Former PROPHETS: Books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings. With the commentary of DAVID KIMCHI (Rada”k)

(BIBLE)

Joshua Solomon ben Israel Nathan Soncino

Soncino

1485

FIRST EDITION with Kimchi’s commentary. Printed in double columns. Woodcut initials and headpieces. Manuscript nikud (vocalization) of Biblical text on fifteen leaves in Joshua. The first word of each Book of the Bible richly historiated with floral and historiated motifs. Scattered marginalia in various square and cursive hands

Vinograd, Soncino 14; Offenberg 27; Goff Heb-22; Goldstein 29; Thesaurus A-31; Steinschneider p.1 no.3; Wineman Cat. 18

Printed just prior to the Soncino Family’s flight to Casal Maggiore, the present Former Prophets with the commentary of David Kimchi completed the House of Soncino’s first Biblical text. As did Joshua Soncino stem from a distinguished family of printers, so the exegete, David Kimchi, come from a distinguished family of Bible commentators. By far the leading exegete of the family, the Rada”k 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,Kimchi introduces some of Maimonides’ 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. 60-6, M. Cohen, Ledmutam HaConsonantith shel Defusei HaMikra Ha-Rishonim in: Bar Ilan Yearbook,Vol. 18-19 (1981) pp. 47-67 (especially p. 54)