Sefer Hashorashim by the Radak – with Signatures. Venice, [1546-1548].

Sefer Hashorashim by the Radak – with Signatures. Venice, [1546-1548].

Sefer Hashorashim, Hebrew roots, by Rabbi David Kimchi (the Radak), with some reasoning added by Rabbi Eliya Halevi [Bechor] the grammarian. Section II of the Radak's famed work, Sefer Hamichlol.

In his grammar book, Michlol, the Radak introduced the doctrine of ancient grammarians. The first section of the work (Chelek Hadikduk) is a grammar book. The second section (Chelek HaInyan) is a dictionary of Biblical language alphabetized by three-letter roots (Shorashim), which over time, became known as Sefer Hashorashim. Sefer Hashorashim is a summary of the Shorashim books and biblical commentaries of the sages of Spain, with the Radak's conclusions and Chidushim.

On the title page of the book, an ownership notation in ancient Sephardic script: "זה הספר קניתי אותו... אני מנחם יצחק זה שמי לעולם וזה זכרי לדור ודור".

And on the last page, another ownership notation in ancient Sephardic script: "זה הספר יש שלי יצחק אלחנן יצ"ו זה שמי לעולם וזה זכרי לדור ודור".

Title page with a fine woodcut. In addition, inside the book, decorated initial letters.

The date on the title page: Marcheshvan 1546; however, the printing of the book was completed in Adar 1548, as written in the poem by Rabbi Eliyahu Bechor at the end of the book ("נחקק וגם נחרט / בש"ח לפרט // בראש לחדש סוף / לחדשים").

Venice, [1546-1548]. The Press of Marco Antonio Giustiniani.

[2] pp. 5-548 columns, [1] p. 32.5 cm. Good condition. Taping to the edges of the title page. Stains. Quality paper. Elegant new leather binding.