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Studia Traditionis Theologiae, vol. 67
Tabernacle, Table, Ark, and Text
Richard of Saint Victor on the Interpretation of Scripture
Hugh Feiss
- Pages: approx. 228 p.
- Size:156 x 234 mm
- Language(s):English, Latin
- Publication Year:2026
- € 65,00 EXCL. VAT RETAIL PRICE
- ISBN: 978-2-503-62378-8
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- ISBN: 978-2-503-62379-5
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Richard of St. Victor’s writings on the Tabernacle, combining a literal explanation with works exploring its allegorical significance, collectively reveal how he contemplated, applied, taught, and exemplified the craft of biblical interpretation.
Subject(s)
BIO
Hugh Bernard Feiss, OSB, serves as managing editor and contributor for Brepols’ ten-volume Victorine Texts in Translation. He co-edited and contributed to the two-volume Benedictine Reader (Liturgical Press) and has written on, as well as translated, works by Peter of Celle and other medieval Benedictines. His studies took him to the Catholic University of America (STL, PhL), Sant’ Anselmo in Rome (STD), and the University of Iowa (MA). He later taught for thirty years at Mount Angel Seminary.
Summary
Richard of Saint Victor (d. 1173) is widely recognized for his commentaries on the spiritual senses of Scripture and for his theological contributions to Trinitarian doctrine, the Christian life, and contemplation. This study highlights two additional and often overlooked dimensions of his thought: his sustained reflections on the art of biblical interpretation, both literal and spiritual, and his detailed interpretations of the Tabernacle of Moses and its contents. It presents improved Latin texts together with English translations of Richard's Literal Explanation of the Tabernacle and his Allegories on the same subject. The result is a fresh appreciation of Richard's interest in the literal meaning of Old Testament sacred architecture and of his theory and practice of biblical interpretation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter One: Richard of Saint Victor, Explanatio of the Literal Meaning of the Tabernacle
Introduction
Text
Translation
Commentary
Conclusions and Questions
Chapter Two: Richard of Saint Victor, Allegoriae tabernaculi foederis
Introduction
Text
Translation
Allegoriae and De archa Moysis (De contemplatione, De archa mystica).
Why did Richard Write the Allegoriae?
Allegoriae and the Explanatio of the Literal Meaning of the Tabernacle
Chapter Three: The Tabernacle, Ark, Table and Menorah in the Liber exceptionum; The Menorah in Sermones centum 81; and The Table in Sermones centum 95
Introduction
Liber exceptionum 2.3.2, 9, 11
Comparison of the Meanings of the Ark in the Allegoriae and Liber exceptionum 2.3.9.
Sermones centum 81 On the Feast of St. Gregory, about the lampstand
Introduction
Gregory the great as Source and Subject Sermones centum 81
Translation
Commentary
Sermones centum 95: On the Table in the Book of Exodus in Praise of Sacred Scripture
Conclusion
Chapter Four: The Table of the Scriptures
Allegories, lines 258-337: The Table
Liber exceptionum: Prologues to the Second Part
Richard’s Theology of Scriptural Interpretation
Revelation
Dimensions of Scripture
Inspiration, Purpose, Canon and Textual Transmission, Content, Multiplicity of Meanings, Interpretation, Authority
The Context of Continuing Interpretation
The Apostles
The Church after the Apostles
Conclusion
Chapter Five: Into the Promised Land: The Ark of the Covenant in De Extermianatione mali et promotione boni
Introduction: Res gestae
De exterminatione mali et promotione boni
Exodus from Evil to Good
The Ark: From Good to Better
The Rocks: Remembered Virtue and Sin
Summary and Conclusions
