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Biblia Sacra Vulgata
Features a translation of the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures into Latin.
2030 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 328
53 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Jerome
397books53followersSt. Jerome (born c. 347) (formerly Saint Hierom) (Latin: Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; Greek: Εὐσέβιο� Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμο�) was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia (possibly in modern Croatia or Slovenia). He is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), and his list of writings is extensive.
He is recognized by the Catholic Church as a saint and Doctor of the Church, and the Vulgate is still an important text in Catholicism. He is also recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is known as St. Jerome of Stridonium or Blessed Jerome.
He is recognized by the Catholic Church as a saint and Doctor of the Church, and the Vulgate is still an important text in Catholicism. He is also recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is known as St. Jerome of Stridonium or Blessed Jerome.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 7, 2009
The Editio Typica first penned by Saint Jerome himself and promulgated by the Holy See. The Latin has been anglicized with capitalization and punctuation added for readability. This is probably the closest most people will ever come to understanding the original biblical manuscripts (unless of course you read greek, hebrew and arameic). So get out that old, tattered copy of "Wheelock's Latin," pour yourself a deep draught of brandy, and strap in for the ride of a lifetime!
December 2, 2019
Whoa, what is The Catholic Man doing, reviewing a Latin Bible at the start of The Catholic Man Reviews� 12 Days of Christmas Gifts series?
If you’ve followed The Catholic Man Reviews blog since the beginning, you would know that I love reviewing Bibles and up to now, I have reviewed a variety of them and my shelf is stocked full of them, which I use from time to time, with Bibles for various needs such as personal use, scholarly use, devotional use, etc. As promised, I will be publishing a post on finding the perfect Bible for you in a blog post in 2020.
Almost all my Bibles are an English translation, and some in Vietnamese. However, I had much difficulty finding one in the Latin Vulgate, said to be translated by St. Jerome. Even while in Rome this past March, I found it difficult to find a copy of the Vulgate. But even once I located one, the prices were crazy.
When you do a Google search of, “The Vulgate Bible� or “Biblia Sacra Vulgata�, you would likely land on an edition of a green cover. It took me quite some time to locate who was the publisher. I finally found out the publisher of that edition is from the German Bible Society (Deutesche Bibelgesellschaft).
I didn’t really know what to expect with this specific Bible, whether its quality would be cheap, or bad quality, or extraordinary on the other hand. However, when I received it in the mail, it was of superior quality compared to the others I have reviewed on the blog. It seems like a very dignified, well constructed and bound Bible. It is of green hardcover, gold stamped text on the cover and spine, with thick cream endpages and cream pages. There is also one ribbon marker, but it is not of the typical type of ribbon that you would find with most Bibles. It contains a very unique weave that is not burnt on the end, but yet, does not fray. If someone can identity for me this type of ribbon marker, that would be appreciated! There are also end bands as well on the spine.
Moving toward the interior of the Bible itself, I have to say, the layout is quite unique for each book:
The name of the book is in capitals.
There is a preface to each book, in Latin.
Drop caps are used at the start of the preface, and on the first chapter. marking the point where the actual text of the Biblical book starts. I have not reviewed Bibles with drop caps. I like using drop caps; it bring me back to medieval style manuscripts, and easily helps the reader know where a particular piece of text starts.
Each verse starts on a new line, even if a verse is continuous of the verse before. This makes finding a particular verse very easy, as all the verse numbers are clearly seen in the margin.
A down side is that the chapter numbers are the same size as the verse numbers, but bolded. Unlike other Bibles I have reviewed on here, their Bibles have large chapter numbers.
On the outer margins are cross references to other parts of the Bible. This is a feature I do not see so often. Cross references are often found before the footnotes at the bottom of the page.
Footnotes are located are found in their usual places, at the bottom of the page.
Included in this edition is a leaflet of what seems to be a timeline and reference of different Biblical manuscripts of the both the Old and New Testaments � a feature that could be of interest to scholars.
But I have a confession to make: I don’t know Latin! I know some words here and there, and some phrases. I can read it aloud, but not at the stage where I can comprehend.
With that in mind, this Bible is not useless, even for illiterate Latin readers like myself. The Vulgate has been the official Bible translation of the Church for centuries. It is my hope that the more I attempt to read it, the more terms I will understand, and more insight I will receive when reading the Bible because some terms cannot be translated into English or Vietnamese, or other languages. I learned of someone who learned Vietnamese because he faithfully read the Bible in Vietnamese and paralleled it with an English translation. I will hopefully attempt such reading.
Sometimes, the Bible stories we read may become to common, and when we encounter it whether in personal reflection or at the celebration of the Liturgy, we no longer become attentive to it. I hope that by reading the Bible in another language, I may not only learn a different language, but come to understand the Bible in a different way.
Overall, a handsome, and dignified volume. I wish more Bibles were constructed in the same quality, and durability as this edition from the German Bible Society.
