Jerome Produces the Latin Vulgate
Jerome revised the Latin Gospels and translated most of the Old Testament from Hebrew, creating the foundation of the Vulgate.
Full Account
Pope Damasus asked Jerome to improve the inconsistent Old Latin Gospel texts. Jerome compared Greek manuscripts and produced a revision. He later worked in Bethlehem and translated most Old Testament books directly from Hebrew rather than merely revising the Greek-based Latin.
The Vulgate was not one uniform edition instantly adopted everywhere. Its component books, older Latin translations, and later copying history gradually formed the standard medieval Latin Bible.
Historical Significance
The Vulgate became the dominant Bible of western Christianity for roughly a thousand years and deeply influenced theology, worship, education, and later vernacular translations.
People, Places and Sources
- Key people: Jerome; Pope Damasus I
- Key places: Rome; Bethlehem
- Languages: Hebrew, Greek, Latin