Benedict Welte
Encyclopedia
Benedict Welte was a German Catholic exegete.
After studying at Tübingen
and Bonn
, where he made special studies in the exegesis of the Old Testament and in Oriental languages, he was ordained priest when twenty-eight years old. Soon after this he became assistant lecturer at Tübingen, and in 1840 regular professor of Old Testament exegesis.
, in 1840, Historisch-kritische Enleitung in die hl. Schriften des alten Testamentes. Much of the material for this work had ben gathered by his predecessor, Johann Georg Herbst
, who left a request that Welte should finish and edit his notes. Welte was not in fact in sympathy with the method of Herbst; and at times found it necessary to append his own views and arguments. The second part of the same work began to appear in 1842. Two years later, a third volume, completing the task, published as Specielle Einleitung in die deutero-canonischen Bucher des alten Testamentes came from the pen of Welte alone.
Before this, in 1841, the translation of Gorium's Armenian biography of St. Mesrob appeared in the university annual publication. In the same year he wrote Nachmosaisches im Pentateuch, contending that there was no post-Mosaic matter in the Pentateuch. His explanation and translation of the Book of Job
was published at Freiburg, 1849.
Meanwhile, in company with the orientalist Heinrich Joseph Wetzer
, he had begun his real life-work. Together they edited the 12 volumes of the Kirchenlexikon, an encyclopedia of Catholic theology and its allied sciences. To this work Welte himself contributed 200 articles, and his literary activity closed with the completion of the encyclopedia. This was due partly to the duties of a canon's office which he assumed, 22 May 1857, at the cathedral of Rottenburg am Neckar
, and partly to an incurable disease of the eyes.
After studying at Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
and Bonn
Bonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
, where he made special studies in the exegesis of the Old Testament and in Oriental languages, he was ordained priest when twenty-eight years old. Soon after this he became assistant lecturer at Tübingen, and in 1840 regular professor of Old Testament exegesis.
Works
He published at FreiburgFreiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
, in 1840, Historisch-kritische Enleitung in die hl. Schriften des alten Testamentes. Much of the material for this work had ben gathered by his predecessor, Johann Georg Herbst
Johann Georg Herbst
Johann Georg Herbst was a German Orientalist.Herbst was born in Rottweil, in Württemberg. His college course, begun in the Gymnasium of his native city, was pursued in the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter in the Black Forest and in 1806 Herbst registered at the University of Freiburg...
, who left a request that Welte should finish and edit his notes. Welte was not in fact in sympathy with the method of Herbst; and at times found it necessary to append his own views and arguments. The second part of the same work began to appear in 1842. Two years later, a third volume, completing the task, published as Specielle Einleitung in die deutero-canonischen Bucher des alten Testamentes came from the pen of Welte alone.
Before this, in 1841, the translation of Gorium's Armenian biography of St. Mesrob appeared in the university annual publication. In the same year he wrote Nachmosaisches im Pentateuch, contending that there was no post-Mosaic matter in the Pentateuch. His explanation and translation of the Book of Job
Book of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
was published at Freiburg, 1849.
Meanwhile, in company with the orientalist Heinrich Joseph Wetzer
Heinrich Joseph Wetzer
Heinrich Joseph Wetzer was a German Orientalist...
, he had begun his real life-work. Together they edited the 12 volumes of the Kirchenlexikon, an encyclopedia of Catholic theology and its allied sciences. To this work Welte himself contributed 200 articles, and his literary activity closed with the completion of the encyclopedia. This was due partly to the duties of a canon's office which he assumed, 22 May 1857, at the cathedral of Rottenburg am Neckar
Rottenburg am Neckar
Rottenburg am Neckar is a medium-sized town in the administrative district of Tübingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It rests about 50 km southwest of the provincial capital Stuttgart and about 12 km southwest of the district town Tübingen...
, and partly to an incurable disease of the eyes.