Vatable (Vateble, Vastebled, Guastebled), Francois
Vatable (Vateble, Vastebled, Guastebled), Francois a learned Frenchman, was a native of Gamache, in Picardy, and served as pastor of Bramet, in Valois until Francis I made him professor of Hebrew in the newly founded College Royal at Paris. He was abbé of Bellozane when he died, March 16, 1547. His learning was comprehensive and his delivery attractive. He may be considered the restorer of the study of Hebrew in France. He wrote nothing for publication. A Latin version of the Parva Naturalia made by, him is appended to Duval's edition of Aristotle; and Robert Stephens printed notes on the Old Test. said to be by Vatable, which obtained considerable fame. The notes, however, correspond in part with those of Calvin and other Protestant writers, and were condemned as heretical by the doctors of the Sorbonne, thus involving both Stephens and Vatable in trouble. Stephens's Bible, alleged to be by Vatable, contained the Vulgate, Leo Juda's translation, and the notes already mentioned, and appeared in a first edition in 1545, 8vo, and in a second edition in 1547, folio. The latest edition is that of Nicholas Henry (Paris, 1729-45, 2 vols.
fol.). Stephens published a separate edition of the book of Psalms with yet more extended notes (Geneva, 1556 sq.), from which G. J. B. Vogel republished them, together with those of Grotius (Hal. Magd. 1767, 8vo), and they were again reprinted in the Critici Sacr. They are characterized by special regard for the grammar and idioms of the Hebrew language. See the Biographie Universelle, 67, 569 sq.; Jocher, Gelehrten-Lexikon (Col. 1466), vol. 4. The latter refers to Adam, Vithe Eruditorum; Samarthani, Elogia Gallorum; Teissier, Eloges des Savans; and Blount, Censura Celebrium Auctorum, as his sources. Herzog, Real Encyklop. s.v.
