Reasons to subscribe

The Vetus Latina Database (VLD) comprises the comprehensive patristic records of the Vetus Latina Institut in Beuron.

The vast array of Latin biblical texts used from the second century AD/CE until the dominance of the Vulgate is collectively known as the Vetus Latina, or Old Latin Bible. This term refers to all Latin-translated biblical texts not found in the Vulgate. The textual tradition of the Vetus Latina is intricate and incomplete due to the limited number of extant manuscripts covering the biblical text, which are mainly demonstrated through biblical citations or allusions found in the writings of the Latin Fathers or Greek patristic authors translated into Latin at an early date.

The Latin Bible is fundamental to Western culture, bearing witness to the development of civilization through its many reworkings over the centuries. These variants are a key resource for theologians, historians, and literary scholars, showcasing multiple layers of language.

Abbot Joseph Denk collected all citations to the Latin Bible from the writings of the Church Fathers in the early twentieth century. His collection, deposited at Saint Martin Abbey in Beuron (Germany), serves as the foundation for editing the ancient Latin versions of the Bible at the Vetus Latina Institute within the abbey.

Aims & Scope

The VLD contains every citation, listed by book, chapter and verse of the Bible. The use of the application is simple. The application allows the scholar to search citations individually or as a whole, following the biblical structure to print the results. The result of the search is the image of the archival cards with the up-to-date information as it is held in the Vetus Latina Institute in Beuron. The interface is very straightforward.

The VLD also includes online consultation of the repertorium of H.J. Frede and its updates (H.J. Frede, Kirchenschriftsteller. Verzeichnis und Sigel, 4. aktualisierte Auflage, Freiburg, Herder, 1995; Aktualisierungsheft 1999, mise à jour par R. Gryson, Freiburg, Herder, 1999; mise à jour actuelle par R. Gryson, 2013).

Key Features

• Contains the comprehensive patristic records of the Vetus Latina Institut in Beuron
• Over 800,000 biblical citations
• The complete repertorium of H. J. Frede (Kirchenschriftsteller – Verzeichnis und Sigel, Freiburg, 1995) can be consulted online within the application, as well as the repertorium’s regular updates by Professor Gryson