Bellermann, Johann Joachim

Bellermann, Johann Joachim a German theologian, was born at Erfurt on Sept. 23, 1754. After finishing his studies at the University of Gottingen, he accepted in 1778 a position as a private tutor in Russia. On his return in 1782 he became professor of theology in the University of Erfurt. After the suppression of this university he was called to Berlin as director of one of the colleges ("gymnasia"), and was at the same time appointed extraordinary professor at the University and consistorial councillor. He died Oct. 25, 1824. He is the author of numerous philological and theological works. The most important of the latter are Handbuch der biblischen Literatur (Erfurt, 1787, 4 vols.); Versuch einer Metrik der Hebraer (Berlin, 1813); Nachrichten aus dem Alterthume uber Essaer und Therapeuten (Berlin, 1821); Urim und Thummim, die altesten Gemmen (Berlin, 1824); Ueber die Gemmen der Alten mit dem Abraxasbilde (3 pamphlets, Berlin, 1817-'19). — Brockhaus, Conversationslexicon. s.v.; Hoefer, Biographie Generale, 5, 251.