The Latin Vulgate is a Latin translation of the Bible that dates back to the 4th century AD. It was originally commissioned by Pope Damasus I and completed by St. Jerome. For over a thousand years, the Latin Vulgate served as the definitive Bible translation used by Western Christianity. Even today, it continues to hold importance within the Catholic Church.
The word “vulgate” comes from the Latin “vulgata editio”, meaning “edition for the common people”. This refers to one of the main intentions behind the Latin Vulgate – to create a widely accessible translation of the Bible in the common language of the time (Latin). Whereas previous translations were often aimed at specific groups or purposes, the Vulgate was intended for general Christian use.
In this article, we will explore the origins, purpose, and significance of the Latin Vulgate Bible. We will examine how it came about, the translation approach of St. Jerome, and key events in the history of the Vulgate. Additionally, we will look at the relationship between the Vulgate and the Catholic Church over the centuries. By the end, you will have a solid understanding of this landmark Bible translation and its enduring impact.
Origins of the Latin Vulgate
To understand the origins of the Vulgate, we must go back to 4th century Rome. During this time, the dominant language throughout the Roman Empire was Latin. Educated citizens and members of the Church spoke and wrote in Latin. However, in terms of Scripture, the Bible texts were written in other languages like Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Various Latin translations of the Bible already existed by the 4th century. But they were often disjointed, inconsistent, and aimed at specific purposes. For instance, Old Latin translations focused on certain books or sections, translations differed across regions, and some translations were intended to support particular doctrines/teachings.
There was a need for a unified Latin translation that was accessible across the Roman Empire. As Christianity spread, an authoritative Bible version was required for evangelization, teaching, and doctrinal uniformity.
Pope Damasus I thus commissioned St. Jerome, a renowned scholar and priest, to undertake a fresh Latin translation of the entire Bible around 383 AD. Jerome was known for his knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew – a key skillset for rendering the original texts into Latin accurately.
St. Jerome and His Translation Approach
St. Jerome spent over 20 years completing this monumental translation task. His approach reflects an effort to balance readability with scholarly faithfulness to the original text:
- He translated most Old Testament books directly from Hebrew rather than Greek Septuagint.
- He compared Old Latin versions against the Hebrew, revising the Latin where needed.
- For the Gospels, he referenced older Greek manuscripts rather than just the Latin.
- He aimed for a Latin style that was clear, yet maintained the meaning and doctrines of the original texts.
This thorough approach resulted in a Latin Bible of greater accuracy and consistency. Jerome also included prologues for many books providing background info and translation notes – an innovation for Bible versions at the time.
By around 405 AD, Jerome completed his monumental translation, including both the Old and New Testament. This fresh Latin version came to be known as the Versio Vulgata or Vulgate – the common, accessible translation.
Acceptance and Early History
The Vulgate was not an immediate success. Rival Latin translations continued to circulate for centuries. But gradually the Vulgate became the definitive Bible version for Western Christianity based on several key factors:
- Its relatively wide dissemination and use in Rome.
- Lack of competing Latin translations of similar scope.
- Endorsement by scholars and clergy based on its accuracy.
- Declaration by Church Councils as the authorized Latin Bible text.
A few pivotal moments in early Vulgate history:
- Late 5th century – Vulgate scholar Alcuin develops first standardized version.
- 8th century – Vulgate referenced to resolve doctrinal disputes during the Carolingian Renaissance.
- 11th century – Abbey of Cluny adopts the Vulgate, spreading its influence.
- Council of Tours (1163) – Declares the Vulgate as the authentic Latin Bible of the Church.
- Council of Trent (1546) – Reaffirms Vulgate’s authority and mandates its wide use.
By the Middle Ages, the Vulgate had become the primary Latin Bible. Vernacular (native language) translations were now often based on the Vulgate rather than the original Greek or Hebrew.
Relationship with the Catholic Church
For over 1500 years, the Latin Vulgate has held special importance within the Catholic Church. Here are some key aspects of this relationship:
Liturgy and Theology
The Vulgate shaped Catholic liturgy and theology during the Medieval era. Clergy studied and preached from the Vulgate. Its Latin text was used in services, prayers, and hymns. Catholic doctoral decrees and teachings referred back to the Vulgate.
This created a long tradition of Vulgate-based worship and doctrine within the Catholic church. Certain beliefs like Purgatory were influenced by interpretative Latin translations in the Vulgate.
Council of Trent
By the 16th century, the Vulgate faced challenges from early Protestant vernacular translations based on the original texts. In response, the Catholic Church affirmed the authority of the Vulgate at the Council of Trent (1546).
The Council upheld the Vulgate as the exclusive Latin standard, while also declaring the Church’s sole right to interpret Scripture. This reaffirmed the centrality of the Vulgate for Catholic faith and teaching.
Revisions
Efforts have been made occasionally to revise the Vulgate. However, the Church has generally resisted major changes in favor of tradition.
The Clementine Vulgate (1592) standardized the text against the oldest manuscripts. The Sixtus V Vulgate (1590) attempted revisions but was replaced quickly by the Clementine edition.
In 1943, Pius XII released the encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu permitting versions based on original texts. This led to revisions like the Nova Vulgata in 1979, but the traditional Vulgate remains in liturgical use.
Continued Significance
While the Vulgate is no longer the sole Catholic Bible, it retains special status and use:
- Remains the official Bible of the Latin Rite church.
- Used in high ceremonies and rites like installations of popes or bishops.
- Included in liturgy and readings during Mass.
- Referenced for doctrines and teachings established prior to Divino Afflante Spiritu.
