Chamishah Chumshei Torah [-end] / [Novum Testamentum Graece] / Diyathika Chadata

(BIBLE, Hebrew, Ancient Greek and Ancient Syriac [in Hebrew characters]).

C. Plantin

Antwerp

1573-74

Three volumes bound in two (mixed set). I: Unvocalized Hebrew text printed in double columns, 389pp., title within architectural frame, closely shaved, browned, stamps on first and last page, last page laid down (with another copy, repeating Hebrew text pp.103-389). II: Minute cursive Greek type printed in double columns, 208pp. (last page blank, laid down), issued without a title or colophon. III: Syriac in unvocalized Hebrew characters printed in double columns, 121,(3)pp. lacking final 2pp. of variae lectiones, issued without a title, ruled in red throughout, few signatures

Adams B-1233; Darlow & Moule 8951(cf. 5102, 4638); unrecorded by Sorgeloos

These three Bible editions: the Old Testament in Hebrew, with the addition of the New Testament in Greek and Syriac, were printed by Plantin in order to present the whole Bible “in the original tongues.” Both the Hebrew and Syriac Bibles were printed in the same minute Hebrew type and were edited by Plantin’s son-in-law Francis Rapheleng. “If of dubious utility for converting Jews to Christianity, Syriac in Hebrew characters was obviously a boon for the Biblical scholar who had mastered three Biblical languages and was perhaps contemplating a fourth.” (D.S. Berkowitz, In Rememberance of Creation: Evolution of Art and Scholarship in the Medieval and Renaissance Bible (1968) no.172). For a most thorough bibliographic examination of these three editions, see Mehlman nos.1899, 1883 and 31