A History of Translation
Wycliffite New Testament
Wycliffite New Testament
- Collection ID
- BIB.005034
- Type
- Bible - Printed Book
- Date
- 1731
- Geography
- England
- Language
- English
- Medium
- Printed on Paper
- Dimensions
- 15.2 × 10 × 1.1 in. (38.5 × 25.5 × 2.8 cm)
- Exhibit Location
- Not on View
This is the first printed edition of the New Testament translation attributed to John Wycliffe. Wycliffe was an English priest, theologian, and religious reformer known by some today as the “Morning Star of the Reformation.” In the 1380s, a circle of scholars, very likely inspired by Wycliffe and under his supervision, translated the Latin Vulgate Bible into English. Combined with his other writings, Wycliffe’s actions outraged some religious authorities, leading to his posthumous excommunication. John Lewis, an English minister and printer, printed this edition of “Wycliffe’s” New Testament based on two surviving manuscript copies. Only 160 copies of this edition were produced.
This is the first printed edition of the New Testament translation attributed to John Wycliffe. Wycliffe was an English priest, theologian, and religious reformer known by some today as the “Morning Star of the Reformation.” In the 1380s, a circle of scholars, very likely inspired by Wycliffe and under his supervision, translated the Latin Vulgate Bible into English. Combined with his other writings, Wycliffe’s actions outraged some religious authorities, leading to his posthumous excommunication. John Lewis, an English minister and printer, printed this edition of “Wycliffe’s” New Testament based on two surviving manuscript copies. Only 160 copies of this edition were produced.
Printed in 1731 by John Lewis, London, England. Acquired after 1930 by Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;[1] Purchased in the 2000s by Sidney Ohlhausen, private collector, Houston, Texas;[2] Purchased in 2015 by Tenny Family Bible Collection, private collection, Krum, Texas; Donated in 2020 to Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.
Notes: [1] A library stamp from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, now Palmer Theological Seminary, is located on the front free endpaper. Another printed note at the top of the front pastedown states “Purchased in London 1930,” but it is unclear if this was placed there by the seminary or an earlier owner. [2] Sidney Ohlhausen states in an email that he purchased this book as Baptist Theological Seminary began deaccessioning books from their library (Information from Sidney Ohlhausen via email, December 2020.)
Printed in 1731 by John Lewis, London, England. Acquired after 1930 by Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;[1] Purchased in the 2000s by Sidney Ohlhausen, private collector, Houston, Texas;[2] Purchased in 2015 by Tenny Family Bible Collection, private collection, Krum, Texas; Donated in 2020 to Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.
Notes: [1] A library stamp from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, now Palmer Theological Seminary, is located on the front free endpaper. Another printed note at the top of the front pastedown states “Purchased in London 1930,” but it is unclear if this was placed there by the seminary or an earlier owner. [2] Sidney Ohlhausen states in an email that he purchased this book as Baptist Theological Seminary began deaccessioning books from their library (Information from Sidney Ohlhausen via email, December 2020.)
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