In this episode of “Liana’s Favorite Books,” Dr. Liana Lupas takes you on a tour of a small book that is among the most precious in American Bible Society’s collection: William Tyndale’s English Pentateuch.

The Pentateuch (also known as the Torah in Judaism) includes the first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This translation was completed by an Englishman named William Tyndale in 1530. It was the first English translation of Scripture based on the original Hebrew. Tyndale had also translated and published the first New Testament to be printed in English in 1526.

Inspired by the Reformation, Tyndale believed that Scripture should be translated from the original Hebrew and Greek. Unfortunately, this belief forced him to flee England as an exile and continue his translation work in hiding. In 1535, while working on his translation of the Old Testament, Tyndale was betrayed and arrested in Antwerp, Belgium. One year later, he was burned at the stake as a martyr.

Today, this small volume is one of fewer than 10 copies that survive of Tyndale’s Pentateuch. We hope you enjoy exploring this piece of history with Dr. Liana Lupas!