“bring…the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13)

The name of Jerome will forever be associated with the translation of the Scriptures. His Latin Vulgate was the greatest literary achievement of the foremost biblical scholar of his generation.

Born in 340 AD, dying in 419 AD – Jerome devoted his life to the pursuit of learning and the study of Holy Scripture. He was a great acquirer of books, with a growing library which accompanied him on his travels. His maxim was very clear – “To read the ancients, to hold fast the good, and never to depart from the Catholic faith”.

Unlike almost all of his contemporaries, Jerome possessed an exceptional command of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, surpassing even Augustine of Hippo in his knowledge of the biblical languages. He acquired Hebrew under the instruction of Jewish teachers during his mature years. He therefore devoted much of his life translating the Scriptures from the Hebrew and Greek into the common Latin of his day. Thus the Vulgate (“common” or “popular”) Bible was born.

Jerome became the greatest architect of biblical Latin, bequeathing to the Western Church not only a Bible but a literary style that endured for over a thousand years.

In later years his translation was idolised, when the peoples of Europe no longer spoke Latin, and other translations were forbidden. God subsequently called forth translators with their own vulgates in German, in English and in other barbaric tongues. Yes – I think Jerome who is perceived the father of all things Roman Catholic would have approved of a Wycliffe, a Luther and a Tyndale!

“God’s law is perfect and converts
The soul in sin that lies, 
God’s testimony is most sure,
And makes the simple wise.” (Psalm 19:7, Metrical)