1 Textual Criticism of the Bible in the Spanish Renaissance

1. Studies in textual criticism have developed considerably over the last few centuries. At the present time, the results, the number of documents, and the studies which exist have meant that the criteria for their development have undergone many changes. Spain, indeed, is one of the countries with a large group of researchers who are dedicated to biblical textual criticism in all the original languages, principally, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Aramaic. It should also be remembered, however, that this is part of a long tradition of biblical studies in Spain which dates from the XVI century. There were many scholars already dedicated to the study of the Bible before this period, but their approach was different: I am referring to the large number of Jewish biblical commentators who compiled their studies in important collections of manuscripts, people such as Abraham Ibn Ezra, Qimhi, Maimonides, and Abrabanel. Their work was of prime importance for the development of textual criticism prior to the XVI century. This century was Spain’s age of glory in textual study but was followed by decades of relative obscurity until well into the XX century. 2. The foundation of the University of Alcalá dates back to the end of the XV century, when Pope Alexander VI issued a bull for the founding of a college for students. This was a positiv