Scarce first edition of Geneva Hebrew bible, with the Megillot placed at the end of the Torah volume without a separate title page. This bible in based on earlier Venice editions, as other bibles by the same printer (known more widely by his Christian name Petrus de la Rouière). Due to the similarity in the Hebrew spelling of Geneva and Genoa this bible is often mistakenly attributed to the latter location.

Efraim Philemon Petri (1860-1924) was born Jewish in Taurage, Lithuania. He moved to Sweden, where he converted to Christianity and was baptised in 1881. In 1901 he moved to Nakskov, Denmark, and joined the Israel Mission. He lived in Copenhagen since 1908 and was enlisted as a travelling preacher. He died on his way to Jerusalem in February 1924 and was buried in the Protestant cemetery of Mount Zion.

First edition. 4to, vocalized Hebrew text, two columns per page; publisher's embossed and gilt calf with later professional repairs to inner binding, upper and lower spine slightly chipped, embossed edges, repaired closed tear to title. Many handwritten notes in text in old brown and red ink; pages numbered in ink by the same hand, with contents added in handwriting at the last free endpaper; old ownership inscription to back endpaper and later ownership inscription to front free leaf by E. P. Petri. 983 pp.

Heller, The Seventeenth Century Hebrew Book, vol. I, pp. 380-381; Darlow & Moule 5118.