The Textual Significance of Spanish Polyglot Bibles

Abstract

Within the history of the Biblical text, the 16th century Spanish Polyglot Bibles are monumental productions that do not deserve to fall into oblivion. This article points out the historical and philological aspects that better reveal their significance in the world of the Renaissance and their unquestionable transcendence in Biblical philology. Cardinal Cisneros' tenacity and generosity first, and then Benito Arias Montano's knowledge made possible the edition of these two Spanish Polyglot Bibles, the Complutensian and the Royal. They constitute the point of departure of modern Biblical textual criticism, whose principles keep alive that initial spirit that leads to a wider acquaintance with the text.