1534 First Edition Sebastian Münster "Hebraica Biblia" Volume I

Item Details

A scarce 1534 first edition of volume I of the Hebraica Biblia (Hebrew Bible) of noted Christian Hebraist scholar Sebastian Münster (German, 1488-1552). Contains the original Hebrew text with Latin translation in parallel columns. An important volume in the history of Hebrew studies, Biblical translation and printing.

Four years after joining the Franciscan order, Münster became a student of Konrad Pellikan (German, 1478-1556) a Protestant theologian and humanist who was a noted Christian Hebraist. Münster succeeded Pellikan in 1529 as the chair of Hebrew at the University of Basel after leaving the Franciscans to join the Lutheran church. He actively searched for Hebrew manuscripts and studies in all fields, not just rabbinical studies. In 1534-1535 he edited and published the two volume Hebraica Biblia, of which the 1534 Volume I is offered here.

This bible includes a Hebrew introductory letter for Jewish readers as well as one in Latin for Christian readers alongside two prefaces where Münster cites the texts used in the translation including the commentary by Nicolao da Lira, studies of Johann Reuchlin, the translation of Martin Luther, and contemporary Catholic translations by Sante Pagnini (Lyon, 1527) and Agostino Steuco (Venice 1529). In the prefaces, Münster avers that Biblical interpretations are wrong because of incorrect translations of the original text. He also acknowledges he will likely be slandered, as Erasmus has been, by daring to correct the sacred texts. Indeed, Münster’s translation was considered the companion to Erasmus’s New Testament.

The work was a collaborative printing between the Basel printers Johann Bebel (14…?-circa 1550) with Michael Isengrin (1500-1557) and Heinrich Petri (1508-1579), all noted in the colophon. At the time of publication, only Petri had used Hebrew characters before, in an earlier work by Münster. Notably, this edition bears Bebel’s “Palma Bebeliana” editorial mark which was attributed as being designed by Hans Holbein the Younger (circa 1497-1543).

This volume is bound in contemporary, possibly original, vellum covered wooden boards with blind stamping, bosses, and remnants of clasps. “Biblia Hebrea” is stamped to the front board as well as “XXXIII”, possibly a personal library number. Scholarly marginalia in a 16th century cursive hand are throughout the text including the title page which includes the Jewish year 5294 (1534 in the Christian calendar), possibly indicating that the marginalia are contemporaneous with publication.

Condition

- binding tight and intact with some soiling and wear to edges and spine; remnants of hinges; contemporary notations in a 16th century hand throughout; some soiling to page edges, with some tears and foxing, but overall bright and clean pages.

Dimensions

Item #

ITMG399975