György Benyik:
A Short Chronology of Hungarian Biblical Studies
To make an overview of the Hungarian biblical studies is a task that has never been undertaken. There are difficulties of confessional as well as of historical nature. Theology and biblical studies in Hungarian are being carried out also over the borders of the country: the most significant works are attached to Cluj, Romania. However, to make records of these publications raises plenty of difficulties. We have considered writing a lexicon of Hungarian biblical studies; however, due to the revision of data, this work has slowed down. Thus, in order to make orientation easier, I intent to present the history of Hungarian biblical studies through the following chronology; I make it parallel to international results or to documents of the history of study. Hungarian Bible scholars, the more significant Hungarian Bible translations and publications, the foundation of the most important ecclesiastical theologies and the date of the foundations of such libraries are all compiled in a single table. German, English, French, Italian etc. Bible scholars and publications that have had a significant influence on Hungarian Bible scholars are also recorded in the chronology. Pontifical and council declarations related to the Bible and the date and the short contents of the declarations of the Pontifical Biblical Commission are also included in the table since these declarations have had a significant effect on the research work of Hungarian Catholic Bible scholars. A high percentage of Biblical studies in Hungary are being carried out within the framework of different church confessions. Researchers, linguists and historians of ancient history of the Catholic, Reformed, Calvinist, Baptist, Jewish, etc. Churches all study the Bible. The coordination of the different researchers has not yet been carried out. The Biblical Conference of Szeged has made a modest attempt to achieve this goal; that is why its publications, which also serve the scholarly dialogue between the different confessions, are also included in the table. In several cases, the data of our chronology was recorded in the table based on individual and subjective decisions; predominantly Bible commentaries and such significant basic publications were included in the table that have been considered to be some scholarly event in Hungary. I do hope that we will be able to complete it with the missing publications in a study carried out in the future; however, I reckon that we are able to offer a more objective picture of Hungarian Biblical studies already with this present table.
International event, Declaration of the Catholic Church / Event in Hungary Institute, Biblical study, / Hungarian Bible scholars933—934 the defeat of invading Hungarians at Merseburg
1000 the coronation of Stephen — the beginning of church organization in Hungary / Bishop Saint Maurus of Pécs, 1000—1070
1001 foundation of the Archbishopric of Esztergom
1042? Gellert, bishop of Csanád (Deliberatio), an extract from the commentary of Daniel. It is the first biblical study prepared in Hungary, written in Latin, probably in 1042. Gellert also wrote a commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews but it was lost along with other writings of his. It was Károly Meichelbeck who discovered the manuscript in the Bavarian State Library in 1724, which was a copy of the writing of the end of the 11th century. It was published in 1790 by the bishop of Transylvania, Ignác Batthyany; its Hungarian translation was published in Szeged in 1999.
1348 foundation of the university of Prague; Hungarian Catholic theologians study here.
1348 A Jewish congregation was founded in Buda
1364 foundation of the university of Krakow; postgraduate education of Hungarian theologians
1365 the foundation of the universities of Vienna, Orange and Geneva
1366 foundation of the university of Kulm (Chełmno)
1367 foundation of the university of Pécs with a Faculty of Theology / Dénes Erdélyi 1397? — 1456
1369 foundation of the university of Lucca / László Báthory , 1415 — ca. 1487
1415 the first Hungarian translation of the Bible was the work of Tamás and Bálint, both born in Tatros; some fragments of it have been bequeathed to us in the codices of Vienna, Munich, etc. It is either a Hussite creation or a Franciscan one born for the compensation of the Hussite movement. / János Dominici, 1355/56—1418/19
ca. 1440 the invention of printing; Johannes Gutenberg, Mainz
Consilio Fiorentina (1438-1445) Cantate Domino (1441) / Bertalan Dobos (Halabor), 1430? – ca.1508? He copied Hungarian codices that contained extracts from the Holy Scriptures; these were made in 1508 and later the Hungarian Academy of Sciences named them Döbrentei Codices. The Döbrentei Codices include the Book of Psalms, the Song of Songs, the Book of Job, the Gospels and the Epistles. The original copy was taken to the bishopric library of Alba Iulia. It was published in volume XII of Nyelvemléktár [Repository of Linguistic Memories], edited by György Volf (Budapest, 1884) 7–113. l.). / Bertalan Dobos (Halabor) 1430? —ca.1508?
1452–1455 printing of the Latin Bible, the Vulgate; the Gutenberg Bible of 42 lines / Pelbárt Temesvári 1435—1504
1455—1510 Paupers' Bible all over Europe; in Germany, also in xylographic (woodcut) version. / Bálint (Valentine) 1436—?
1456 the 36-line Bible of Gutenberg: Vulgate in printing in Latin (100 copies).
1457 the Mainz Psalter in three colours
1457 according to tradition, László Báthori from the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit translated the whole Bible on the Mount of Gellert (lost?)
