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Mikra'ot Gedolot

The Hebrew expression translates roughly as "The Great Scriptures"; in Latin: Biblia Rabbinica. The expression is in fact grammatically incorrect, since it uses a feminine adjective with a masculine noun.

Dates

1516-17

Publisher

Daniel Bomberg

Description

Although the name "Mikra'ot Gedolot" was first attached to a version of the Bible that was printed in Venice by Daniel Bomberg of Antwerp, the Christian publisher of many standard Jewish religious texts, the name has been used for several different editions that have been printed over the years by a variety of Hebrew publishers.

Certain basic components are found in all subsequent editions, such as the Biblical text itself, the masoretic notes, the Onkelos Targum and Rashi's and Ibn Ezra's commentaries. However the various publishers included additional versions, commentaries and indices, with a preference for medievals.

The very first printing of the Mikra'ot Gedolot was edited by Felix Pratensis, an apostate Jew, and Bomberg had requested an imprimatur from the Pope. Neither of these facts served to endear the book on its potential Jewish clientele, so Bomberg had to produce a brand new edition under the direction of proper Jewish editors.

The Mikra'ot Gedolot includes the entire Bible, though only the section on the Torah, the first five books, is described here.

The Masoretic notes to the Biblical text were carefully edited by Jacob ben Hayyim Ibn Adoniyahu, and established themselves as the standard version of the Masorah.

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