‎WALTHER, MICHAEL.‎
‎Spongia Mosaica, Sive Abstersio turpissimorum Abusuum.‎

‎Nurnberg, Endterus, 1642. 4to. In contemporary full vellum with yapp edges and gilt lettering to spine. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. Binding with light soiling and miscolouring. Closed tear to upper margin of engraved half-title. Internally nice and clean. (102), 939 pp. + frontispiece.‎

Reference : 60797

‎Rare first edition of Walther’s work on Mosaic law as outlined in the Pentateuch. Michael Walther (1593-1662) was a German theologian and scholar born in Nuremberg. Initially studying medicine in Wittenberg, he later shifted his focus to theology, continuing his studies in Giessen and Jena. He served as an adjunct at the philosophical faculty in Jena before becoming court preacher to Duchess Elisabeth of Braunschweig and a professor in Helmstedt. In 1626, Waltherus was appointed as the general superintendent in East Frisia, and in 1642, he assumed the same role in Celle, where he remained until his death on February 9, 1662. Waltherus was known for his work in Protestant Bible studies, approaching critical questions with a Lutheran orthodox perspective. Waltherus discussed canonical books, distinguishing between those with unquestionable apostolic authorship and those with some doubts, such as the Epistle to the Hebrews, the letters of James and Jude, and the Apocalypse. (See 'Deutsche Biographie')‎