Isaiaspropheta Hebraice, Graece et Latine. Addita est autem duplex latina interpretatio, Hieronymi & Munsteri. Accessit & sunccincta difficiliorum Hebraicorum Vocabulorum expositio, collecta per Sebastianum Munsterum, ex Davidis Kimhi commentario.
Book of Isaiah with Greek and Latin translation by Sebastian Munster and the commentary of Rabbi David Kimchi [Radak]. Basel, [1535 or 1542]. Not in the National Library or other large libraries worldwide.
[5], 345, [57] pages. 20 cm. Wide margins. Quality paper. Owner notation dated 1557.
This Book of Isaiah was printed independently, and not as a section of a set of Tanach. The volume concludes with Rabbi David Kimchi’s commentary in Hebrew. Each spread has the Hebrew on the right and the Greek Septuagint on its left, with the Latin translation by Hieronymus on the left page, in addition to the translation and commentary of Sebastian Munster (1488-1552) and a preface by Munster. Printed by Munster.
Scholars believe that Munster printed only a few copies of this Isaiah for his studies with his disciples. Therefore, this book is very rare. Listed by the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book according to the copy in the British Library and the Palatina Library in Parma.
J. Prijs, in his book about Basel prints, designates the year of printing as 1542. However, Zehnder notes 1535. As mentioned, the book was not actually seen by the bibliographers. That’s why they erroneously noted that it was printed left to right. That is wrong. The book was printed from right to left, according to the Hebrew! In addition, they erroneously note that the book includes a Latin dictionary for difficult Hebrew words. The source of this mistake is the Radak’s concluding statement, that he completed his treatise in which “he explains the difficult words in this book.” In addition, at the end of the book there is a blank leaf with an impressive, large printer’s device on its back, which is not noted by the bibliographers. Supplemental bibliographic material included with the lot.
Magnificent, new leather binding. Aging stains. Fine-very fine condition.