Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why was St. Jerome’s translation of the Bible initially viewed with suspicion?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
St. Jerome
Saint Jerome, oil on canvas by José de Ribera (Jusepe de Ribera, Lo Spagnoletto), c. 1638–40; in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
St. Jerome’s translation of the Bible, known as the Vulgate, was initially met with suspicion for several key reasons:
- Challenge to the Septuagint: Because the Septuagint held canonical status within the church, Jerome’s decision to translate the Old Testament directly from the original Hebrew text—a pursuit he called Hebraica veritas—was perceived as casting doubt on the authenticity of the established Greek version.12
- Discordant Renderings: Jerome’s translation exhibited significant divergences from the existing Old Latin versions. These differences sounded discordant and unfamiliar to those accustomed to traditional renderings.2
- Fear of Division: Prominent figures, including St. Augustine, expressed concern that these departures from tradition could create a theological and cultural rift between the Greek and Latin churches.2
Despite this initial resistance, the inherent quality of Jerome’s work eventually secured its status as the standard Latin Bible throughout Western Christendom by the 8th century.12