[Hebrew:] Sefer ha-shorashim.

Kimchi (David)

Published by C. Adelkind for D. Bomberg, 1546

About this Item

title within architectural border, small piece cut out of fore-margin of first leaf (not affecting text), a little water-staining in the upper outer corners, ff. [144], folio, eighteenth-century mottled calf, front inner hinge strengthened, spine wormed, sound. First printed c. 1480, this is the second Bomberg edition of this highly influential Biblical lexicon (or 'Book of Roots'), edited by Isiah ben Elezear Parnas, with notes by Elias Levita. 'Kimchi's most important work is his "Miklol," in two parts: the first containing a comprehensive exposition of Hebrew grammar; the second, a dictionary of the Bible. The second part, however, having been later considered as a separate work, under the title "Sefer ha-Shorashim," the title "Miklol" has been given exclusively to the grammar. In these works Kimchi, while not original, can not be considered a mere compiler. He digested and assimilated his material most thoroughly; and everywhere there is evident the remodeling and rearranging hand of one who is conversant with the entire range of his science and who surveys the whole with the glance of an adept. Above all he possesses in a high degree the power of systematization and of popular exposition. He excerpted from his predecessors copiously and circumspectly, and arranged his material with such comprehensiveness, clearness, and lucidity of exposition that, while he popularized the opinions of his illustrious forerunners, he at the same time made their works superfluous and helped to sink them into an oblivion from which they were not rescued until the nineteenth century' (Jewish Encyclopedia). For the printer, Cornelius Adelkind, see Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy, p. 180 et passim. (Adams K45; Steinschneider, Catalogus col. 874, no. 48). Seller Inventory # 52181

Bibliographic Details

Title: [Hebrew:] Sefer ha-shorashim.

Publisher: C. Adelkind for D. Bomberg

Publication Date: 1546