Prophetic Literature
Module Code: 609TPL Credits: 10 Contact Hours: 30 Level: 6 Lecturer: Seamus Mulholland OFM
Syllabus
This course examines the phenomenon of prophecy in the religion of ancient Israel, with particular attention being devoted to the writings about and those attributed to named ‘prophets’ in the Hebrew Bible. Inasmuch as it can reliably be reconstructed, the development of Israelite prophecy will be studied from its earliest appearance in narrative sources (Deborah, Balaam, Samuel, anonymous ‘anshey ha-’elohim) to the alleged cessation of prophecy during the Second Temple period.
Questions to be investigated include the following: What is a prophet? What were the discernible social roles of the prophet in the society of ancient Israel? What distinguishes prophetic literature from other genres of composition contained in the Bible or practiced in the ancient Near East? How do oral and written modes of composition interplay in the prophetic corpus? What sorts of concerns generate prophetic utterance?
Religio-historical antecedents and parallels to Israelite prophecy (e.g., Mesopotamian divination, prophecy at Mari, Assyrian oracle collections) will also be studied in order to gain some insight into the religious and social status of the prophet and the nature of prophetic literature. If time permits, the course will conclude with an examination of the alleged relationship between prophetic and apocalyptic literature.
Aims
- to expose the student to the primary Prophets and their texts
- to understand the nature, content and purpose of Israelite Prophecy
- to determine the social, political, religious and cultural context and impact of Israelite Prophecy
- to view Israelite Prophecy against the backdrop of other Mesopotamian forms of prophetic activity
Assessment
This module will be assessed through a 3,000 word essay chosen from a selection of titles.
Evaluation
Student evaluation form at end of module anonymously filled in
Teaching Methods
This module will be taught through lectures, specific prophetic text study and private assigned background reading
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
- situate the phenomenon of prophecy in ancient Israel within the context of its near eastern forerunners
- understand the social impact of prophecy in ancient Israel
- analytically reflect on the relationship between prophecy and cult
- have an in depth knowledge of the literary and theological structure of prophetic oracles
- show the significance at both the personal and corporate level of the prophetic call
- understand at an advanced and detail level the main themes of prophecy, especially those of the 8th century.
Subject Specific Skills
Subject specific skills
- a knowledge of social, political and religious significance and important of prophecy in ancient Israel.
- a knowledge of nature and content of the form of the prophetic call
- the ability to critically assess the history of prophecy in the ancient near east and especially ancient Israel
- the ability to understand and communicate the function of prophecy in ancient Israel from an understanding of
the forerunners of prophecy [most especially the documents of Mari]
Transferable Skills
By the end of this module should be able:
- to confidently demonstrate an awareness of the methodologies involved in determining the social, political and religious significance and important of prophecy in ancient Israel.
- to demonstrate at an advanced level the nature and content of the form of the prophetic call
- to show the social and political contextualisation of the major prophets of the 8th century BC
- to demonstrate an ability to draw on a variety of academic discourses in reflecting critically on the history of prophecy in the ancient near east and especially ancient Israel
- to offer informed critical comment on the rise and function of prophecy in ancient Israel from an understanding of the forerunners of prophecy [most especially the documents of Mari]
- to make independent and imaginative use of theological and historical information and resources on both general and specific aspects of prophecy in ancient Israel
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