ABL 301: Biblical Aramaic Grammar & Exegesis (Daniel & Ezra)

Mastering the Third Biblical Language Across Daniel, Ezra, and New Testament Aramaic Expressions

Course Description

Welcome to ABL 301: Biblical Aramaic Grammar & Exegesis! In this advanced seminary course, students master the grammar, vocabulary, nominal states (Emphatic, Construct, Absolute), and verbal stems (Peal, Pael, Haphel, Hithpeel, Hithpaal) of Biblical Aramaic, translating the Aramaic portions of Scripture (Genesis 31:47; Jeremiah 10:11; Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Daniel 2:4b-7:28) and Aramaic expressions in the New Testament.

Interactive Companion Language Apps

• Hebrew Alphabet & Vowels Trainer — Interactive consonant, niqqud, and syllable practice
• Greek Alphabet & Grammar Trainer — Interactive alphabet, diphthong, and pronunciation practice
• Hebrew Vocabulary Flash Cards — High-frequency Old Testament Hebrew lexical drills
• Greek Vocabulary Flash Cards — High-frequency New Testament Greek lexical drills
• Manuscript Variant Analysis Platform — Compare MT, LXX, DSS, and Greek NT witnesses

Course Structure

This course is composed of an Interactive Syllabus and five comprehensive chapters. Each chapter includes a detailed Chapter Summary, five in-depth lessons with Lesson Check-in Quizzes, and a 10-question Chapter Test. The course culminates in a 30-question Final Course Exam (62 total learning steps).

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Historical Setting, Phonology, and Vocabulary of Biblical Aramaic

• Lesson 1: History of Aramaic: Old Aramaic, Imperial (Official) Aramaic, and Jewish Palestinian Aramaic
• Lesson 2: Why Ezra and Daniel Contain Aramaic Sections: Literary and Theological Purpose
• Lesson 3: Consonant Shifts Between Hebrew and Aramaic (e.g., Zayin/Dalet, Tsade/Ayin, Shin/Tav)
• Lesson 4: Aramaic Vowel System, Syllabification, and Core Aramaic Vocabulary
• Lesson 5: Jeremiah 10:11 and Genesis 31:47: Analyzing the Shortest Aramaic Texts in the Old Testament

Chapter 2: Aramaic Nominals: Absolute, Construct, and Emphatic States

• Lesson 1: The Three States of the Aramaic Noun: Absolute, Construct, and Emphatic (Definite -a Suffix)
• Lesson 2: Masculine and Feminine Singular, Plural, and Dual Endings in Biblical Aramaic
• Lesson 3: The Versatile Particle Di (Relative Pronoun, ‘Of’ Genitive Marker, and Conjunction ‘That/Because’)
• Lesson 4: Aramaic Independent Personal Pronouns, Demonstratives, and Pronominal Suffixes
• Lesson 5: Aramaic Prepositions, Conjunctions, Adverbs, and Royal Court Terminology

Chapter 3: The Biblical Aramaic Verbal System

• Lesson 1: Overview of the Aramaic Verbal Stems: Peal (G), Pael (D), Haphel/Aphel (C), and T-Stems (Hithpeel, Hithpaal, Ettaphal)
• Lesson 2: The Peal Perfect, Imperfect, Imperative, Infinitive, and Active/Passive Participles
• Lesson 3: The Narrative Participle in Biblical Aramaic (Replacing Hebrew Wayyiqtol)
• Lesson 4: Derived Stems (Pael, Haphel, and Internal Passive Peil/Hophal) in Daniel and Ezra
• Lesson 5: Weak Verbs in Biblical Aramaic (Pe-Nun, Pe-Yod, Hollow, and Lamed-Aleph/He Verbs)

Chapter 4: Exegetical Reading in Ezra and Daniel 2-6

• Lesson 1: Exegesis of Ezra 4:8-6:18: Royal Correspondence and the Decree of Cyrus and Darius
• Lesson 2: Exegesis of Ezra 7:12-26: Artaxerxes’ Commission Empowering Ezra to Teach the Law of God
• Lesson 3: Exegesis of Daniel 2:4b-49: Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue and the Stone Cut Without Hands
• Lesson 4: Exegesis of Daniel 3 & 4: The Fiery Furnace and the Humbling of Nebuchadnezzar
• Lesson 5: Exegesis of Daniel 5 & 6: The Handwriting on the Wall (Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin) and the Lions’ Den

Chapter 5: Exegesis of Daniel 7 and Aramaic in the New Testament

• Lesson 1: Exegesis of Daniel 7:1-8: The Four Beasts Rising from the Great Sea
• Lesson 2: Exegesis of Daniel 7:9-12: The Throne Room of the Ancient of Days (Atiq Yomin)
• Lesson 3: Exegesis of Daniel 7:13-14: ‘One Like a Son of Man’ (Kebar Enash) Receiving Eternal Dominion
• Lesson 4: Aramaic Words of Jesus in the Gospels (Talitha Koum, Ephphatha, Abba, Eloi Eloi Lema Sabachthani)
• Lesson 5: Early Christian Aramaic Liturgical Formulas (Maranatha in 1 Cor 16:22; Amen; Hosanna)

Assessments & Grading

• Lesson Check-in Quizzes: 25 short check-in quizzes following each core lesson to reinforce retention.
• Chapter Tests: Five 10-question Chapter Tests reviewing each chapter’s linguistic and exegetical concepts (80% passing score).
• Final Course Exam: A 30-question comprehensive Final Exam covering all five chapters (80% passing score).