The Twenty-Four Books of the Holy Scriptures, Isaac Leeser, Philadelphia: 5614 [1853–54]

[iv], 1011 pages (10  3/4  in.; 275 x 205 mm). Occasional slight foxing; lightly soiled and stained; marginal repairs to approximately 20 leaves (no text affected). Modern period style binding with marbled endpapers, gilt tooled leather and raised bands.

first edition of the first translation of the complete Hebrew bible into English by a Jew

Isaac Leeser's literary magnum opus and most lasting contribution to Judaism in America was his English translation of the entire Hebrew Bible, first printed in 1854. The impetus for Leeser was his desire to provide the Jews of America with an English text of the Bible that was produced by one of their own and was not tainted by conversionist motivations.  In his preface, Leeser characterizes this culmination of his long years of endeavor as having finally provided for his fellow Jews "a version of the Bible which has not been made by the authority of churches in which they have no confidence." Leeser's endeavors resulted in his translation being frequently reprinted.

The impetus for Leeser throughout was always his desire to provide the Jews of America with an English text of the Bible that was produced by one of their own and was not tainted by conversionist motivations.  In his preface to the present volume, Leeser characterizes this culmination of his long years of endeavor as having finally provided for his fellow Jews "a version of the Bible which has not been made by the authority of churches in which they have no confidence." (Deinard 847; Singerman 1271; Goldman 12).