Click here to purchase a copy of the Biblia Sacra Vulgata.
If you’ve followed The Catholic Man Reviews blog since the beginning, you would know that I love reviewing Bibles and up to now, I have reviewed a variety of them and my shelf is stocked full of them, which I use from time to time, with Bibles for various needs such as personal use, scholarly use, devotional use, etc. As promised, I will be publishing a post on finding the perfect Bible for you in a blog post in 2020.
Almost all my Bibles are an English translation, and some in Vietnamese. However, I had much difficulty finding one in the Latin Vulgate, said to be translated by St. Jerome. Even while in Rome this past March, I found it difficult to find a copy of the Vulgate. But even once I located one, the prices were crazy.
When you do a Google search of, “The Vulgate Bible� or “Biblia Sacra Vulgata�, you would likely land on an edition of a green cover. It took me quite some time to locate who was the publisher. I finally found out the publisher of that edition is from the German Bible Society (Deutesche Bibelgesellschaft).
I didn’t really know what to expect with this specific Bible, whether its quality would be cheap, or bad quality, or extraordinary on the other hand. However, when I received it in the mail, it was of superior quality compared to the others I have reviewed on the blog. It seems like a very dignified, well constructed and bound Bible. It is of green hardcover, gold stamped text on the cover and spine, with thick cream endpages and cream pages. There is also one ribbon marker, but it is not of the typical type of ribbon that you would find with most Bibles. It contains a very unique weave that is not burnt on the end, but yet, does not fray. If someone can identity for me this type of ribbon marker, that would be appreciated! There are also end bands as well on the spine.
Moving toward the interior of the Bible itself, I have to say, the layout is quite unique for each book:
The name of the book is in capitals.
There is a preface to each book, in Latin.
Drop caps are used at the start of the preface, and on the first chapter. marking the point where the actual text of the Biblical book starts. I have not reviewed Bibles with drop caps. I like using drop caps; it bring me back to medieval style manuscripts, and easily helps the reader know where a particular piece of text starts.
Each verse starts on a new line, even if a verse is continuous of the verse before. This makes finding a particular verse very easy, as all the verse numbers are clearly seen in the margin.
A down side is that the chapter numbers are the same size as the verse numbers, but bolded. Unlike other Bibles I have reviewed on here, their Bibles have large chapter numbers.
On the outer margins are cross references to other parts of the Bible. This is a feature I do not see so often. Cross references are often found before the footnotes at the bottom of the page.
Footnotes are located are found in their usual places, at the bottom of the page.
Included in this edition is a leaflet of what seems to be a timeline and reference of different Biblical manuscripts of the both the Old and New Testaments � a feature that could be of interest to scholars.
But I have a confession to make: I don’t know Latin! I know some words here and there, and some phrases. I can read it aloud, but not at the stage where I can comprehend.
With that in mind, this Bible is not useless, even for illiterate Latin readers like myself. The Vulgate has been the official Bible translation of the Church for centuries. It is my hope that the more I attempt to read it, the more terms I will understand, and more insight I will receive when reading the Bible because some terms cannot be translated into English or Vietnamese, or other languages. I learned of someone who learned Vietnamese because he faithfully read the Bible in Vietnamese and paralleled it with an English translation. I will hopefully attempt such reading.
Sometimes, the Bible stories we read may become to common, and when we encounter it whether in personal reflection or at the celebration of the Liturgy, we no longer become attentive to it. I hope that by reading the Bible in another language, I may not only learn a different language, but come to understand the Bible in a different way.
Overall, a handsome, and dignified volume. I wish more Bibles were constructed in the same quality, and durability as this edition from the German Bible Society.
Click here to purchase a copy of the Biblia Sacra Vulgata.
May 7, 2008
The literary and theological advantages to reading the "good book" in its original Ecclesiastical Latin are far too numerous to list here. But having devoted two years of my life to reading the Vulgate straight through, Genesis to Revelation, has given me far more insight and depth of study than reading the verenacular versions ever could. There are no idioms or figures of speech through which to navigate, no protestant or evangelical spin (such as removing books they don't like) to circumvent, and best of all, no "lost in translation" issues to bog the reader down. This is a journey that all serious Christian devotees should take at least once in their lifetimes. So grab that old, tattered copy of "Wheelock's Latin," pour yourself a deep glass of brandy and prepare for the wildest ride of your life!
July 16, 2013
A well done and excellent translation of the greatest book ever written from the origianl Greek and Hebrew, but the inclusion of the apocrypha does raise a few eyebrows.
May 17, 2023
Iesu Christe, please don't rate this edition if you can't read Latin.
