OTCL 515 Old Testament Bible Study Tools

This course will introduce students to resources, concepts, and essential procedures related to exegeting Old Testament passages at the seminary level. There will be an emphasis placed on implementing the use of biblical Hebrew language resources, commentaries, background resources, and English translations as they are made available through the Logos Bible Software.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Interpreting the Old Testament requires careful attention not only to the historical and literary context of ancient Israel but also to the linguistic and structural distinctives of biblical Hebrew. 

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 3 Discussions in this course. The student will post 1 thread of at least 400–500 words. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 100-200 words. The student is expected to have a clear explanation of principles or rationale, thoughtful engagement with Learn material, and clear, professional writing (no casual blogging tone). (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Exegetical Report: Semantic Range Assignment

This assignment introduces the student to Hebrew word studies with a focus on semantic range, contextual nuance, and theological depth. By analyzing a key Old Testament word in various passages, the student will grow in his/her ability to interpret Hebrew terms responsibly using Logos Bible Software and scholarly tools. This assignment will be 750–1,000 words and will use at least 2 scholarly lexicons in current Turabian format. (CLO: A, C)

Exegetical Report: Clause Flow and Emphasis Assignment

This assignment moves beyond word-level study to examine how Hebrew syntax—particularly verb sequencing, clause structure, and word order—shapes meaning in Old Testament narrative and legal texts. Syntax plays a central role in highlighting theological emphasis, conveying emotional tone, and creating rhetorical force. By tracking clause flow and analyzing syntactical structure, the student will gain deeper insight into the biblical writer’s intent. This assignment helps the student develop exegetical skills necessary for advanced interpretation and application of Old Testament texts in ministry contexts. This assignment will be 1,000–1,250 words and will use at least 1 scholarly Hebrew grammar and 1 commentary in current Turabian format. (CLO: A, B)

Exegetical Report: Poetic and Prophetic Assignment

This assignment invites the student to engage with the beauty and complexity of Hebrew poetry and prophetic literature. These genres make extensive use of literary artistry—such as parallelism, metaphor, and structural repetition—to convey theological truth, emotional depth, and covenantal urgency. Understanding the form of the text is just as essential as interpreting its content. The student will use literary and exegetical tools to explore how these features contribute to meaning and will reflect on the value of such analysis for teaching and ministry. This assignment will be 750–1,000 words and will use at least 3 scholarly sources, such as a commentary or a literary study of Hebrew poetry or prophecy in current Turabian format. (CLO: A, B, C)

Exegetical Report: Genre-Based Exegetical Comparison Assignment

This assignment challenges the student to demonstrate genre-awareness in Old Testament interpretation by comparing how literary forms—such as law, narrative, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy—shape exegetical strategy and theological insight. The meaning of a passage is deeply influenced by the genre in which it appears. Responsible interpretation requires adapting methods to the genre while maintaining consistent exegetical principles. The student will grow in his/her ability to compare texts across genres, apply appropriate tools, and reflect on how genre awareness enhances biblical teaching and ministry. This assignment will be 750–1,000 words (or multimedia presentation) and will use at least 2 scholarly sources in current Turabian format. (CLO: B)

Old Testament Exegetical Teaching Guide Assignment

In this capstone assignment, the student will transform his/her exegetical work into a practical teaching guide—something a pastor, teacher, or Bible study leader could actually use. Instead of producing an abstract academic paper, the student will synthesize his/her insights into a clear, structured resource that communicates Scripture’s meaning faithfully and accessibly. This assignment will be 5-7 pages and will use at least 5 scholarly sources, including commentaries, dictionaries, and academic studies in current Turabian format. (CLO: A, D)