In Hebraeo habetur: The Hebrew biblical text in the literal commentary of Nicholas of Lyra on the book of lamentations

The literal commentary on the whole Bible, the Postilla Literalis of the French Franciscan scholar Nicholas of Lyra (1270-1349), is well known for its frequent use of Jewish sources, namely Hebrew versions of the biblical text, Jewish interpretations and traditions. Nicholas considered the Hebrew text as more reliable than that of the contemporary Vulgate. This, with the important exception of Old Testament verses which were christologically interpreted in Christian theology. Moreover, he gave precedence to the Hebrew biblical text over the Vulgate, and occasionally interpreted accordingly. The present research on the Postilla on Lamentations shows that while correcting the Latin text of the Bible, Nicholas was only partially successful in acknowledging the correct Hebrew text. In about half of these emendations he presents a version which reflects some widely known Jewish explanation instead of the Hebrew text itself. Sometimes he makes severe mistakes in the process of emending the Latin text, thus revealing his misunderstanding of Hebrew. Although Nicholas is often aware of the difference between the Hebrew and Christian textual tradition of the Bible, yet we find many occurrences where he ignores that difference, however significant. Thus it seems that this great exegete did not have sufficient qualifications for learning Hebrew sources, and he had to be assisted by an expert in the Jewish tradition, whether a Jew or a convert, who either helped him out with his reading from the Hebrew Bible or instructed him orally.