Skip to content

A Crown for the King
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Crown for the King Hardcover - 1998

by Solomon Ibn Gabirol; David R. Slavitt (Translator)


From the publisher

Solomon ibn Gabirol (ca. 1021--ca. 1058) was the greatest of the Spanish Jewish poets and an important neoplatonist philosopher. Translated into Latin in the mid-twelfth century, his philosophical work became influential among scholars who were unaware that Avicebron (as his last name was
Latinized) was a Jew and a celebrated writer of religious hymns. The Royal Crown (or, "A Crown for the King" in Slavitt's translation) is the greatest of Gabirols poems. Bernard Lewis has called it one of the major works of Hebrew literature since the completion of the Old Testament. Its theme is
the problem of the human predicament: the frailty of man and his proclivity to sin, in tension with a benign providence that must leave room for the operation of man's free will and also make available to him the means of penitence. The Royal Crown is still printed in prayerbooks of the Sephardic
rite for the Day of Atonement, and among North African Jewish communities (and their offshoots in Israel and elsewhere) it is read communally before the morning service of the Day. In northern Europe and the West this custom has lapsed, however the Royal Crown is still used for private penitential
reading. David Slavitts inspired translation of this classic poem into contemporary English--printed with the Hebrew text on facing pages--will make the Royal Crown newly available and accessible to students and scholars of medieval Jewish literature and philosophy and to the general public as well.

From the rear cover

Solomon ibn Gabirol (ca. 1021 - ca. 1058) was the greatest of the Spanish Jewish poets and an important neoplatonist philosopher. Translated into Latin in the mid-twelfth century, his philosophical work became influential among scholars who were unaware that "Avicebron" (as his last name was Latinized) was a Jew and a celebrated writer of religious hymns. The Royal Crown (or, "A Crown for the King" in Slavitt's translation) is the greatest of Gabirol's poems. Its theme is the problem of the human predicament: the frailty of man and his proclivity to sin, in tension with a benign providence that must leave room for the operation of man's free will and also make available to him the means of penitence. The Royal Crown is still printed in prayerbooks of the Sephardic rite for the Day of Atonement, and among North African Jewish communities (and their offshoots in Israel and elsewhere) it is read communally before the morning service of the Day. In northern Europe and the West this custom has lapsed, however the Royal Crown is still used for private penitential reading. David Slavitt's inspired translation of this classic poem into contemporary English - printed with the Hebrew text on facing pages - will make the Royal Crown newly available and accessible to students and scholars of medieval Jewish literature and philosophy and to the general public as well.

Details

  • Title A Crown for the King
  • Author Solomon Ibn Gabirol; David R. Slavitt (Translator)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 112
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Oxford University Press, USA, New York
  • Date 1998-11
  • ISBN 9780195119626 / 0195119622
  • Weight 0.66 lbs (0.30 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.55 x 5.82 x 0.62 in (21.72 x 14.78 x 1.57 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: Medieval (500-1453) Studies
    • Ethnic Orientation: Jewish
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 97042452
  • Dewey Decimal Code 892.412

About the author


About the Translator:
David R. Slavitt is a renowned poet, novelist, journalist, critic, and translator. Also the translator of The Hymns of Prudentius, he has taught at Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Philadelphia.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

A Crown for the King
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Crown for the King

by Gabirol, Solomon Ibn

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
UsedGood
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780195119626
ISBN 10
0195119622
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tucker, Georgia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$17.70
NZ$7.58 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. All orders ship by next business day! This is a used hardcover book. Has no markings on pages. Pages have moderate wear. Dust jacket is included and has wear/tears. The cover/boards have moderate wear. Spine has been opened/creased. Has ex library labels/markings. For USED books, we cannot guarantee supplemental materials such as CDs, DVDs, access codes and other materials. We are a small company and very thankful for your business!
Item Price
NZ$17.70
NZ$7.58 shipping to USA
A Crown for the King
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Crown for the King

by Solomon Ibn Gabirol; Translator-David R. Slavitt

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780195119626
ISBN 10
0195119622
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$37.31
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Oxford University Press, USA, 1998-11-26. Hardcover. Used: Good.
Item Price
NZ$37.31
FREE shipping to USA
A Crown for the King
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Crown for the King

by Gabirol, Solomon Ibn

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780195119626
ISBN 10
0195119622
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Olathe, Kansas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$50.63
NZ$8.43 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Oxford University Press, 1998. Book. Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. First printing.
Item Price
NZ$50.63
NZ$8.43 shipping to USA
A Crown for the King
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Crown for the King

by Solomon Ibn Gabirol, David R. Slavitt (Translator)

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780195119626
ISBN 10
0195119622
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$80.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Oxford University Press, USA, 1998-11-26. Hardcover. Used:Good.
Item Price
NZ$80.51
FREE shipping to USA
A Crown for the King
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Crown for the King

by Gabirol, Solomon Ibn; Slavitt, David R. [Translator]

  • New
  • Hardcover
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780195119626
ISBN 10
0195119622
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$136.01
NZ$9.21 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Oxford University Press. Hardcover. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
NZ$136.01
NZ$9.21 shipping to USA