Printed Hebrew Bibles in the Russian Academy of Science Library

Abstract

The Rare Book collection of the Russian Academy of Science Library (Biblioteka Akademii Nauk, BAN) includes a number of editions in Hebrew language printed between 1500s and 1800s. The article focuses on the editions of Biblical text produced in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Holland and England during the era of European history when religious divisions caused by Reformation encouraged Christians to seek legitimation of their confessional choice by studying and reproducing Hebrew Scripture. The Hebrew text which the Christians published became a polemical weapon employed by different groups against their opponents and against the Jews as their common Other. Nevertheless, an interest in the original Biblical text not only fostered the development of textual criticism and Biblical scholarship but also stimulated the new scholarly inter-faith and interconfessional cooperaton. BAN collection holds copies of Daniel Bomberg’s Mikraot Gedolot (1547) and Biur ha-Torah (1544), Robert Estienne’s Bible (1539–1542), several polyglot Biblies (Polyglotta Complutensis, Antwerp polyglot, London polyglot) and other multilingual editions with translations into Latin and other European languages. Some of these books were part of prominent private collections, such as king Sigismundus II Augustus’ library of Vilno, or the home library of bishop of Tver’ Theophylactus Lopatinsky. The article examines the history and influence of certain editions and studies the BAN copies with respect to their provenance, their use by the readers and their significance in the history of reading and education.