VENCE, Bible of. - French edition of the Bible with commentary, edited by Henri François V. (ca. 1675-1749), which appeared at Nancy (1738-43) in 22 vols. The name, however, came into use only with the edition (17 vols.) edited by L. St. Rondet (1717-85) at Avignon (1767-73). The basis of this Bible is the translation of Jansenist origin published in 1667 (New Testament) and completed in 1672-95 in the reworking by I. Le Maistre (v.) called de Sacy.
L. de Carrières (1662-1717) republished it, paraphrasing it somewhat. The brief explanatory additions are inserted in italics. The work, enriched with notes and special dissertations due to de Carrières and to Calmet, had a wide circulation. V. was encouraged especially by Bossuet. Despite the slight value of some parts and certain outdated or disconcerting hypotheses, the work had many editions, either with the translation or paraphrase alone or in conjunction with extensive commentaries drawn from various authors: for example, the Ste Bible de V. en latin et en français (5th ed., Paris 1827-33) comprises 27 vols., of which the first consists of introductory dissertations alone, the 25th contains some apocryphal books and the 26th writings of the Apostolic Fathers. This edition was also translated into Italian, but adapted to Martini's version (Milan 1830-40).
Angelo Penna