fortunate the Eyes that See (edited by Astrid Beck; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995). Packet

April 24th  and 29th –Daniel and Jonah

An examination of the literary artistry behind the very popular book of Jonah, with an eye toward what this book tells one about the difficulties prophets faced in antiquity.  A brief introduction to apocalyptic eschatology and the idea of resurrection of the dead, two important components of the book of Daniel. 

Assignments:

1) Read all of Jonah.  Read Daniel and 2 Maccabees 7.

2) Read Clements, OTP, 173-88.

3) Read “Daniel and His Social Word,” by John J. Collins, Interpretation 39 (1985): 131-143. Packet

4) Read Jonah and  read Blenkinsopp, HPI 240-245.

May 1st Wrap up Session

Assignments:

1) Read Clements, OTP, 191-216.

1800 B.C.E. = Abraham

1280 B.C.E. = The Exodus from Egypt

1240 B.C.E. = The Conquest of Canaan

1020 B.C.E. = King Saul

1000 B.C.E. = King David

960 B.C.E. = King Solomon

922 B.C.E. = The Empire that David and Solomon ruled over split into two smaller nations. These are Israel or Ephraim in the north and Judah in the south.

722 B.C.E. = The Northern Kingdom (Israel) fell when it was conquered by Assyria.

587 B.C.E. = The Southern Kingdom (Judah) fell when it was conquered be Babylonia.

538 B.C.E. = The Edict of Cyrus allowed the first exiles to return and rebuild the temple. This was the beginning of the 2nd temple period.

333 B.C.E. = Alexander the Great conquered the Persian empire and took all its holdings including what was once the territory of biblical Israel.

323 B.C.E. = Alexander the Great died and several Macedonian generals fought over his kingdom. Two major victors emerged. Ptolemy ruled over Egypt, North Africa, and sometimes owned Palestine. Seleucus ruled over Persia, Syria, Asia Minor, and at times owned Palestine.

165 B.C.E. = The Maccabees

63 B.C.E. = Pompey, a Roman general, took Jerusalem.

70 C.E. = The Second Temple was destroyed and Jerusalem was ransacked.

200 C.E. = The Mishnah was compiled by Yehuda HaNasi (Judah the Prince)