HEBREW 258 – The History of God: Evidence from the Psalms
Semester: Spring
Offered: 2022
Instructor: Julia Rhyder
Meeting Time: M 3:00pm-5:45pm
The Israelite deity, with an unpronounceable name, may seem to have no history, having simply existed from the beginning of time. However, closer examination of the biblical evidence reveals a complex story of how a wilderness god associated with storms and warfare gradually emerged as the one God of Israel. This course analyzes key texts of the book of Psalms that, in extolling the qualities of the Israelite deity, reveal different aspects of his character: his nature as a storm god and warrior; his geographical links to the south of Israel, between the Negev and Egypt; his adoption of the traits of a sun god, linked to the domains of law and justice; and his emergence as the head of the heavenly council and creator of the world.
Recommended Prep: The course presumes basic proficiency with Biblical Hebrew.
Offered jointly with Harvard Divinity School as HDS 1443
For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.