1458 Bibliotheca Corviniana of King Matthias: a famous collection of books in Buda
1465 the Franciscan Library in Gyöngyös
1471—1528 Albrecht Dürer, illustrator of the Bible (his ancestors lived in Ajtós, Hungary) / Gergely Coelius 1470? —1545
1472—1553 Lucas Granach the Elder: German painter and printmaker in woodcut, illustrator of the Bible
1494 printed Old Testament in Hebrew (Gershon ben Moses Socino) — Luther used this version
1495 John Bale compiles the first Bibliography
1495 Manutius — the first printed Greek grammar / Pál Baranyai (de Muche) 1470?—1545?
1497 Polyglot Bibles: Francisco Jiménez de Cistenos OFM (1436–1517)
Biblia Poliglotta Complutense 1514 / 1508 Döbrentei Codex: It was copied by Bertalan Halabori; it contains the translation of the Psalms and the Song of Songs, which had an influence on the psalm translations of Benedek Komjáthy.
1509 Bishophic School in Košice — the antecedent of the later Seminary of Eger / Balázs Székely 1500—1560
1516 New Testament text of Erasmus of Rotterdam (Textus Receptus?) Published by John Froberius; printed edition in Greek
Desiderius Erasmus (1466—1536): he used the Greek text of the New Testament for several translations of the 16th century. Attempt to create equilibrium between humanist spirituality and Christian devoutness. He prepared the critical edition of the Greek NT. Characteristic features of Erasmus: biblical literalism, anti—dogmatism, critical approach. / Bálint Mantskovics 1501?—1597, András Batizi 1510–1546?
1517 Martin Luther: he entered an Augustinian friary in 1505; he was ordained to the priesthood in 1507; he became a doctor of Theology in Wittenberg in 1512, and he became Doctor in Bible in the same year. In 1519, he had a determinant religious recognition (the Tower Experience). The justification of man does not happen through good deeds or from his own good will but solely from the grace of God (Rom 1:17). Reformation and schism were born from his initiation for renewal. He announces that solely faith is necessary for salvation: “sola fides”. He attacked the authority of the Pope, refused clerical celibacy and suggested the individual study of the Bible (see 1517, 1522).
31st October, 1517, Wittenberg: the Ninety-Five Theses of Luther appear on the gates of All Saints' Church. He attacks the whole system of penitence. Rome summons him. Frederic III the Wise, Elector of Saxony defences him.
1519 Codex Jordánszky — it contains the five books of Moses, Judges and Joshua from the Old Testament and the Epistle to the Hebrews and the four Gospels, all in Hungarian. / Ferenc Dávid 1510—1579
1520 Complutensian Polyglot Bible — initiated by Cardinal Franisco Jiménez de Cisnernos, at the university of Alcalá de Henares; as the Hexapla of Origen, it is also of six columns. The text was prepared between 1514 and 1517; its printing was belated due to the lack of printing licence. / Benedek Abádi ca. 1514 — ca. 1550
1521 Diet of Worms: Luther is granted immunity. He refuses to withdraw his doctrines. He swears to the Holy Scriptures. The Diet delivers a verdict over Luther. By the Edict of Worms, his doctrines are prohibited.
Cambridge University Press is founded.
1522 the Greek New Testament of Erasmus in a revised edition (3) / Péter Ilosvay (Selymes?) 1520 —1580
1522 Luther's translation of the New Testament (September Bible) — printed by Melchior Lotter the Younger
1531 Reformed College of Sárospatak, originally a house of the Franciscan Order.
1534 the complete translation of the Bible by Luther is published. Printed by Hans Luft in Wittenberg / .
1536 the letters of "Zent Paal" — printed Bible translated by Benedek Komáthy, influenced by Erasmus. Gábor Pesti Mizsér: New Testament in Hungarian. / Pál Karádi , 1523 —1587, István Basilius 1525 —1592, Gáspár Károli (Radics) 1530—1591, Miklós Telegdi 1535 —1586
1538 foundation of the Reformed College of Debrecen. The Great Library of the Reformed College of Debrecen is founded.
1548 István Beczédi Székely: Psaltery (Krakow) / Péter Bornemissza 1535—1548, Tamás Félegyházi ca. 1540—1586, István Arator (Szántó) 1541—1612
1541 Gáspár Heltai: translation of the Book of Genesis (Cluj) / Miklós Bogáthi Fazekas 1548 —1598
1551 Gáspár Heltai: Five Books of Moses — Cluj / János Erasmus 1550—1601, György Enyedi 1555—1597
1552 Gáspár Heltai: translation of Ecclesiastes, Book of Wisdom — Cluj
1556 John Calvin 1509—1564, reformer of Switzerland. His main work is Institutio religionis christianae (Institutes of the Christian Religion). From 1541 in Geneva: council of churches introduced, theocratic reign (Church and state regulations). The community regulates itself, the Pastor is called (predicator); doctors (masters), elders (ecclesiastical superiors), deacons (take care of the ill). Church coercion: prohibition of games and dances, interdiction of images, altars and candles. The counter-moves of the Genovese people are seriously avenged by the "God-state" (58 capital punishment until 1546). Calvin predicates of predestination; good deeds and the avoidance of sin is the sign of being a chosen one.
the New Testament translated byTódor Béza (Théodore de Bèze) / Lénárt Basilius 1568 —1613, Péter Pázmány 1570—1637
1556 Theological College of Esztergom – following the decision of the Council of Trent, the Archbishop of Esztergom Miklós Oláh (1553—1568) founded the Seminary of the Esztergom Diocese 19th May 1566.
