The Hebrew Bible, a Diversity Intensive course, invites students to explore ways of reading and understanding the literature of ancient Israel—Torah, Prophets, and Writings. We’ll consider the diversity within the biblical library, particularly in terms of the various ways these texts construct identities (of individuals, communities, and deities) and explore power relationships (such as between the powerful and the oppressed). We’ll also try to situate these texts within their wider Ancient Near Eastern contexts, as well as consider diverse interpretations by communities of readers over the last 2500 years. Through it all, we’ll wrestle with questions about how texts work and how our assumptions and experiences affect our interpretations.

Spring 2024 Details:

Required Texts (Spring 2024):

Most of our readings will be made available in free and accessible digital formats, either through Ramsey Library, Sefaria.org, or our course Moodle page. A few print resources will also be placed on library reserve. However, for those who may prefer to purchase or rent their own copies, here are the principal translations we’ll rely on:

  • Robert Alter (Norton): Alter has translated the entire Hebrew Bible (2019) but also published particular texts individually (Genesis, 1-2 Samuel, the Psalms) or in groups (Five Books of Moses, Former Prophets, etc.). Each publication includes commentary.
  • JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition (2023): This publication includes the English text with brief translators’ notes, but no commentary.
  • Edward Greenstein, Job: A New Translation (Yale), 9780300162349

I also highly recommend a one-volume critical edition with scholars’ intros and notes, such as the Jewish Study Bible (with the Jewish Publication Society’s earlier (1985) TANAKH translation; ebook available through our library) or the Norton Critical English Bible: Old Testament (with the King James translation of 1611). See the Further Reading page for additional introductory resources.

Past iterations: