A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica: Matthew - 1 Corinthians, 4 Vol. tg.

Vol. 1: X, 384 p., Vol. 2: 480 p., Vol. 3: IV, 455 p., Vol. 4: 314 p. Aus der Bibliothek von Prof. Wolfgang Haase, langjährigem Herausgeber der ANRW und des International Journal of the Classical Tradition (IJCT) / From the library of Prof. Wolfgang Haase, long-time editor of ANRW and the International Journal of the Classical Tradition (IJCT). - Vol. 1: leicht klaffender Einband, sonst sehr guter Zustand; Vol. 2: minimal klaffender Einband, sonst sehr guter Zustand; Vol. 3: Kleberückstände auf Hinterdeckel, sonst sehr guter Zustand; Vol. 4: Fleck auf Vorderschnitt, sonst sehr guter Zustand. - INTRODUCTION During the Middle Ages the Talmud was the exclusive property of the Jews. Tragically it was not even allowed to be their property, for the persecutions of the Jewish “heretics” (and later of the Protestant heretics too) extended also to their sacred books. As a consequence, very few manuscripts of the Babylonian and Jerusalem Taimuds survive. With the revival of Hebrew and the study of the Hebrew Bible that came with the Reformation, there came also an interest in other Jewish works. One of the fine fruits of this movement was the work of the Hebraist John Lightfoot (1602-1675). Lightfoot was one of many earnest Christian scholars of his time. Master of St. Catherine Hall, Cambridge, he possessed the classical learning of those days. He was at home in Latin and Greek, and he was a master not only of classical Hebrew, but also of Mishnaic Hebrew and the Aramaic of the Talmud. We are reminded of his elder contemporary Lancelot Andrewes, one of the translators of the King James Version of the Bible, who composed prayers for himself in Hebrew! Aside from Lightfoot’s scholarly writings and productive teaching, he took part in the Westminster Assembly, which sat from 1643 to 1649. He belonged to the Erastian party, favoring an established church, 1 and this is reflected in the present work in his letter of thanks to Gilbert, who Lightfoot says is, “by divine providence, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England” (3:iii). Lightfoot lived in troubled times. Born in the last days of Queen Elizabeth, he was a boy when the King James Version was published. He sat in the Westminster Assembly while the Long Parliament beheaded King Charles I, then somehow survived the restoration under Charles II, all the while maintaining a real Christian testimony and making an important scholarly contribution to Scripture study. From his commentary one would hardly guess at the turbulent times in which he lived. One point is of interest. In the days of Oliver Cromwell, when Lightfoot was at the height of his powers, the Jews were allowed again in England after 250 years of proscription. Lightfoot’s commentary should be compared with the Kommentar zum Neuen Testament by Strack and Billerbeck.2 This extensive German commentary is the only other work that attempts fully to use the Talmud and related Jewish material in elucidating the New Testament. Strack-Billerbeck is more extensive than Lightfoot, includes the whole New Testament, and is more recent. But the Talmud has not changed since Lightfoot's day, though obviously Talmud studies have advanced. Lightfoot’s comments on the New Testament text and his use of the Talmud reflect his theologically conservative stance, however, and of course Lightfoot is in English. (excerpt from introduction) / EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION LIGHTFOOT’S Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae were originally written in Latin, and the several portions were published at intervals between 1658 and 1674. With the exception of those on the Acts and Romans, they appeared during his lifetime. These last were printed after his death by Richard Kidder, afterwards bishop of Bath and Wells. They were reprinted on the Continent by Carpzov, (Lips. 1675, ) and in the Editions of his collected works by Texelius, (fol. Rotterdam, 1686, ) and by Leusden, (fol. Franequer. 1699.) They appeared for the first time in English in 1684, when Lightfoot’s entire works came out in two volumes, folio (London); the first volume, “revised and corrected by George Bright, D. D., ” the second “published by the care and industry of John Strype, M. A.” It is not known by whom the translation was made. Strype in his Preface mentions “the translators, ” but as at the same time he speaks of "our pains, ” he seems to have had some share in it. The translation on the whole is carefully done, and deserves the praise he bestows upon it. This most valuable portion of Lightfoot’s writings was included in the new edition of his works (13 vols., 8vo. London, 1822-5), superintended by the Rev. John Rogers Pitman, M.A. That edition has now become scarce and ex pensive; and besides, contains much matter less interesting to modern readers. It seemed therefore desirable that the Horae Hebraicae should be rendered accessible to theological students by being published alone. The present edition has been printed from Mr. Pitman’s; but wherever a passage seemed obscure, not only the folio edition, but the original Latin also has been consulted. Thus the text has been carefully revised throughout, and alterations made in many places. Upon the Hebrew quotations much attention has been bestowed. Very many corrections were required here, and though from the similarity of some Hebrew letters, and other causes, the Editor can hardly hope that he has overlooked no errors, yet he can say that he has spared no pains to secure accuracy. For the more convenient distribution of the work, the Geographical matter, which the Author prefixed to each Gospel, has in this edition been brought together in one volume. Lightfoot’s references have generally been found to be very carefully made. Where they were imperfect, what was wanting has been supplied, and the additions indicated by brackets.2 Notes have occasionally been added, where the text seemed to require explanation. And the Reader has often been referred, for further information, to that great storehouse of Rabbinical learning—the result of thirty years’ assiduous labour —Buxtorf’s Talmudical and Rabbinical Lexicon. May these works of Lightfoot, written under many disadvantages, the fruit of untiring industry, and deep veneration for Holy Scripture, encourage and aid those who by devout and patient study endeavour to understand the words of our Divine Master, and the inspired writings of His Evangelists and Apostles! (Editor’s Introduction). ISBN 9780943575261