Hebrew. EARLY PROPHETS). With the commentary of DAVID BEN JOSEPH KIMCHI

(BIBLE,

Joshua Solomon Soncino

Soncino

1486

FIRST EDITION with David ben Joseph Kimchi. Numerous Hebrew marginalia that reflect some learning, as well as nikud (vocalization) of biblical text in some places. The first word of each Book of the Bible is richly historiated with floral and hare motifs

Vinograd, Soncino 14; Offenberg 27; Goff Heb-22; Freimann-Marx, Thesaurus A-31

Printed just before the Soncino Family’s flight to Casal Maggiore, the present Early Prophets with the commentary of David Kimchi (RaDa”K), completed the House of Soncino’s first Biblical text. As Joshua the printer came from a distinguished family of printers, so the exegete came from a distinguished family of Bible commentators. By far the leading exegete of the family, David Kimchi commented on all the prophetic Books and in addition, on Psalms, Chronicles and Genesis. His method follows the peshat, but often accepts the derash, utilizing aggadic interpretations to a great extent. As a follower of Maimonides’ philosophical views, he introduces some of his ideas in his commentaries and explains certain events as visions. Notably, in his commentary to Ezekiel’s vision of the Divine Chariot in Ezekiel, Chapter 1, Kimchi offers a lengthy philosophic explanation of the Theophany. See: M. Waxman, Vol. I, pp. 199-200; Amram, pp. 60-61