THE most ancient Version of the Scripture that we know of, is that of the Seventy Interpreters, which is believed to have been made in Egypt, under Ptolemy Philadelphus, who began his Reign in the Year of the World 3720, 280 Years before Christ, and 284 before the Vulgar Æra. Some will have it, that before this there had been a Greek Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures; but no one has been ever able to prove this Opinion. We have spoken largely of the Septuagint, under that Article in the Dictionary, and we shall not repeat here what we have said of it. We confine ourselves in this Article to give a Catalogue of the principal Editions of the Old Testament, or Septuagint. We shall afterwards shew what Judgment should be made of it; and, lastly, we shall speak of those who were employed about it.
Biblia Græca cum versione Latinâ ad verbum. Compluti. ann. 1517. This is in Cardinal Ximenes’s Polyglot. Learned Men acknowledge that this is far from being the pure and true Translation of the Septuagint; they who were employed upon the Complutensian Polyglot having revised the Greek Text, to make it agree better with the Vulgate, or the Hebrew, without being much concerned whether they followed the Version of the Septuagint, or not. This Edition therefore is not much esteemed.
Biblia Græca, curâ Andreæ Asulani, in ædibus Aldi & Andreæ Asulani ejus Soceri, in fol. Venetiis, ann. 1588. This Edition appeared before that of Complutum, tho’ it was finished the Year after; for the Greek Bible of Complutum did not appear till 1517. It is remarked, that there are many false Pointings in Aldus’s Edition; but it comes nearer to the true Text of the Septuagint than the Complutensian. The Learned indeed find some Additions Addition in it, taken from Theodotion, and the old Greek Interpreters. It was reprinted in 1526, 1545, 1550, 1582, 1597, 1599, and 1687.
The short Latin Prefaces in this Edition are by Asulanus. In the Front of every one of St. Paul’s Epistles, and of the Canonical Epistles, there is an Introduction in Greek, explaining the Subject of them. This Edition goes by the Name of Aldus Senior, because it came from his Press, where Asulanus was employed; and perhaps he might have set about it before he died, as he might likewise have furnished the Design of it. For as to the Greek, he excelled in it; and before him void Spaces were left in the Latin, where-ever Greek Words were to be inserted; because as yet there were no Characters in this Language. Usher therefore says improperly that Aldus himself published the first Edition of the Greek Bible; for Aldus died before 1516, and this Edition was not finished till 1518, as we have observed already. To be well informed of the full Merit of this Edition, it is necessary to read what Walton says of it, in his 9th Prolegomenon, numb. 29. and Masius in his Preface upon Joshua. Lastly, the Acts of Lipsick in 1698, p. 75.
Biblia Græca minimo charactere, juxta Venetam Aldi Editionem, 4 Vol. in 8vo. Argentorati, Wolphius Cephaleus N. Test. ann. 1524. vet. Test. 1526. cum Præfat. Joan. Loniceri, Lutherani.
Biblia Græca juxta Editionem Venetam, in fol. Basileæ, Joan. Hervag. 1545. cum Præfat. Philipp. Melancthonis. This Edition is known by the Name of the Basil Edition, and is the same with that of Aldus; but the Division of it into Chapters and Verses is different, as Walton remarks in the Prolegomena above cited. There is besides that of Wechel and Zanetti, wherein at the bottom of every Page there is a great number of various Readings, which contribute a great deal to the making it valuable. See what Fabricius says of it, in his Bibliotheca Græca, l. 3. p. 326.
Biblia Græca veteris Testam. Græcè ex edit. Ald. & Latinè ex edit. Complut. 4 Vol. in 8vo. Basileæ Nicolai Brylinger, 1550.
Biblia Græca & Latina, 3 Vol. in 8vo. Basil. Bryling. 1582. This is the same with the Edition of 1550, the Title whereof is changed.
Biblia Græca veteris Testamenti auctoritate Sexti V. Pontif. Max. & operâ Antonii Cardin. Caraffæ, cum præfatione Latinâ Petri Morini, in fol. Rom. Typog. Franc. Zannetti, ann. 1587. This Edition passes for the best, the purest, and most correct of all, which till that time had appeared. There are however some learned Men, as Mariana and Morinus, who are of opinion that some Passages of the Old Greek Translators have been foisted into it.
To judge rightly of this Matter, you need only read the Prefaces prefixed to it. F. Morinus’s Exercitationes Biblicæ, l. 1. Exercit. 9. c. 1. num. 8. 12; the Article of Greek Bibles in F. le Long’s Bibliotheca Sacra; Simon’s Critical History of the Old Testament, l. 2. c. 3. where he defends this Edition against Vossius, and prescribes at the same time how to reform it; which Vossius had promised to do, but never kept his Word, any more than Colomiez, who made the same Promise. But Lambert Bos and Ernest Grabe, in the Beginning of this Century put this good Design in execution in their Editions, with Amendments and Improvements, as we shall very soon have an Opportunity to shew.
