[Bible, Greek] Vetus Testamentum Graecum ex Versione Septuaginta Interpretum, Juxta Exemplar Vaticanum Romae editum, London: Roger Daniel, for John Martin and Jacob Allestrye, 1653, 8vo, later polished calf with raised bands and gilt spine with red title label 'Daniel's Septuagint', title in red and black with engraved printer's device, text of first part double column in Greek, divisional title for second part which contains the commentaries is lacking and incomplete (pp. 143-186 only), decorated initials, Lectori leaf to end

Ombersley Court, Worcestershire

The rare first printing in England of the Septuagint, the earliest translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek, made in the third century BC. The text was edited by the Unitarian controversialist John Biddle (1615-1662), whom the Parliamentary Commissioners imprisoned for his views. "Roger Daniel's version of the text of the Sixtine edition [was] prepared for the use of the scholars at Westminster School. This appeared in 1653 and was edited by the Socinian, John Biddle. Its publication may have owed something to the interest in the Septuagint generated by Codex Alexandrinus and the frustration produced by the failure of Young's attempts to edit it" (S. Mandelbrote, 'English Scholarship and the Greek Text of the Old Testament', p. 87).

The second part is often lacking in recorded copies, as here only partially remaining.

[Darlow & Moule 4692; Wing B-2178; S. Mandelbrote, "English Scholarship and the Greek Text of the Old Testament. 1620-1720. The Impact of the Codex Alexandrinus", in: A. Hessayon - N. Keene (eds.), Scripture and Scholarship in Early Modern England, Aldershot 2006, pp. 74-93.]