So while rarely used today for study or devotion, the Vulgate remains connected to Catholic history and tradition.
Manuscripts and Critical Editions
Given its long history, the Vulgate exists today in various manuscript traditions and critical editions. Here are some key examples that scholars consult:
Early Manuscripts
Thousands of Vulgate manuscripts remain from medieval times. Important examples include:
- Codex Amiatinus (c. 700) – One of the oldest and most complete Vulgate texts.
- Lindisfarne Gospels (c. 700-750) – Illuminated Vulgate text of the Gospels.
- Codex Cavensis (9th century) – Used by Alcuin for revisions.
- Winchester Bible (c. 1150-80) – Illuminated Vulgate produced in Winchester.
These manuscripts provide important textual witnesses for determining the early Vulgate content and transmission.
Critical Editions
Over the centuries, scholars have compiled critical editions of the Vulgate based on in-depth manuscript research. Key editions include:
- Sixtine Vulgate (1590) – Attempted official edition under Sixtus V.
- Clementine Vulgate (1592) – Authoritative edition used by Catholic church.
- Oxford Vulgate (1889-1954) – Scholarly critical edition based on more manuscripts.
- Stuttgart Vulgate (1969-) – Modern critical edition from the German Bible Society.
These editions provide refined Vulgate texts for scholars studying its history and manuscript tradition.
Language and Style
One of the Vulgate’s distinguishing features is its particular Latin style and language. This was shaped by Jerome’s translation approach as well as its evolving textual history.
Characteristics of Vulgate Latin include:
- Literalism – Often very literal to the source text, even if clumsy in Latin.
- Hebraisms – Retention of some Hebrew and Aramaic idioms foreign to Latin.
- Specialized vocabulary – Coined terms for concepts lacking in Latin.
- Increased uniformity – Alignment of the vocabulary and style across books.
- Simplification – Simpler grammatical forms and sentence structure.
- Traditionalism – Archaic word choices reflecting Vulgate’s age.
The Vulgate is often considered “poor Latin” by classical standards. But it represents a unique translation style and distinctive linguistic snapshot of its era.
Influence on Vernacular Translations
For over 1000 years, the Vulgate was the definitive Bible translation for Western Christianity. Not surprisingly, it heavily influenced subsequent Bible versions into vernacular (native) languages.
Some major examples of this influence include:
- Old English Versions – Earliest English translations like the Wessex Gospels were based on the Vulgate.
- Wycliffe Bible – John Wycliffe’s 14th century English Bible relied extensively on the Vulgate.
- Luther Bible – Martin Luther’s pioneering German translation used the Vulgate alongside Hebrew and Greek texts.
- King James Version – Many word choices and readings derived from the Vulgate.
- Rheims New Testament – English Catholic translation from the Vulgate rather than Greek manuscripts.
In many cases, these translations perpetuated Vulgate readings that differed from the original texts. But the Vulgate provided an indispensable starting point for making the Bible accessible to everyday Christians in their native tongues.
Textual Comparison with Original Languages
When compared against the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek source texts, the Vulgate exhibits differences in content, readings, and theology. Here are some examples of how the Vulgate varies from the original languages:
Additions Not Present in the Original Languages
- The Comma Johanneum in 1 John 5:7-8 – Lacks support in early Greek manuscripts.
- “Hail Mary” in Luke 1:28 – Reflects later Marian doctrine.
- Story of Jesus and the woman taken in adultery in John 7:53-8:11 – Probably a later addition.
Differences in Meaning and Theology
- “Repentance” instead of “turn” or “return” for Hebrew shuv – Alters concept of repentance.
- Different theological shading – e.g. Exodus 33:20 “die” vs. “not see me and live.”
- Messianic prophecies translated with Christian interpretation – e.g. “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14.
Influence from Old Latin Versions
Some Old Latin version variants made their way into the Vulgate text:
- “My just man shall live by faith” in Habakkuk 2:4 – from Old Latin, not the Hebrew.
- Lord’s Prayer doxology “For thine is the power…” – not present in earliest Greek manuscripts.
- Ending of Mark’s Gospel contains resurrection appearances – reflects an early Latin variant.
So in many places the Vulgate does not fully represent the earliest Greek and Hebrew texts. This is partly due to source limitations for early translators.
Apocryphal Books in the Vulgate
The Vulgate contains the books considered apocryphal/deuterocanonical by most Protestants. These books are still considered canon by the Catholic church. The apocryphal books in the Vulgate include:
- 1 Esdras
- 2 Esdras
- Tobit
- Judith
- Rest of Esther
- Wisdom
- Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
- Baruch
- Song of the Three Children
- Story of Susanna
- Bel and the Dragon
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
Jerome himself was initially wary of these books. He placed them in a separate section noting they were not fully authoritative. But later generations accepted all books in the Vulgate Old Testament as scriptural.
Key Takeaways on the Latin Vulgate
In summary, here are some key facts to remember about the Latin Vulgate Bible:
- Commissioned in the 4th century by Pope Damasus I, translated by Jerome over 20 years.
- Provides an authoritative Latin translation used widely during the Medieval era.
- Shaped Catholic worship, doctrine, theology for over 1000 years.
- Remains the official Bible for Catholic liturgy and tradition.
- Influenced countless vernacular translations like the King James Version.
- Exhibits some differences from the original Hebrew and Greek.
- Includes the deuterocanonical books affirmed at the Council of Trent.
- Represents an important milestone for Western Christianity and Bible translation.
The Latin Vulgate Bible stands out as a landmark achievement that shaped the course of Western culture in many ways. Its legacy continues today within Catholicism and biblical studies.