1557 foundation of the Latin School of Sopron (Lutheran University) / Péter Alvinczi 1570 —1634
1560 Gáspár Heltai: translation of the New Testament (Cluj) / György Káldi 1572 —1634
1563 foundation of the Seminary of Győr — Bishop Miklós Dallos
Gábor Bethlen 1580—1629, keen supporter of Bible translations
1565 Gáspár Heltai: Translation of the Books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel and Kings
1566 foundation of the Seminary of Esztergom (archbishop Miklós Oláh) / Alexis János Kecskeméti 1589 —1620
1567 Péter Melius Juhász: translation of the New Testament (Szeged?)
Christopher Plantin : Antwerp Polyglot, (Biblia Regia or "King's Bible") Biblia Polyglotta Antwerp 1568-1573 / 1574 János Erdősi Sylvester: translation of the New Testament (Vienna)
1586 Tamás Félegyházi: translation of the New Testament (Debrecen) / Péter Bacca (Baka) 1590?—1660
1590 Reformed predicator Gáspár Károli et al.: complete translation of the Bible. After many revisions, the British and Foreign Bible Society spread this text. / Mihály Kecskeméti Vég: 16th century
1590 Vulgata Sixto—Clementina / András Dézsi (Desi) — 16th century?
Theodore Beza és 1565-1604
Greek New Testament, parallel text of the Vulgate and a translation of his own (published 1556). / 1608 Albert Szenczi Molnár: Psaltery (Hannau) and revision of the Károli version of the Bible / György Bátai 1602? —1698
1610 Jesuit Father György Káldi makes a Catholic Hungarian translation of the Vulgate. / János Heinrich Bisterfeld 1605—1655
1611 Foundation of the Cathedral Library of Esztergom / Bálint Baumgart 1610—1672, Márton Bagosi 1620? —1697, Kristóf Böhm 1626—1660, János Kájoni 1629—1630, Márton Albrich 1630—1694, Mihály I.Apafi 1632—1690, György Felvinczi 1645 —1716, Adami István ca. 1649 — ca. 1710
1622 in Alba Iulia, Gábor Bethlen creates a superior school of the Reformed college. / Miklós Tótfalusi Kis 1650—1702, Pál Baranyi 1657 —1719, András Torkos 1669—1737, György Besnyei 1675—1676
1624 the first psaltery translated from Hebrew into Hungarian (Simon Péchi, Unitarist) / Adolphus a Sancto Georgio 1681–1743, György Bárány 1682? —1757, Mátyás Bél 1684—1749
1627 translation of the Book of Psalms in manuscript by János Tordai
Márton Adami ? — ca.1690, György Bahil 1698? —1759
1633 Elzevir publishes the Greek New Testament; its second edition is Textus Receptus that becomes the source for many national New Testament translations. / Márta Sövényházy 16th century, Kristóf Akai 1707 —1766, Ferenc Csizmadia 1707—1762
1635 in Trnava, Péter Pázmány founds a university with a faculty of theology. The successor of this institute is the Eötvös Lóránd University of Budapest; originally, the Faculty of Theology was a part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of this university. The Faculty of Theology was acknowledged to be Pázmány Péter Catholic University by the Holy See in 1992. / István Ágh 1709—1786, Márton (Hunyadi) Abats 1710—1768, János Bárány 1710? —1760?, Péter Bod 1712—1769, Dávid Bíró 1713—1773
1638 translation of the Unitarist Psalms by Simon Péchi, in manuscript.
1661 revision of the Károli translation of the Bible— Sámuel Köleséri (Várad)
1675 John Fell: the Greek revised text of the New Testament is published in Oxford. / György Komáromi Csipkés: complete translation of the Bible — Leyden / A. S. Joanne de Cruce (József János Mangin) 1720–1794, György Kalmár 1726–1781
1685 revision of the Károli translation — Miklós Misztótfalusi Kis (Amsterdam)
Simon Richard: Grand Dictionaire de la Bible 2 volume Lyon 1693. / 1698 Jesuits open an academy in Cluj; this is the first institution of the university of Cluj. / András Bernolák 1727 —1788, Pál Árvay ca.1730 —1801
1694—1768 Hermann Samuel Reimarus: the most serious attack towards Christianity in the 18th century. Return to the question of the resurrection and the drunken disciples (the theory of the theft of Jesus' corpse). Biblical justification: contradictions in resurrection narratives. The writings of Reimarus were published by Lessing in 1774 under the title Fragments by an Anonymous Writer (Wolfenbüttelschen Fragmentisten). / Máté Balajthi 1732—?, Márton Forrai 1740—?, Acontius/Ákoncz (István Kövér) 1740–1824, Máté Eisenpeitl 1742—1796, Imre Balla 1750—1799, Johannes Nepomuk, Alber 1753—1830, Márkus Benedikt 1753 —1829, Mihály Bozóky 1755— 1839, János Mihály Endrődy 1756 —1824.