Delitzsch,

Delitzsch, FRANZ, a learned theologian and Hebraist, born at Leipzig, February 23, 1813, studied theology and oriental studies at the university there, and became professor of Theology at Rostock in 1846, whence he was called to Erlangen in 1850, and to Leipzig in 1867. Delitzsch's vast learning and exegetical sagacity combined to give him a foremost place among the more conservative German theologians, while his great personal influence over a generation of Leipzig students, and a long series of profoundly learned books, contributed enormously to extend a sound knowledge of Old Testament exegesis not only in Germany, but in England and America. His earliest works were in the field of the post-biblical Jewish literature, followed by his commentaries on Habakkuk, Song of Solomon, Genesis, the Psalms; and to the complete commentary on the Old Testament, edited jointly with Keil, Delitzsch himself contributed the volumes devoted to Isaiah, Job, Solomon's Proverbs, Canticles, and Ecclesiastes. Later works are his System der biblischen Psychologie (1855), System der christ. Apologetik (1869), Jesus und Hillel (1867), Jüd. Handwerkerleben zur Zeit Jesu (1868). His commentary on Genesis (1887) made large concessions to the critical theory of the Pentateuch. He died 3d March 1890.—His son, FRIEDRICH DELITZSCH, born 3d September 1850, has already made a great reputation as an Assyriologist by his Assyr. Studien (1874), his translation of George Smith's Chaldean Account of Genesis (1876), his Assyr. Lesestücke (1878), Wo lag das Paradies? (1881), and his great Assyr. Wörterbuch (1887 et seq.).