1790 Eichhorn Einleitung ins Alte Testament Vol II Antique Theology Hebrew

An original 1790 Volume II of Johann Gottfried Eichhorn's important Einleitung ins Alte Testament (Introduction to the Old Testament).

Zweyter Theil – Zweyte vermehrte und verbesserte Ausgabe
(Volume II – Second Enlarged and Improved Edition)

Published in Reutlingen by Johannes Grözinger, 1790.

Johann Gottfried Eichhorn (1752–1827) was an influential German biblical scholar and orientalist. His Einleitung ins Alte Testament became an important early work in the development of historical and textual criticism of the Old Testament.

This second volume contains 610 numbered pages and discusses subjects including early Jewish scholars and Church Fathers, the Talmud and Rabbis, Hebrew manuscripts and editions of the Hebrew text, before examining individual books of the Old Testament including Moses/Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

The main text is printed in traditional German Fraktur type, with numerous passages, words and references printed in Hebrew, making this an attractive example of late 18th-century theological printing.

An especially interesting feature of this copy is its historic institutional provenance. The book bears a General Theological Seminary Library, Chelsea Square, New York presentation label stating that it was:

“Presented by Soc'y for Promoting Religion and Learning.”

Further historic library stamps, shelf numbers, manuscript annotations and the original library catalogue/circulation card remain with the book.

Bound in a simple light-coloured period binding with attractive red-stained page edges.

The final numbered page is 610, corresponding with the published bibliographical collation for Volume II.

Please note: this listing is for Volume II only. The original work was issued in three volumes.

A fascinating 236-year-old book with particular interest for collectors of antiquarian books, theology, biblical scholarship, Hebrew printing and institutional library provenance.

Condition Report

Good antique condition for a book dating from 1790.

The light-coloured period binding shows expected age-related marking, rubbing and wear, with some bumping and creasing to the boards and corners. The attractive red-stained page edges retain strong colour with some rubbing and marking.

Internally the pages show expected age toning with occasional spotting, staining and handling marks. The text remains clear and the volume reaches the correct final numbered page 610.

Former institutional library copy with General Theological Seminary Library, Chelsea Square, New York presentation label, library stamps, shelf numbers, manuscript markings and historic catalogue/circulation card retained.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.