Nicholas of Lyra's Apocalypse Commentary

by Nicolaus de Lyra, Consortium for the Teaching of the Middle Ages Staff, Philip D.W. Krey (Translator)

Surveys of the history of biblical exegesis and, in particular, the history of Apocalypse commentaries rarely fail to allude to Nicholas of Lyra O.F.M. (1270-1349) as the greatest biblical exegete of the fourteenth century. Late medieval and Reformation verses were written about him. Nicholas was born in the town of Lyre, near Evreux in Normandy. Since Evreux was a center of Jewish studies, he was able to cultivate his interest in Hebrew and to become thoroughly acquainted with the Talmud, Midrash, and the works of Rashi (Solomon ben Issac, 1045-1105). Lyra's attraction to Rashi's literal method would have a profound influence on his exegetical style.

250 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Alan Fuller]

If you feel the interpretation of futurists is too wild and speculative, then you should read the interpretations of the early historicists. The arbitrariness of the futurist pales in comparison. Nicholas helped popularize "literal" interpretation and the historicist view of Revelation. He gave a historiographical revision of the prophetic literary genre. Krey writes an excellent introduction.