Bible and the Ancient Near East

This two-year program is designed for students who wish to study contemporary Biblical (Hebrew scriptures) studies, providing grounding in Biblical as well as Modern Hebrew. Students specialize in one of two tracks: 

1. The Bible: Cultural and Historical Context. In this specialization, students study the historical, cultural, and geographical context in which the Bible was composed, as well as its impact on later cultural and historical contexts and events.  
2. The Bible and the Ancient Near East. In addition to studying the Bible in its immediate regional context, students acquire a sound knowledge of the history and culture of the Ancient Near East, including the study of Akkadian. (Students may also choose to study other ancient languages, such as Egyptian, Ugartic, or Greek.)  

Course of Study for "The Bible: Cultural and Historical Context"

The M.A. program consists of 42 credits over four consecutive semesters, including required coursesin Biblical Hebrew, Akkadian, History and Culture of the Ancient Near East and Introduction to Biblical Literature, as well as elective courses and tutorials. Group tutorials are offered in Biblical Aramaic andTargum Onqalos.

First-Year Studies
During the first year of studies, students will be expected to take courses that fulfill the following distribution:

• Biblical Hebrew – Intermediate

• Reading Courses in Biblical Texts

• History and Culture of the Ancient Near East

• Introduction to Biblical Literature and Culture

Second-Year Studies 

During the second year of studies (20 credit hours), students will take the following courses:

• Biblical Hebrew – Advanced

• Archaeology of the Biblical Period

• Exegesis (Midrash/Medieval Commentators) or The Bible in Western Culture

• Reading courses in Biblical Texts

Course of Study for "The Bible and the Ancient Near East"

First-Year Studies

During the first year of studies (22 credit hours), students will be expected to take courses that fulfill the following distribution:

• Biblical Hebrew – Intermediate

• Akkadian

• Reading course in Biblical Texts

• History and Culture of the Ancient Near East

• Introduction to Biblical Literature and Culture

Second-Year Studies

During the second year of studies, students will take the following courses:

• Biblical Hebrew – Advanced

• Second-Year Akkadian

• Reading courses in Biblical Texts

• Archaeology of the Biblical Period

Students in either track who wish to study an additional ancient language will, in consultation with their advisor, be able to reduce the above credit load.

Qualified students with a Bachelor's degree from accredited institutions of higher education are eligible for admission to the program. Admission is competitive and is based on transcripts and letters of recommendation. Students must have:

• A minimum of 3.2 ("B") grade-point average or the equivalent

• A relevant background in Bible studies

• Biblical Hebrew: at least one year of Biblical Hebrew. Students lacking knowledge of Biblical Hebrew must attend the intensive elementary-level summer course offered at the RIS before commencing the program.

• Modern Hebrew: be elgilble to enroll in at least level Gimel Hebrew at the beginning of their first year of study. Students who have minimal or no knowledge of Hebrew (levels Aleph-Bet) must attend the Summer Ulpan. 

• Students lacking knowledge of Biblical Hebrew must attend the intensive elementary-level Biblical Hebrew summer course offered in the language at the RIS before commencing the program.

• Knowledge of English: Applicants are required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, or Amir scores. The minimum TOEFL score required is 573 on the paper-based test, 230 on the computer-based test and 89 on the internet-based test.  The minimum IELTS score is 7. The minimum Amir score is 220

• Exempted from this requirement are applicants who have completed a full degree (a minimum of four years) taught solely in English at a recognized institution of higher education. Applicants who have completed a B.A. in English Language and Literature may request an exemption provided that they submit documentation from their university stating that the language of instruction is English.  

Hebrew Requirements

• Students will be expected to attain a sufficient command of the Hebrew language by the beginning of the second year of study (i.e., completion of level Heh) so that they may read scholarly publications and sources in Hebrew during their second year. Students will be expected to complete level Vav by the end of their second year of study. The Hebrew exemption examination (p’tor) is optional for all students and is not a requirement of the M.A. degree.