De Legibus Hebraeorum, Ritualibus et earum Rationibus, by John Spencer. Hague: Arnoldum Leers, 1686. Latin. Three parts in one volume (including a general title page and separate title pages for each section).
A pioneering work by English theologian and Hebraist John Spencer (1630-1693), which laid the foundations of the science of comparative religion. In his work, Spencer introduced the idea that Judaism is not the earliest religion, and argued that many Jewish laws and customs originated in those of other Semitic peoples. Spencer relied on works by classic Greek and Roman writers, but also on the Bible, sayings of Jewish sages, Maimonides and other Jewish sources, to indicate the similarity between Jewish laws (Sabbath, circumcision, ritual immersion, and more) and ritual customs of ancient Semitic peoples. He claimed that Judaism was mostly influenced by ancient Egyptian rituals, from which it drew many of its laws and customs.
[36], 476, [28] pp; [4], 504, [20] pp. approx. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Notations and inked stamps on title page and several other leaves, Creases and tears to endpapers. Vellum-covered card binding, worn and stained (dark stains on front board; vellum is partly detached from card boards). Late notation on bottom of spine.