So great a Work required great Men to bring it to its full Perfection; to which the Cardinals Sirlet and Caraffa contributed; as did likewise Latinius, Marinus Victorius, the Dominican Paulinus, Agelius, Emmanuel Sa; Peter Parra under Pius V. Lelius, Turrianus, Ciaconius, Maldonat, Peter Morinus, Comitolus, Ursinus, Livinejus, Valverda, Bellarmine and Tolet, under Gregory XIII. John Morinus, and Flaminius Nobilius, under Sixtus V. It is necessary to say something of every one of these in particular.
William Sirlet was born at Stilli, which some call Squilliaco in Calabria. He studied the Languages at Naples, was made Cardinal by Pius IV. at the Recommendation of St. Charles Borromeo, who endeavoured likewise to have him elected Pope instead of Pius V. who after his Promotion appointed him Library-Keeper of the Vatican. He died in 1585 at 71 Years of Age. See his Life in Ciaconius and Auberi’s History of the Cardinals. He had a perfect Knowledge of the Hebrew and Greek Languages. He was esteemed at Rome the Aristarchus of his Time. We shall speak elsewhere of what he wrote upon the Scripture in the Article of different Readings. M. Dupin has given us the Catalogue of his Works in his Tables, tom. 1. p. 1287.
Anthony Caraffa was descended from the illustrious Family of the Caraffa’s. He learned the Greek Tongue with great Diligence and Success under Sirlet. Pius V. gave him the Cardinal’s Hat, when as yet he was but thirty Years of Age; but as he was extremely studious, he was carried off by an untimely Death, in 1591. being no more than fifty-three Years of Age. When he was very young he shew’d an extraordinary Virtue and Chastity. He was also very much to be respected for his Charity; for he gave Alms plentifully to the Poor while he lived, and at his Death gave his Fortune to the Maronite School. Eugubinus, Baronius and Bince, made his Funeral Sermon, as it were with Emulation. See the Elogia of Teissier, tom. 4. p. 152, and what Thuanus says of him in the History of his Time. M. Dupin has given us the Catalogue of his Works in the first Tome of his Tables, p. 1341.
Latinus Latinius came into the World at Viterbo in the Year 1513, and went through his first Studies at Siena. At Rome, whither he went in 1554, he applied himself to the Study of Divinity. He was Secretary to three Cardinals, and died in 1593, at 80 Years of Age. See his Life in Teissier’s Elogia, tom. 4. p. 181, 184. Justus Lipsius calls him Probissimus Senex, & omni literarum genere instructissimus. Colomiez commends him for a diligent and learned Man. Pamelius was amazed at his great Literature; and Raimund Capisucchi was never weary of admiring the Pains and indefatigable Constancy with which he read and deciphered so many Authors, no more than the Penetration and Solidity of his Judgment. See the other Encomiums which have been bestowed upon him in Pope Blount, p. 734.
Marianus Victorius, or Victorinus, so well known for his famous Edition of St. Jerome’s Works, was of Rieti. He was made Bishop of Amelia, by Pius V. in 1571. and in 1572 of Rieti; which gave F. le Long occasion to say that he was of Amelia, and Bishop of Rieti. Ughellus, in his Italica Sacra, tom. 1. speaks of him, and says he died about the Year 1572. He was much to be respected, both for his Learning and his Probity. M. Dupin has given us a Catalogue of his Works, in his Tables, tom. 1. p. 1161.
We have no Knowledge of Paulinus the Dominican and Peter Parra, but by the Share they had in the Greek Edition at Rome. F. le Long says no more of them in his Bibliotheca Sacra.
We speak of Emmanuel Sa in the Article of Commentators, as well as of Maldonat and Bellarmine, because they deserve our Notice more for what they have published on the Scriptures.
Anthony Agellius was of Sorento in the Kingdom of Naples, and a Theatine. Clement VIII. nominated him to the Bishoprick of Acerno in the Year 1593. He voluntarily divested himself of this Dignity in 1604, and died in 1608. being above 70 Years of Age. He recommended himself to the Esteem of the World by the Purity of his Manners, and by his Learning; particularly by his indefatigable Application to the Study of Holy Scripture. See upon the Psalms.
F. le Long says that Lelius was Cardinal Caraffa’s Chaplain, and made Bishop of Narnin in the Pope’s Territories: He confounds him with another Lelius, who was advanced to this Dignity in 1455, and consequently was older than him we are here speaking of, since he was not as yet born in 1455, and did not die till about the End of the sixteenth Century.
