subject: The Hebrew Bible in America [print this page] The Hebrew Bible in America The Hebrew Bible in America
Hebrew Bibles that were published in America are very scarce items. It is interesting that demand for Hebrew Bibles was first brought about by Christian clergy for study and prayer. In his book Hebrew Printing in America, Goldman notes that the first Hebrew Bibles in America were printed to meet Christian needs.
The first book containing a few specimens of Hebrew type from the bible was published by Harvard College in 1640. The Harvard publication was a new English translation of the Psalter. This edition is known as the Bay Psalm Book and is virtually unattainable.
In 1809, London publishers in Cambridge, Massachusetts, printed the first book of any substantial part of the Bible in Hebrew in America. This book is titled Liber Psalmorum Hebraice and was edited by Francisci Hare and Benjamin Kennicott. Liber Psalmorum Hebraice published in a calfskin cover and had 495 pages.
At the top of each page is the Hebrew text of Psalms. The Psalms are translated in Latin. The bottom of each page contains notes in Latin and selections from the work of Benjamin Kennicott.
Liber Psalmorum Hebraice is extremely scarce. A complete copy has not been seen at auction since 1998. A specialty book shop in Los Angeles offered a copy in their 2010 Holiday catalog for $20,000.
Collectors of Bibles treasure rare and unusual books such as the Bay Psalm Book and Liber Psalmorum Hebraice. Although many old Bibles are maintained in museums and in university archives, occasionally an important Bible is offered at auction or through a rare book dealer.
