Glossa Ordinaria

biblical work

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July 16, 2026

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The Glossa Ordinaria was a significant biblical work from the Middle Ages, compiled primarily in the 12th century. It is essentially a collection of interpretations and explanations of biblical texts, drawing heavily from the writings of earlier Church fathers and medieval scholars. This compilation served as a standard exegetical tool for centuries, influencing major theological works like the Summa Theologiae by Thomas Aquinas.1

The Glossa Ordinaria was not a single author's work but rather a digest of existing commentaries, with initial contributions attributed to figures like Anselm of Laon. Its purpose was to provide a comprehensive and authoritative understanding of scripture, making complex theological ideas more accessible during a period of intense intellectual development in Europe.1

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biblical literature
The medieval period
…was greatly influenced by the Glossa Ordinaria, a digest of the views of the leading fathers and early medieval doctors (teachers) on biblical interpretation. This compilation owed much in its initial stages to Anselm of Laon (died 1117); it had reached its definitive form by the middle of the 12th…
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…was greatly influenced by the Glossa Ordinaria, a digest of the views of the leading fathers and early medieval doctors (teachers) on biblical interpretation. This compilation owed much in its initial stages to Anselm of Laon (died 1117); it had reached its definitive form by the middle of the 12th…
Read More