Jerome of Stridon, who would become known as Saint Jerome, was an early Christian priest, theologian, and translator, chiefly remembered for his translation of the Bible into Latin, and for his commentaries on the text. Unlike other early translators of the Bible, he translated the Old Testament directly from Hebrew, which he had learned from a Jew who had converted to Christianity, and from a Christian community of Jewish origins in Antioch.
Jerome’s use of a Hebrew text was considered controversial at the time, and he was criticised by some of the other great scholars of the day, including Augustine. But the Vulgate translation he created became the standard Bible of the Roman Catholic Church and was affirmed at the Council of Trent in the 16th century, so he is rightly acclaimed as one of the most influential figures in Church – and, by extension, world – history.
Jerome’s legacy is referenced in the many icons and other works of art that depict him in the act of writing.
At 101translations, we would like to see many more translators immortalised in gilded frames.
Well, we can dream…
Photo Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/open-book-TNlHf4m4gpI
