In exploring the ways various biblical, Jewish, Christian, and pagan communities in the past interpreted the Bible, we will investigate both how a given community influenced an understanding of the Bible and how the Bible influenced the understanding of that community. We will also give attention to the technology of interpretation, that is, the various methods employed by biblical exegetes. Among the texts, interpreters, and technologies we will consider: "inner biblical interpretation"; canonization; translation (the Septuagint, Targum); paraphrase (Philo, Josephus, Pseudo-Philo, Pirke d'rabbi Eliezar, Jubilees); typology and allegory (New Testament, Dead Sea Scrolls; Philo, Clement, Origen); "gapping" (Apocryphal Old Testament and New Testament, Midrash); pagan views of the Bible (Porphyry and Julian). While the course examines interpretations of the Old and New Testaments, the term "Bible" is used precisely because the contents of the Bible differed depending on the community.
Format: lecture/discussion. In addition, students will meet in pairs outside of class about once each week to discuss, analyze and answer questions about the readings. By using this traditional method of Jewish learning called Chevruta, students will both enact one of the practices they will be learning about and help one another gain insight into the materials being studied. Evaluation will be based on classroom participation, a term paper, and midterm and final exams. No prerequisites. Open to all classes. (This course is part of the Jewish Studies cluster.)