Francis Turrianus, or de la Torre, was a Native of Herrera, in the Diocese of Valencia in Spain, and Nephew to Bartholemew Torrensis Bishop of the Canaries, who had him instructed in Divinity at Salamanca. Having finished his Studies, he went into Italy, and being at Rome, the Pope sent him to the Council of Trent. He became a Jesuit, tho’ already far advanced in Years, in 1566, and died in 1584. See what Teissier says of him, in his Elogia, tom. 3. p. 303. Nicholas Antonio, in his new Bibliotheca Hispanica, tom. 1. p. 285. The several Encomiums of him in Pope Blount, p. 681. in M. Bailliet’s Jugement des Savans, sect. 252, 393, 876. M. Dupin has given a Catalogue of his Works in his Tables, p. 1276. and Tome 2. p. 2877. He passed for a very learned Man, and merited the Esteem of the Publick by many excellent Writings. Some however say, that he was a Man of a bad Taste, and very fond of his Prejudices.
Peter Ciaconius, different from Alphonsus Ciaconius the Spaniard, and a learned Man as well as he, was born at Toledo in 1525. He learned the Greek Tongue and Mathematicks at Salamanca, without the help of any Master. He applied himself likewise to Divinity, and became a great Divine, by reading the Holy Scriptures, and the Writings of the Fathers. He was made Canon of Seville; came to Rome under Gregory XIII. and died in 1581, at 56 Years of Age, according to Thuanus. See Teissier’s Elogia, tom. 3. p. 222, 226. Nicholas Antonio’s Bibliotheca Hispanica, tom. 2. M. Dupin has given us the Catalogue of his Works, in his Tables, tom. 1. p. 1254. See likewise Janus Nicius Erythræus in Pinacotheca. He recommended himself to the Esteem of the World by his universal Learning, and by his Knowledge of Antiquity, and the Belles Lettres, says Thuanus, in the History of his Time. His Name was so celebrated, that he was called the Varro of his Age. He was moreover very much valued for his great Modesty, and an Humility equal to his Merit.
We speak here only of Peter Morinus. He was born at Paris in 1531, of a Father who belonged to the Law, and designed him for the same Employment. He studied first the Oriental Languages, Profane Authors, and the Holy Scripture. Afterwards he went into Italy, at that time the Theatre of the Belles Lettres. His Father called him back to Paris in 1559, with a Design of marrying him, which Affair did not succeed. He being dead, Morinus resolved upon going to Rome in 1565, under Pius IV. where he died in 1608. M. Dupin speaks of him very much at large in the seventeenth Century of his Bibliotheque Ecclesiastique, tom. I. p. 34, 36. where he analyses his principal Works, ibid. 47, 54. He wrote himself his own Life, and has given the Catalogue of his Writings, in the Edition of them published by F. Quietif a Dominican, at Paris, 1675. R. Simon speaks of them likewise, in his 34th Letter of the first Book. He was a great Critick, his Judgment was very sound, and his Memory wonderful. He was also a Man of great Equality of Humour; frank, plain, sincere, gentle, civil, obliging, agreeable and of good Manners. He loved Honesty, and hated Deceit. He envied no Man, despised Wealth and Honours: His only Passion was Study. He wrote continually, and with Ease. In short, it may be said of him, that there was not a Man of Letters in his Time who had more Erudition, and more Beauty of Mind.
Flaminius Nobilius was of Lucca in Italy. He went to Rome under Sixtus V. and returning to his own Country, he died there in 1590. at 58 Years of Age. See what Teissier says of him, in his Elogia, tom. 4. p. 98. M. Dupin has published a Catalogue of his Works, in his Tables, tom. I. p. 1308. He speaks of him likewise in his Bibliotheque Ecclesiastique. In the opinion of Annibal Caro he is a Writer equally learned and polite. He was more a Critick than Divine, and wrote very well in Latin, according to M. Dupin. We shall have occasion to take notice of him in another Place.
Paul Comitolus was of Perouse: He became a Jesuit in 1559, being then no more than fourteen Years of Age; and died where he was born, in 1626, being 67 Years old. M. Dupin has given us a Catalogue of his Works, in his Tables, tom. 2. p. 1637. Southwel says he was 81 Years of Age when he died: If it be so, M. Dupin is mistaken in his Calculation. He must have been born in 1539. He was learned in Greek and Latin. We shall have occasion to speak of him again upon Job.
Fulvius Ursinus was a Roman, and lived a long time in the House of Alexander Farnese. He was made Canon of the Lateran, and died in 1600, according to Thuanus, in the History of his Time. He understood Greek and Latin in perfection. He was still more profoundly knowing in the History of Antiquity, and particularly in what relates to Ecclesiastical History, says Casaubon, his intimate Friend. See the fine Encomiums that are given him in Pope Blount, p. 784.