Some Catholics are pissed at the fact that the church edited the Clementine Bible, and the only reason why we still read Biblia Vulgata in the 21st century is that we're preserving its history. And that is so not true because
1) people like ME actually use the Vulgate to learn Latin
2) the OT and NT were re-edited for the purpose of keeping the text more faithful to the Hebrew/Koine originals and rendering the language to make it more Classical.
For those who prefer to read the Bible in Latin like me, this edition
1) brings me closer to God's words
2) makes me learn better Latin.
(Numbering my arguments always makes me feel like Aquinas.)
The footnotes were the best feature of this Bible because, for any fans of the Clementine Bible, you still get your favourite version, albeit only to a certain extent. Most online Bible websites/software only have the Clementine Bible, so it feels natural to stick to traditions, which is a huge part of Catholicism per se. However, since you're a devout Catholic who learned Latin for the sake of God, or even if you're just a Latin learner of any kind, who simply wants to retreat to easier texts instead of getting stuck on Augustine and Livy, this is perfect and beautiful.
P.S. Despite being the same text published by the same LEV, my cover is GREEN. I mean, liturgically speaking I did buy this book after Easter, so okay. But red does seem like a posher colour.
Some Catholics are pissed at the fact that the church edited the Clementine Bible, and the only reason why we still read Biblia Vulgata in the 21st century is that we're preserving its history. And that is so not true because
1) people like ME actually use the Vulgate to learn Latin
2) the OT and NT were re-edited for the purpose of keeping the text more faithful to the Hebrew/Koine originals and rendering the language to make it more Classical.
For those who prefer to read the Bible in Latin like me, this edition
1) brings me closer to God's words
2) makes me learn better Latin.
(Numbering my arguments always makes me feel like Aquinas.)
The footnotes were the best feature of this Bible because, for any fans of the Clementine Bible, you still get your favourite version, albeit only to a certain extent. Most online Bible websites/software only have the Clementine Bible, so it feels natural to stick to traditions, which is a huge part of Catholicism per se. However, since you're a devout Catholic who learned Latin for the sake of God, or even if you're just a Latin learner of any kind, who simply wants to retreat to easier texts instead of getting stuck on Augustine and Livy, this is perfect and beautiful.
P.S. Despite being the same text published by the same LEV, my cover is GREEN. I mean, liturgically speaking I did buy this book after Easter, so okay. But red does seem like a posher colour.
Shelved as 'partially-read'
August 23, 2024The best part of the vulgate is how pointless it is. It's neither in the original language of the texts nor in a first language for anyone, but super influential. Excellent for learning Latin as well: big gobs of narrative to ingest with very straightforward anti-flowery prose. Except Paul. Don’t read Paul.
November 8, 2021
YAWN. What a snooze-fest. Drags on at parts, and narrative progression at times is overly stilted. ONE STAR
April 7, 2024
Reasons to own this book:
1.) The Latin Vulgate as written down by St. Jerome is a valuable asset for any Catholic. After all it is the primary source that all (emphasis added) good bibles come from.
2.) Tons of notes showing how the old and new testament are interconnected in the columns making studying that much easier. Things that prophesied about Christ in the old and things Christ quoted from the old in the new. Its all there.
3.) Language footnotes showing Greek and Hebrew origins on almost every page.
4.) It's well made and feels good in the hands.
5.) It's portable. The Baronius Press version (next smallest in my experience) is the size of a freaking table and this thing is no bigger height or width wise than any other bible. It's freaking thick though.
6.) It's the Vulgate. (Re-read number one) The official translation of the Word of the Living God in the tongue of Holy Mother Church.
1.) The Latin Vulgate as written down by St. Jerome is a valuable asset for any Catholic. After all it is the primary source that all (emphasis added) good bibles come from.
2.) Tons of notes showing how the old and new testament are interconnected in the columns making studying that much easier. Things that prophesied about Christ in the old and things Christ quoted from the old in the new. Its all there.
3.) Language footnotes showing Greek and Hebrew origins on almost every page.
4.) It's well made and feels good in the hands.
5.) It's portable. The Baronius Press version (next smallest in my experience) is the size of a freaking table and this thing is no bigger height or width wise than any other bible. It's freaking thick though.
6.) It's the Vulgate. (Re-read number one) The official translation of the Word of the Living God in the tongue of Holy Mother Church.
April 20, 2008
Amazingly readable--I speak very little Latin, but can understand the vast majority of what I read (I think).
January 25, 2010
Must admit...the little I've read of the Tremellius/Beza Bible puts the Vulgate to shame.
March 20, 2015
A beautiful edition of the revised St. Jerome translation of the Bible, the official text of the Roman Church. Awesome.
January 6, 2019
I figured it probably shouldn't "go without saying" on ŷ that I'm constantly reading the Bible—once every two years based on a cycle of readings that I based on the readings at Matins.
December 31, 2024
Necesario, recomendable, repetible. Es para todo cristiano aunque tiene libros muy árduos de leer.
September 16, 2017
Life-times' reading project.
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