PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS; INPUT WELCOME

Syriac II (HEB 606) — Spring 2007

Department of Hebrew and Semitic Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Professor Michael Fox

1338 Van Hise, 262-9785; e-mail: mvfox@wisc.edu

Office Hours: M 9:45–10:45, and by appointment. Better: just knock.

Goals of the Course

1. A review of Syriac phonology and morphology using Muraoka, Classical Syriac.

2. A deeper knowledge of Syriac syntax.

3. Experience in reading the various Syriac scripts and in vocalizing unpointed Syriac.

4. A working knowledge of the Peshitta for textual criticism.

5. An introduction to biblical commentaries written in Syriac.

6. Fluency in reading Syriac. Note: For greater specificity, students are requested to use Nestorian pronunciation of zqofa (approximately “aw”) plus spirantization at least of the bet, kaph, and taw. (Hebrew names can be used for consonants.)

Textbooks

Muraoka, Takamitsu. Classical Syriac: A Basic Grammar with Chrestomathy. Porta Linguarum Orientalum, 19. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 1997. [N.B. The bibliography of Syriac studies by S. P. Brock, pp. 124–47.]

Nöldeke, Theodor. Compendius Syriac Grammar. 2d ed. Trans. by James A. Crichton. Reprinted. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2001.

Payne Smith, J. A Compendious Syriac Dictionary. Reprint. Oxford: Clarendon, 1957.

Reader: in Bob’s Copy Shop, University Square.

Requirements

1. Excellence

1. Class preparation and participation. In preparing a text for class, it is expected that you:

a. identified lexically and morphologically all words in the text

b. be able to read the text fluently

c. be able to verbally vocalize the text, if it is unpointed

d. When reading Peshitta: also read the MT and (ideally) the LXX to the passage.

e. Note: you are responsible for the entire passage, whether or not it is read in class.

2. Quizzes and worksheets. We will have quizzes and worksheets to assist in solidifying Syriac morphology.

3. Essay. Select a passage of 10 verses from anywhere in the OT and prepare a textual commentary to the Peshitta. In other words, explain the Peshitta by reference to the MT and LXX rather than starting from the MT and using the versions to explain it. Discuss not only possible variants, but the word choice and translation technique. Use The OT in Syriac: Part V. Concordance: 1: Pentateuch. Linguistics student(s) can suggest another topic.

4. Midterm (eighth week, third session) and Final (scheduled time, but in VH 1351)

Grading

The final grade will be a composite of the quizzes (15%), the paper (approx. 15%), the midterm (approx. 25%) and the final exam (approx 45%).

Syriac Readings

For Class: see schedule, below. Adjustments may be made as we proceed.

Independently: Readings in Peshitta Proverbs.

Prov 9:13-18; 10:1-32; 18:8-22; 25:8-21 (ditto); 30:1-17; 31:10-31

Required Secondary readings on Peshitta

Michael Weitzman, The Syriac Version of the Old Testament, Cambridge 1999. (Certain chapters are designated in the Schedule. The rest are to be ready by the midterm.)

M. D. Koster, “Peshitta Revisited: A Reassessment of its Value as a Version,” JSS 38:2 (1993): 235-68.

S. Brock: Introduction to Syriac Studies: http://meti.byu.edu/eastern_resources.html

Commentaries in readings include:

Ephrem on Genesis 22 [selection in Muraoka]

John the Solitary (5th c.) - Commentary on Qoheleth, ed. W. Strothmann (Göttinger Orientforschungen, Reihe Syriaca, vol. 30; 1988)

Anon (E, 8th c.) - Commentary on Gen–Exod. 9:32, ed. with French translation by L. Van Rompay (Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalum Scriptores Syri 205-6, 1986).

Anon (E, 9th c.) - Commentary on Gen. 1-18, ed. with English translation by A. Levene (London, 1951).

Syriac II — Spring 2007 schedule subject to change with due notice] TBA = To be Announced.

Dates to be inserted later.

Week	Topic	Read/Do	Translation	Muraoka
	PESHITTA AND UNCANONICAL PSALMS, HYMNS
1	Syllabus/ Estrangela consonants Nestorian vowels Intro to Peshitta		Sight reading, remarks on P
1	-Practice reading Estrangela version of Luke, first 5 lines of Simon, without translation.	(1) Learn Estrangela consonants and Nestorian vowels. The Syriac Version of the OT	Proverbs SEE BELOW. Stay 15 vv ahead. Also read LXX & MT for Peshitta passages	§ 1-5
			Proverbs, ctd.	§ 6
	-Discuss Leiden edition of Peshitta.	-Read preface to Leiden edition of Peshitta.	Proverbs, ctd. Decipher annotations on p. 31 (18:8ff.).	§ 7-16
		-Read Sanders, Dead Sea Psalms Scroll, 93-103, 110-112	Proverbs, ctd.	§ 17-29
			Proverbs, ctd	§ 30-39
			Peshitta	§ 40-43
			Peshitta	§ 44-47
		-Read J. H. Charlesworth, “Odes of Solomon,” 725-34	Psalms 1 (=LXX 151; 1QPs^a) and 3 (=155; 1QPs^a); Syriac Psalm 3	§ 48-56
	Finish translating/review	M. D. Koster, “Peshitta Revisited: A Reassessment of its Value as a Version,” JSS 38:2 (1993): 235-68. Read Brock, “Genesis 22 in the Syriac Tradition”	Psalms 1 (=LXX 151; 1QPs^a) and 3 (=155; 1QPs^a); Syriac Psalm 3	§ 57-62
	COMMENTARIES
		-Read Wright, History of Syriac Literature, 33-39 [on Ephrem]	Ode of Solomon 42	§ 63-64
wk 8	EXAM #1		Wis Sol 2	§ 65-66
			Wis Sol 2, Prov 15	§ 67-68
		Reading TBA	Daniel 2, Prov 15	§ 69-75
			Daniel 2
			Gen 22	§ 81-84
		Skim Ernest George Clark, The Selected Questions of Isho Bar Nun on the Pentateuch, 1-16, 145-51	Isho bar Nun (9th c.), questions 28, 29	§ 85-89
			Isho ctd; Ephrem on Gen 22	§ 90-93
	HISTORIOGRAPHIES
		Reading TBA	Ephrem ctd.		§ 94-96
			Life of Ephrem		§ 97-100
			[con’t], 2 Chron 20		§ 101-110
			[con’t] 2 Chron 20		§ 111-113
			Life of Simon the Stylite
		Reading TBA	[con’t]
			[con’t]
			[con’t]
			[con’t]

Peshitta Proverbs readings:

Prov 9:13-18; 10:1-32; 18:8-22; 25:8-21 (ditto); 30:1-17; 31:10-31

Job readings:

1:1-22; 3:1-10 ; 4:1-21; 13:1-10; 19:20-29; 20:1-13; 28:12-28; 38:1-10; 42:1-17