Sebastian Münster — Dictionarium Hebraicum / Hebrew Grammar (1524)

The OCR text for this page is fragmented due to the column-based layout of the original manuscript. The text follows here as reconstructed:

...when it was being printed under my press, it was offered to me, though I was scarcely permitted to read it except in haste and superficially. It was useful, however, as I shall indicate in its proper places. It was not my intention to publish this work, had I not been driven to it by certain students of Hebrew letters, and especially by Hieronymus Frobenius, who is incited to promote Hebrew letters not by profit, but by a certain singular love for that language. For I would truly be foolish if I were to bring forth my trifles of my own accord, especially in this age, in which nothing is valued unless it is perfectly polished. This fact deters many, even the most learned, from writing. Yet, the usefulness of others is, and always has been, of more value to me than the consideration of my own reputation. I do not fear appearing inelegant, provided that I am useful to many. I was otherwise going to publish a trilingual dictionary, just as I promised last year...