This edition of Don Yitzchak Abarbanel’s famous commentary was printed in Hanau in 1710. It is a bulky book and comes with a Latin preface and dedication (which I have to admit, despite four years of grammar school Latin, I can barely read), as well as rabbinical haskomos (approbations)
Rabbi Don Isaac ben Judah Abravanel (Abarbanel) was a Portuguese rabbi, scholar, Bible commentator, philosopher, and statesman. He was born into a wealthy and learned family in Portugal. His father Judah was state treasurer of Portugal, and a great favorite of Alfonso V, king of Portugal. Isaac received a thorough Jewish education, and took a keen interest in languages and philosophy. Later he succeeded his father in the service of the king.
He was a financier and diplomat, influential among the wealthy Christians in Portugal and was a powerful figure in the Portuguese court. However, with the accession of John II in 1481, and anti-Jewish sentiments in the church, R. Abarbanel escaped over the border into the Spanish town of Segura de la Orden in 1483. The following year King Ferdinand invited him to be the collector of royal revenues, even though the Spanish Inquisition was in full swing. After having provided Ferdinand and Isabella with the monies needed to take Grenada, Abarbanel was shocked to learn that they had decided to expel all Jews from Spain.
In May, 1492, Abarbanel found himself under tremendous pressure to convert and retain his status in the Spanish court. He refused, and headed for Naples.
In Naples, he planned to concentrate on writing his commentary to the Bible. However, he was again employed by the king to be the prime tax collector. He and the king had to flee from the French. Abarbanel lost his library. He finally settled in Venice in 1503, where he died in 1508, on the 10th Av.
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