The Greek Bible of Rome was reprinted in the London Polyglot, in 1657. and again at Paris by Morinus, with the Latin Translation, in two Vols. fol. 1638; and at London also, with the Scholia, and and various Readings, in 1653. in 4to. which Edition is very correct; at Cambridge, in three Vols. in 12mo. by John Field, 1665. This Edition is not valued. At Amsterdam, in 8vo. printed for Sameren’s Widow, in 1683; a very faulty Edition. At Lipsick, and at Goslar, in 1697, two Vols. in 8vo. under the Inspection of James Clarer and Thomas Klumpsius.
Biblia Græca veteris & novi Testamenti; veteris quidem juxta Editionem Basiliensem, seu Aldinam; novi vero juxta Editionem Roberti Seph. ann. 1550. in fol. Franco-furti ad Mænum, apud Andræ Wechel hæredes. 1597.
Biblia Græca veteris Testamenti, ex antiquissimo codice Manuscripto Alexandrino, curâ Joan. Ernesti Grabe, cum Præfatione Joan. Pearson, in fol. & in 8vo. Oxonii è Theatro Sheldoniano, 1707. This Edition of the Bible from the Alexandrian Manuscript had been long expected, and Walton had already published the Various Readings of it in his Polyglot, 1657. Francis Lee, Doctor of Physick, published what remained in 1719, at Oxford, that the Publick might at last have the Septuagint according to the Alexandrian Copy.
Grabe, the Author of this Edition, was a Prussian, and a Lutheran; but was afterwards of the Church of England, and died in 1711. He was very conversant in Scripture and the Fathers, judicious in his Criticisms, and modest in his Opinions.
Biblia Græca, cum variantibus Lectionibus, ex recensione Lamberti Bos, in 4to. Franekeræ, 1709. This Edition is very neat and commodious. It was reprinted at Frankfort in 1709, two Vols. in fol. much augmented. Fabricius mentions the other Editions in his Bibliotheca Græca, l. 3. c. II. p. 329. Lambert Bos may perhaps still actually be teaching the Belles Lettres in the University of Franekar. He has published many fine Pieces of Erudition relating to Antiquity.
Thus much for what concerns the principal Editions of the Septuagint. They who would be fully informed about this Greek Version, and know the whole History of it, whether real, or fabulous, and what we should truly think of it, may consult Walton in his Prolegomena, 9. n. 1, 19. Origen’s Hexapla, by D. Montfaucon, tom. 1. c. 3. Isaac Vossius, de lxx. Interpretibus; Le Clerc’s Bibliotheque Choisie, t. 8. p. 345, 370. F. Alexander’s Ecclesiastical History, the second Century, tom. 3. Dissertation 11. p. 455. in fol. M. Valois, at the End of his Bibliotheque Choisie, p. 447, 585. Fabricius’s Bibliotheca Græca, l. 3. p. 317. F. Simon’s Critical History of the Old Testament, Book 2. Ch. 3. and all others who have wrote pro or con of this History, of whom F. le Long has given a Catalogue in the Table of Contents belonging to his Bibliotheca Sacra, p. 1037. col. 1. in fol. Lastly, our Dissertation in the Collection, tom. 1. part 3. p. 74.
Whatever may be said or thought concerning the Truth or Falshood of this History, it is out of all dispute that the Greek Version called the Septuagint is very much to be esteemed for its Antiquity, and the use which Jesus Christ himself, as well as the Apostles, made of it, since they have cited it preferably to any other, without excepting the Hebrew Text. Walton makes no scruple of saying, that the translating the Holy Scriptures into Greek long before the Coming of our Saviour, was a particular Effect of divine Providence; because this Language was more universally spread throughout the World; and that this Version into it must have been of use in dispelling the Darkness of Error, before the rising of the Sun of Righteousness. Nothing can be added to what has been written by John Pearson in defence of this Translation, in a Treatise composed expressly upon this occasion, and printed at Helmstadt, 1694, in 4to. See the Memoirs of Trevoux, for the Year 1709, tom. 2. p. 927.
We shall farther observe here that Grabe’s Edition in fol. is singularly well esteemed, because the Preface which he has there inserted is a learned Discourse by the celebrated Pearson, concerning the Usefulness of the Septuagint Translation. He has besides added Prolegomena, divided into four Chapters; the first whereof contains an Account of the Alexandrian Manuscript; in the second he sets forth the Method which he has pursued in this Edition; in the third he describes the different Editions, and some old Manuscripts of the Septuagint; in the fourth he exercises his critical Skill upon some Passages of these Manuscripts. The Text of this Edition is purely Greek, and without a Latin Translation.