Vulgate

 

  • Deriving its name from the Latin ‘vulgata editio’, or ‘popular edition’, this Latin Bible was pronounced “authentic” by the Council of Trent.

 

  • Originally used to describe the Greek Septuagint Old Testament used by the early Fathers of the Church, the term was transferred to the Latin version of the whole Bible.

 

  • Used extensively during the first centuries in the Western church, the present Vulgate was compiled by St. Jerome, using the Greek Septuagint but later making use of the original Hebrew texts.

 

  • Over the next twelve centuries, the text of the Vulgate was copied (transmitted) with less and less accuracy. The Council of Trent revised the corrupt versions around 1550 and this is the basic Latin text still used by scholars today.