Gabriel Sionita
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2024) |
Gabriel Sionita (
Life
Gabriel Sionita was born Jibrayil al-Sahyuni Al Karami in
Both de Thou and Duperron died within four years, and serious financial difficulties arose. In 1619, the
In 1626, as Gabriel held no classes owing to the lack of students, his stipend was curtailed. After some time, however, he was paid on the original offer; and in 1629, his salary was increased to 2,000 livres. In 1630, he recommenced work on the polyglot. He did not apply himself fully to the work, and was even accused of carelessness in the work. He again found himself in difficulties.
In the quarrel which ensued, Richelieu supported the editor, Guy Michel Lejay, against the Maronites. As it was feared that Gabriel might leave the country, the cardinal had him imprisoned in Vincennes (1640). He was released after three months, when he had signed an undertaking and given sureties that he would prepare the texts for the polyglot. He completed his great task some time before his death, at the age of 71.
Works
Gabriel's work in the polyglot included revising and correcting almost all of the Syriac and Arabic texts. He translated the Arabic and Syriac texts into Latin, with the exceptions of the
In 1619, his Geographia Nubiensis (meaning a translation of the Maronite editions of the same) of
1630 saw the publication of his Testamentum et pactiones inter Mohammedem et Christianae fidei cultores, an edition of the medieval Arabic document, the
Finally, three small pamphlets appeared between 1640 and 1642, one in Latin and two in French, containing his defence in the actions of Le Jay and Vitre.
References
- ^ al-Khuri, Ighnatius Tannus (February 1, 1940). "Jibrayil al-Sahyuni (1577-1648)". Al-Mashriq (2): 253–267.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Gabriel Sionita". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.