Bible from Bohemia

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Biblia latina (Bible in Latin). Bohemia, fifteenth century. Parchment. Medieval and Renaissance Manuscript Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress

Call number: MEDMS7

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The size and configuration of this Bible indicates that it was intended to be a portable Bible, likely created in Bohemia in the early fifteenth century.

The illuminated initial “L” shown here marks the opening word “Locutus” (to say) from the Book of Numbers. Moses is portrayed on his knees. On his head are horns, a traditional depiction derived from a slight mistranslation of the Hebrew word for “ray of light.”