Vence, Bible of

VENCE BIBLE, - A French edition of the Bible with commentary, prepared by Enrico Francesco V. (c. 1675-1749), which appeared at Nancy (1738-43) in 22 vols. The designation, however, came into use only with the edition (17 vols.) prepared by L. St. Rondet (1717-85) at Avignone (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 revision by I. Le Maistre (v.) known as de Sacy.

L. de Carrières (1662-1717) republished it, somewhat paraphrasing II. The brief explanatory additions are inserted in italics. The work, enriched with notes and special dissertations by de Carrières and Calmet, enjoyed wide circulation. V. Bossuet. Despite the slight value of some parts and certain outdated or disconcerting hypotheses, the work had many editions, both with the translation or paraphrase alone and together with extensive commentaries drawn from various authors: for example, the Ste Bible de V. en latin et en français (5th ed., Parigi 1827-33) comprises 27 vols., of which the first consists solely of introductory dissertations, the twenty-fifth contains certain apocryphal books, and the twenty-sixth writings of the Apostolic Fathers. This edition was also translated into Italian, but adapted to the version of Martini (Milano 1830-40). Angelo Penna